“What should we pay attention to on a college visit?”
The Short Answer: Treat the visit as research, not just a sales presentation. Enjoy the experience—but watch carefully. Your athlete is trying to picture an ordinary Tuesday at the school, not just an exciting recruiting weekend.
As our daughter’s process evolved, team bond and the genuine relationship between athletes and coaches became the deciding factors. A campus visit gives the athlete a chance to feel things that a website, ranking, or phone call can never show—and writing down reactions before leaving town prevents visits from blurring together.
How to Run the “Ordinary Tuesday” Test on Any Campus Visit
Official and unofficial recruiting visits are designed to impress you: trying on uniforms under stadium lights, eating at the best local restaurant, and attending a big Saturday game. To see the real 4-year experience, strip away the recruiting weekend hype:
- Watch the People: How do teammates interact when the coach walks away? Do players look relaxed around the coaching staff?
- See the Whole School: Walk through the academic building for your major, freshman dorms, the regular student dining hall, and the surrounding town when classes are in session.
- Ask the Ordinary Tuesday Question: “Would I want to wake up here at 6:30 a.m. on a cold, rainy Tuesday in November when there is no game, no visit itinerary, and no coach trying to recruit me?”
- Don’t Decide in the Parking Lot: Before driving home, have the athlete and parent each complete Worksheet 12 (Campus Visit Scorecard) separately—then compare notes.
A charismatic player host, a brand-new locker room, or an electric Saturday game-day crowd can create a powerful 24-hour high. Make sure your decision still holds up 72 hours after the excitement wears off.
Ask yourself: Would I want to be here when there is no game, no visit itinerary and no coach trying to recruit me?
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Companion Printable Sheet: Worksheet 12: Campus Visit Scorecard (Page 44 of Playbook / Page 13 of Workbook)
Chapter 17 Frequently Asked Questions
Why shouldn't an athlete commit in the parking lot at the end of a visit?
The emotional high of being wanted by a coaching staff on campus can temporarily mask red flags in academic fit, net cost, or roster depth. Sleeping on the decision for a few days and comparing your written scorecard notes protects your family from buyer's remorse.
Why should parents and athletes score the campus visit separately first?
When a parent speaks first in the car ride home ('I loved that campus!' or 'I didn't like that dorm'), the athlete often adjusts their opinion to please or argue with the parent. Scoring 1–5 independently first lets the athlete's authentic gut feeling come out.
Helpful Family Recruiting Gear for Chapter 17
Student-Athlete Recruiting Organizer Binder & Tab Dividers
Keep printed Playbook worksheets, school lists, and campus visit scorecards organized in one place.
Smartphone Tripod for Recruiting Videos & Training Clips
Capture steady, coach-ready game and training footage without camera shake.
Disclosure: As an Amazon Associate, CollegeRecruitingPlaybook.com earns from qualifying purchases (`tag=neccalchub-20`). We only recommend practical gear families actually use during filming, travel, and campus visits.