Making the most of your college visits
College visits, both official and unofficial, are important to finding out if a school is the best fit for you. Although soccer will be a massive part of your four years, there are other factors in making sure a school is the right one. If you suffer a long term injury or an injury that rules you out from playing soccer completely, would you still want to go to this school? Keep this question in mind during the duration of your recruiting process, but especially on a visit.
If you’re able to meet players on the team during your visit, it’s important to see if you gel with them. Find out about the team culture. Some teams can be more laid back while others can be more intense. No one team culture is necessarily better than another, but consider if they atmosphere would work for you.
Make sure to find time to watch a game preferably or even a practice while you are on campus. Does their style of play suit you? Is the coaching style right for you? Is the team lacking in the position or positions that you play? All of these are good questions to ask yourself if you get this opportunity.
The layout of the campus can also be a good indicator of whether or not you will enjoy your time at the school. College visits are a great chance to truly visualize yourself actually going to class at that school and hanging out in the dorms. Make sure to checkout the freshmen dorms. For some students, your living accommodations can be a difference maker between schools.
If class size is something that matters to you, take the option to sit in on a class, either on your own or with one of the players from the team. Class size will differ across programs so consider meeting with your preferred program and asking detailed questions about classes. Getting a good feel of how classes and the environment should be part of your decision making process.
Each college will have a different vibe on campus. The right school is out there for you so take time on your visits and remember this can be a fun process.
