A productive college visit is your “backstage pass” to the college recruiting process. This is a great way to get a “look under the hood” to determine if the institution is a potential “match.” Furthermore, prospects who maximizing campus visits position themselves best on the radar screen of college coaches.
If you are serious about a specific group of colleges on your list, there is no better time for a casual visit to campus than the summer. These visits might not have the same feel and energy as a fall college visit. If the visits are well-planned, you will walk away feeling better informed and more confident.
Summertime is an ideal time to connect with college coaches on campus, but do not just show up! E-mail the coach two weeks before your visit and convey your tentative visit plans and let her know you and your family would be excited to meet and learn more about the program.
Let the coach know you will follow up by phone to confirm the office visit. Remember, there are new NCAA recruiting contact rules in effect. You are now permitted to interview with coaches beginning June 15 after your sophomore year in high school!
In addition, while college visits are extremely important.
Campus visits require a leap of faith into unknown territory that can initially be nerve-racking! College coaches are like hot potatoes during the summer. You want to maximize campus visits, but college coaches can be difficult to track down without proactive communication.
Organize
Schedule a family meeting and share your calendars. Roughly identify potential campus visit dates that work for everyone. Consider 2-3 alternative dates and be prepared to work around conflicting commitments.
Campus Tour
Contact the admissions office and register for an information session and tour. These events fill up quickly so be sure to reserve your spot.
Contact Coach
Contact the college coach 2 weeks before your planned visit and determine his availability to meet with you and your parents. E-mail the coach and share your campus visit plans. Include exact information and let the coach know the date you plan to visit and the time of the tour and information session. Express your desire to personally meet with the coach while on campus.
Follow-up
In addition, college coaches are bound to very strict contact rules and, in many cases, cannot respond to the e-mail you sent regarding the visit. Leave nothing to chance. Follow-up your e-mail to coach with a phone call and confirm the meeting.
Prepare
Below are a few simple but impactful tips in preparing for the campus visit:
- Research each college you plan to visit and develop a statement to why the institution is a potential all-around match.
- Approach the meeting like you would approach a job interview and come to the meeting organized and well-prepared.
- Develop a portfolio that includes a cover letter, personal profile, transcripts, test scores, and a current coach testimonial. Organize this information in a nice, professional-looking portfolio.
Prospective student-athletes who maximize campus visits can make a significant impression on college coaches. Campus visits offer great opportunities to get an initial look at colleges and a “feel” for the environment. Develop a general inventory of the coach, her program, and where he sees the program heading in the future. This is a great way to jump-start the recruiting process and build some momentum!
Tom Kovic is a former Division I college coach and Founder/Principal Advisor at Victory Collegiate Consulting, where he advises prospects and families on college recruiting. For more information, visit https://victoryrecruiting.com
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