Does An Official Visit Mean An Offer?
Throughout the recruiting process, you’ve been waiting for that moment when a coach finally tells you that they want you to play for them. Once you receive an invite to an official visit to a college, you might be thinking that the moment is here. But does an official visit guarantee that you will get an offer?
An offer is not guaranteed during an official visit, but it is common for coaches to make offers on an official visit. Coaches often use an official visit as a time to evaluate your athletic abilities, personality and fit with the team. These factors play into whether or not they give you an offer, but it doesn’t necessarily mean that you will get an offer by the end of the visit. Coaches will only extend official visit invites to a select number of recruits because of the high cost of financing an official visit, so getting an invite is an excellent sign.
Coaches meet with each potential recruit one on one during official visits. During this meeting, you can ask questions to see how much of a chance you have at getting an offer. You should prepare for your meeting with the coach by knowing what you will say if the coach makes an offer (and how you will respond if they don’t).
What Is An Official Visit?
An official visit is an all-expenses-paid visit to a school’s campus. A visit usually includes a tour of the university—including dorms, dining halls and athletic facilities. You’ll also get a chance to meet the team and possibly work out with them. The admissions and financial aid departments will provide specifics on admissions requirements and financial aid opportunities during an official visit, as well.
All-Expenses-Paid: So what exactly does all-expenses-paid for mean? The NCAA regulates how much colleges can pay for, but generally, the entire cost of your trip is covered. Schools will pay for transportation to and from the university, accommodations, meals and tickets to an athletic event. If you’re visiting a smaller school that’s operating on a tighter budget, your school may pay for less of these items.
Talk With The Coach: During an official visit, you and your parents will have an opportunity to talk with the coach. Coaches will want to know what other schools are recruiting you and when you can commit. Be honest with them about other schools you’re considering, but if a coach knows you’re considering a rival or comparable school, they might make an offer sooner. Always be respectful and polite during conversations with a coach, and be clear about what you’re thinking of doing.
Before Going On An Official Visit: Before you go on an official visit, get a sense of where you are in the recruiting class. Ask the coach some questions before you leave for the campus. This way, you won’t be blindsided if you don’t get an offer.
An official visit isn’t exactly a guarantee that you’ll get an offer, but it is a good sign. Going on an official visit gives you a chance to evaluate the school and program. For coaches, official visits are check-ins to see what you’re thinking and how you interact with their team.
What To Do During An Official Visit?
An invitation for an official visit can seem intimidating at first. It may seem like there’s a lot you need to do to prepare for an official visit. It’s a good idea to do some research and prepare some questions before heading off to a campus visit. Coaches will often make offers during an official visit, so knowing how you will respond is vital.
Parents: Parents or guardians are welcome to attend an official visit. Schools recognize the importance of a parent’s support during the recruiting process and can pay for their transportation (if you are traveling in the same car as the athlete), accommodations, meals and tickets during an official visit. Parents should let their child ask most of the questions and engage with the coach and team during the tour. The student-athlete is the one being recruited, not the parent.
Ask Questions: Be sure to ask any questions you might have during an official visit. You’ll be able to talk with a wide range of people on campus, including coaches, team members and financial aid and admissions staff. Take this chance to talk with them in-person about any concerns or questions you might have.
Evaluate The Fit: The most important thing to do during an official visit is to assess if the school is the right fit for you. Can you imagine yourself living on campus and playing for the team? Do you work well with the coach? Are there any financial or academic obstacles that you need to consider? Thinking about what you want your college experience to be like will help you decide if the school makes sense for you whether or not you get an offer.
During an official visit, it can be easy to be immediately impressed by the campus tour and VIP treatment. It’s also easy to be distracted by being on your phone or taking lots of pictures for social media. Remember to be present and focus on envisioning yourself at the university. Approaching an official visit with this in mind will help you make a better decision when it comes time to compare offers.
When Can College Coaches Make You An Offer?
An official visit is an essential step in the recruiting process, and a necessary step to receive an offer from a coach. It’s popular for coaches to make offers during official visits, but there are other times when they can make scholarship offers. If you’ve been in close contact with college coaches, you’ll likely have an idea of where you are in their recruiting class, allowing you to predict whether an offer is coming your way.
Verbal Offers: According to the NCAA, verbal offers, or unofficial offers, cannot be extended until after August 1 or September 1, depending on the sport, of your junior year. A coach extends a verbal offer by asking a recruit to commit to playing for their program. It’s not official or legally binding until the recruit signs a National Letter of Intent in their senior year. Either the student-athlete or school can back out of the agreement before then.
Official Offers: An offer becomes official in a student-athlete’s senior year when they sign a National Letter of Intent. But before this final step, student-athletes will have received a verbal offer from a coach and have attended an official visit. It’s crucial to continue to communicate with the coaches at your top schools throughout the recruiting process. That way, you’ll have an idea of which schools you will get an offer from by the time your senior year comes.
There isn’t a set schedule for when college coaches make offers to recruits and going on an official visit doesn’t always mean you’ll be getting an offer.
Things To Keep In Mind
Unofficial Visits: An unofficial visit is similar to an official visit in that student-athletes tour campus and get a feel for the school. But unofficial visits aren’t financed by the school, so the student-athlete and their parents assume all costs. You may not be able to meet with the coach during an official visit, but it’s still a good idea to reach out and see if they have space in their schedule. You won’t get the VIP treatment on an unofficial visit, but these visits are still an excellent way to tell if you see yourself at that school.
NCAA Restrictions: The NCAA restricts student-athletes from attending more than five official visits. If you’re considering several schools or receive invites from more than five universities, you’ll have to prioritize your top choices. You can go on as many unofficial visits as you like, but you won’t get as much exposure to the team or coach on an unofficial visit.
Academic Eligibility: One key to getting an offer that student-athletes sometimes overlook is academic eligibility. Be sure to take the required classes and maintain a high enough GPA to be admitted to the schools you are targeting. This will remove any academic reason a college coach might not make you an offer.