Questions for High School Student Athletes to Ask during College Recruitment Visits
It is incredibly exciting to schedule official visits during college recruitment. And, it is totally normal, expected even, for anxiety to set in as student athletes prepare for their trips.
At Athlete Insight, we KNOW that preparation breeds confidence. With this in mind, following is a list of questions to help student athletes leave visits with the information needed to make an informed decisions about their potential opportunities.
Questions to Ask a College Coach during Official Visit
How do you manage the training load for your players?
How involved are you in supporting academics?
How often do players meet 1-on-1 with you for feedback?
What fitness requirements/ tests does the team have for pre-season?
What does off-season look like?
How do you structure and decide on scholarships?
What requirements does the team have for study hall hours?
What approaches do you use to build cohesive teams?
What are the team’s core values?
What support staff is available to players? (Athletic trainers, nutritionists, strength and conditioning, counselors, etc.)
How many athletes are already committed for my grade? In my position?
How frequently do your redshirt freshman versus roster them for competiton?
Questions to Ask Current Team Athletes during Official Visit
Where does everyone live?
Do freshmen have to live together or somewhere specific?
How are the dining hall options?
What does a normal week of training and practices look like?
What is the offseason like?
Does the coach stick to their word?
How is mental health supported on the team?
What NIL opportunities are available to players?
How many teammates work jobs in addition to participating in team requirements?
How much does the team hang out together and/or in small groups?
What is the most popular major on the team?
How often does the team party?
What are the team’s values?
How does the team travel to away competitions?
How much class time do you miss during the season?
How are injuries treated here?
What resources are available to athletes? (Academically, nutritionally, mental health, etc.)
Why did you decide to go here?
How supportive is the school and professors of student athletes?
What other teams on campus do you mingle with?
Questions to Ask Academic Advisors during Official Visit
What is the minimum GPA required to maintain eligibility?
What academic scholarships are offered by the school?
What scholarships can be combined with an athletic scholarship?
Do you have someone here who helps student athletes navigate FAFSA?
How many students graduate from the academic program that they started?
Will my high school AP or concurrent courses count towards college credit?
What work-study opportunities are available on campus?
What is the four-year graduation rate? Do student athletes graduate sooner or later?
What academic programs are the school known for?
What are the housing requirements for freshmen?
What support do I receive for course registration? Do student athletes have unique or different access to course registration?
Questions to Ask Oneself During/After an Official Visit
How welcoming does the campus feel?
Do I envision myself thriving in this environment?
Would I attend this school if I wasn’t pursuing sports?
How many of my non-negotiables are supported and/or compromised by this school, campus, or athletic program?
Would I feel comfortable leaning on this team for support both within and outside of sport?
Do I get the sense that this coach will support me if something goes wrong?
How do I feel about the distance from my family?
How closely does this program align with my values?
Some official visits will make a student athlete’s decision crystal clear - either the school and/or athletic program was a strong fit or a total misfit. However, often times, student athletes find themselves sorting through many good fits with no obvious best fit. In these moments, we encourage athletes to create decision-making grids and to reflect on their core values to identify the program that best matches their values, needs, and goals.
Need help identifying your core values, navigating recruitment or making tough decisions? Schedule a discovery call today to explore how Athlete Insight can support you through this process.