90 The Sports Scholarships Insider’s Guide
program pays little attention to you on the unofficial visit, the
least you have is some very valuable information about the
potential of receiving financial aid for your athletic ability.
You may take one “official visit” per school and five total
official visits. Be sure you visit only colleges in which you are
interested. It’s unfair to waste other people’s time, but more
importantly, don’t waste your own time. An official visit must
always be followed by a sincere thank-you note, no matter if
you’re recruited by that college or not. After all, the program
has invested time, financial, and personnel resources in you.
On any visit you must try to speak with faculty and staff in
many different departments of the college, in particular:
- Admissions Office
- Financial Aid Office
- Housing
- Athletic Department
- Department head of your intended major field of study
Be certain to examine all the facilities that will directly
impact your life on that campus:
- dorms
- athletic facilities
- dining facilities
- laboratories
- classrooms
- student union
- library
Get a feel for the campus ambiance, as well.
Recruiting Is Too Often Unfair!
While being asked to visit is a very positive step toward being
successfully recruited, a cold dousing of reality is needed here. As