College Recruiting Question Re: Visits

[Anonymous]

My daughter (junior) was contacted by a few college coaches after last spring's ECNL showcase and has continued conversations (email and phone) with two of them whose schools align with her academic interests. One of these coaches has invited her for a visit (to include a personal meeting with coaches, tour of athletic facilities, and opportunity to watch a home game) but hasn't offered to pay for her travel (it's a long drive or short flight away). Said she can't stay with player due to covid restrictions (totally understandable) so will require hotel stay. This is a mid-level program (ranked in the top half of D1 programs in the low hundreds). Does this mean they're only marginally interested? Asked another way, is it typical for D1 programs to pay travel expenses for these kinds of visits, or is that only for top programs? Just trying to manage daughter's expectations in terms of their level of interest. Cost of trip doesn't create hardship for us - just more of a question about whether this indicates casual interest.

Thanks in advance for advice. First timer here.

[Anonymous]

Check out this FB Group: https://www.facebook.com/recruitinghelp

[Anonymous]

Excellent question and I'd like more information from those who've gone through this type of process. Thanks OP

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My daughter (junior) was contacted by a few college coaches after last spring's ECNL showcase and has continued conversations (email and phone) with two of them whose schools align with her academic interests. One of these coaches has invited her for a visit (to include a personal meeting with coaches, tour of athletic facilities, and opportunity to watch a home game) but hasn't offered to pay for her travel (it's a long drive or short flight away). Said she can't stay with player due to covid restrictions (totally understandable) so will require hotel stay. This is a mid-level program (ranked in the top half of D1 programs in the low hundreds). Does this mean they're only marginally interested? Asked another way, is it typical for D1 programs to pay travel expenses for these kinds of visits, or is that only for top programs? Just trying to manage daughter's expectations in terms of their level of interest. Cost of trip doesn't create hardship for us - just more of a question about whether this indicates casual interest.

Thanks in advance for advice. First timer here.

Look up the rules regarding official and unofficial visit. This sounds like unofficial since they are not paying.

[Anonymous]

OP here - yes, I understand the difference between an official vs unofficial visit. Sorry if not clear - I was asking whether the fact that's it an unofficial visit means they're only marginally interested, or if this is not unusual for non-revenue sports programs like women's soccer who may have limited recruiting budgets.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP here - yes, I understand the difference between an official vs unofficial visit. Sorry if not clear - I was asking whether the fact that's it an unofficial visit means they're only marginally interested, or if this is not unusual for non-revenue sports programs like women's soccer who may have limited recruiting budgets.

Things have changed, but in the past they would try to get an unofficial visit in before a commitment prior to offering an official visit. Budgets are tight so they would use the money for officials only after a commitment. Some of the logic, valid or not, was that a kid truly interested in the school would visit on their own dime.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP here - yes, I understand the difference between an official vs unofficial visit. Sorry if not clear - I was asking whether the fact that's it an unofficial visit means they're only marginally interested, or if this is not unusual for non-revenue sports programs like women's soccer who may have limited recruiting budgets.

They are interested enough to want to meet in person and spend actual time with her so it is excellent in that regards. When it turns into an official visit then it is serious and you may have an offer already by that point.

On campus visits didn't happen at all last year so based on that alone this should feel like a miracle.

[Anonymous]

It’s not a lock but they are not inviting people for unofficial visits if they are marginally interested.

[Anonymous]

Thanks all! Appreciate the input.

[Anonymous]

Usually official visits (paid) happen after committing, and are done in fall of senior year with the entire recruiting class. My DDs did unofficial visits to the schools they ended up commuting to after the unofficial.

[Anonymous]

I would say the reality is that soccer teams do not have much in the way of recruiting budgets. If your kid can get there they would like to see them, but they cannot pay to have your kid come to campus.

With my kid we treated recruiting like you would a job search. Take all invites that made sense to consider (no, not going to pay to fly to a school that you have no real interest in going too.). Campus visits are essentially day long interviews. How your kid dresses, acts, relates to the coaches and players are important. The goal was to get an offer.

Sadly, my kid’s initial number 1 choice was her first visit. It did not go great. She did not dress the part, did not have questions and answers practiced. It was a fumble. I then made her practice with our friends playing the role of a coach, and she did two campus visits at schools she was not interested in attending for more practice. She ended up doing 12 campus visits and got reasonably good at doing them and getting a decent offer.

Basically, the goal appearance wise was to look like you were already on the team. To have several questions rehearsed that showed you knew something about the team and the school. Coach asks, “What are you thinking of studying?” How do you think a coach would consider Response 1; “I don’t know for sure, maybe something in business.” Response 2; “Right now I am thinking business finance. I spoke with Asst. Dean Smith and we talked about options for business majors. She has been great and I scheduled another telephone conference.”

Coach asks, “Do you have any questions for me?” (They always ask this.). Interview skills need to kick in. They will not without practice. Has your kid ever sat down and had a 30 minute conversation with an adult they did not know? What if your kid has a good interview question practiced and ready like, “I have been playing center and wing miss’s for my club team, and forward for my high school team. It looks to me like you have 6 players coming back who play mid, where do you think I fit in your plans?” Can your kid then pick up some point in the coach’s response to keep a conversation going? Your kid does not need a ton of questions, but 3-4 planned and practiced ones are needed.

Your kid wants the coach to think that your kid is serious about coming to his/her school.

What else?

Before visiting spend time on the website. Your kid should know (1) how the team did the last couple years (2) generally who is returning to play - names not needed but some idea where players stand and how things look for her incoming year. Loaded with Juniors and Seniors or is there a big freshman class etc….

What is the town/city/campus like?

Have some questions ready for players. Recruits are really only going to interact with players the coach wants them to meet. What do they think of the dorm? What is travel like? Do they do stuff with older/younger teammates? What’s off-season training like? What do they think of the coach?

College is once again a very different dynamic than club or high school. College coaches are not at all interested in hearing from parents. It is a produce or die environment and it can take some getting used too. And, older teammates are happy if you can help the team - as long as you are not taking their playing time. But, mostly juniors and seniors have their own things going so it is typically not a social situation. And, being on a college team is way to much time and effort to not play. For every school your kid is interested in - take a look at the players on the current team. Count up the seniors. Go back 4 years. Count up the freshman. How many quit prior to senior year? If it is about 50% then that’s about average. It is a ton of work to not play. Your kid has to be ready from Day 1.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My daughter (junior) was contacted by a few college coaches after last spring's ECNL showcase and has continued conversations (email and phone) with two of them whose schools align with her academic interests. One of these coaches has invited her for a visit (to include a personal meeting with coaches, tour of athletic facilities, and opportunity to watch a home game) but hasn't offered to pay for her travel (it's a long drive or short flight away). Said she can't stay with player due to covid restrictions (totally understandable) so will require hotel stay. This is a mid-level program (ranked in the top half of D1 programs in the low hundreds). Does this mean they're only marginally interested? Asked another way, is it typical for D1 programs to pay travel expenses for these kinds of visits, or is that only for top programs? Just trying to manage daughter's expectations in terms of their level of interest. Cost of trip doesn't create hardship for us - just more of a question about whether this indicates casual interest.

Thanks in advance for advice. First timer here.

This is a pretty typical scenario for mid-major recruiting right now. Programs only have money for so many "official visits" so these are saved typically for locking down deals. Schools may have several recruits on a short list visit unofficially, then make their selection and finish with an official visit. This year, true official visits are few and far between due to the budget shortfalls and the inability to host recruits on campus. In fact, your player may not even get an "official visit" and be made an offer without it.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I would say the reality is that soccer teams do not have much in the way of recruiting budgets. If your kid can get there they would like to see them, but they cannot pay to have your kid come to campus.

With my kid we treated recruiting like you would a job search. Take all invites that made sense to consider (no, not going to pay to fly to a school that you have no real interest in going too.). Campus visits are essentially day long interviews. How your kid dresses, acts, relates to the coaches and players are important. The goal was to get an offer.

Sadly, my kid’s initial number 1 choice was her first visit. It did not go great. She did not dress the part, did not have questions and answers practiced. It was a fumble. I then made her practice with our friends playing the role of a coach, and she did two campus visits at schools she was not interested in attending for more practice. She ended up doing 12 campus visits and got reasonably good at doing them and getting a decent offer.

Basically, the goal appearance wise was to look like you were already on the team. To have several questions rehearsed that showed you knew something about the team and the school. Coach asks, “What are you thinking of studying?” How do you think a coach would consider Response 1; “I don’t know for sure, maybe something in business.” Response 2; “Right now I am thinking business finance. I spoke with Asst. Dean Smith and we talked about options for business majors. She has been great and I scheduled another telephone conference.”

Coach asks, “Do you have any questions for me?” (They always ask this.). Interview skills need to kick in. They will not without practice. Has your kid ever sat down and had a 30 minute conversation with an adult they did not know? What if your kid has a good interview question practiced and ready like, “I have been playing center and wing miss’s for my club team, and forward for my high school team. It looks to me like you have 6 players coming back who play mid, where do you think I fit in your plans?” Can your kid then pick up some point in the coach’s response to keep a conversation going? Your kid does not need a ton of questions, but 3-4 planned and practiced ones are needed.

Your kid wants the coach to think that your kid is serious about coming to his/her school.

What else?

Before visiting spend time on the website. Your kid should know (1) how the team did the last couple years (2) generally who is returning to play - names not needed but some idea where players stand and how things look for her incoming year. Loaded with Juniors and Seniors or is there a big freshman class etc….

What is the town/city/campus like?

Have some questions ready for players. Recruits are really only going to interact with players the coach wants them to meet. What do they think of the dorm? What is travel like? Do they do stuff with older/younger teammates? What’s off-season training like? What do they think of the coach?

College is once again a very different dynamic than club or high school. College coaches are not at all interested in hearing from parents. It is a produce or die environment and it can take some getting used too. And, older teammates are happy if you can help the team - as long as you are not taking their playing time. But, mostly juniors and seniors have their own things going so it is typically not a social situation. And, being on a college team is way to much time and effort to not play. For every school your kid is interested in - take a look at the players on the current team. Count up the seniors. Go back 4 years. Count up the freshman. How many quit prior to senior year? If it is about 50% then that’s about average. It is a ton of work to not play. Your kid has to be ready from Day 1.

Wow great response. I need to bookemark (not OP)

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I would say the reality is that soccer teams do not have much in the way of recruiting budgets. If your kid can get there they would like to see them, but they cannot pay to have your kid come to campus.

With my kid we treated recruiting like you would a job search. Take all invites that made sense to consider (no, not going to pay to fly to a school that you have no real interest in going too.). Campus visits are essentially day long interviews. How your kid dresses, acts, relates to the coaches and players are important. The goal was to get an offer.

Sadly, my kid’s initial number 1 choice was her first visit. It did not go great. She did not dress the part, did not have questions and answers practiced. It was a fumble. I then made her practice with our friends playing the role of a coach, and she did two campus visits at schools she was not interested in attending for more practice. She ended up doing 12 campus visits and got reasonably good at doing them and getting a decent offer.

Basically, the goal appearance wise was to look like you were already on the team. To have several questions rehearsed that showed you knew something about the team and the school. Coach asks, “What are you thinking of studying?” How do you think a coach would consider Response 1; “I don’t know for sure, maybe something in business.” Response 2; “Right now I am thinking business finance. I spoke with Asst. Dean Smith and we talked about options for business majors. She has been great and I scheduled another telephone conference.”

Coach asks, “Do you have any questions for me?” (They always ask this.). Interview skills need to kick in. They will not without practice. Has your kid ever sat down and had a 30 minute conversation with an adult they did not know? What if your kid has a good interview question practiced and ready like, “I have been playing center and wing miss’s for my club team, and forward for my high school team. It looks to me like you have 6 players coming back who play mid, where do you think I fit in your plans?” Can your kid then pick up some point in the coach’s response to keep a conversation going? Your kid does not need a ton of questions, but 3-4 planned and practiced ones are needed.

Your kid wants the coach to think that your kid is serious about coming to his/her school.

What else?

Before visiting spend time on the website. Your kid should know (1) how the team did the last couple years (2) generally who is returning to play - names not needed but some idea where players stand and how things look for her incoming year. Loaded with Juniors and Seniors or is there a big freshman class etc….

What is the town/city/campus like?

Have some questions ready for players. Recruits are really only going to interact with players the coach wants them to meet. What do they think of the dorm? What is travel like? Do they do stuff with older/younger teammates? What’s off-season training like? What do they think of the coach?

College is once again a very different dynamic than club or high school. College coaches are not at all interested in hearing from parents. It is a produce or die environment and it can take some getting used too. And, older teammates are happy if you can help the team - as long as you are not taking their playing time. But, mostly juniors and seniors have their own things going so it is typically not a social situation. And, being on a college team is way to much time and effort to not play. For every school your kid is interested in - take a look at the players on the current team. Count up the seniors. Go back 4 years. Count up the freshman. How many quit prior to senior year? If it is about 50% then that’s about average. It is a ton of work to not play. Your kid has to be ready from Day 1.

Wow great response. I need to bookemark (not OP)

Mostly agree, but 12 schools is too many. Have a more realistic view of soccer and academic qualifications to narrow the list down.