By: Lisa Meyers
The summer months are traditionally a good time to blow off a little steam, but for college bound student-athletes these months are a prime opportunity to tour college campuses and schedule unofficial visits.
It is often difficult to schedule unofficial visits during the school year when student-athletes are burdened with academics, soccer schedules, and other sports and activities. During the summer there is typically more down time which makes it easier to visit college campuses. Any visit which is not paid for by the college or university is considered an unofficial visit. Familiarize yourself with this terminology and incorporate it into your dialogue with college coaches.
Do not limit your visits to one type of college or university. Exposure to various types of campuses (big, small, urban, rural, Division I, II, III and NAIA, for example) will prepare you for when you ultimately have to narrow down your list of preferences.
In addition to touring the campus and buying a t-shirt, always contact the soccer coach well in advance to arrange a meeting. Inform the coach that you are planning an unofficial visit to his/her school and that you are wondering if he/she will be available to meet with you. College coaches are usually very accommodating and are eager to speak with interested student-athletes and their parents. If a coach has yet to see you play in person, try to provide him/her with some video prior to your visit. During an unofficial visit, a student-athlete and his/her parent(s) will typically sit down and talk with the coach and tour the athletic facilities. If a coach has seen the athlete compete, they may offer feedback regarding their level of interest. Prepare some questions to ask the coach before you go. Keep in mind that the coach wants to hear from you, the athlete, not just your parents!
By initiating contact with the soccer coach in advance, you allow yourself to maximize your time spent on campus. When you get home, be sure follow up by sending the coach a personalized thank you note. It is now your responsibility to continue correspondence with the coach in order to maintain a relationship for the duration your high school career.
