<p>As an athlete who has multiple recruiting overnights this fall, I was wondering what to expect. Can anyone give any insight on the basics as well as things that the coach doesn't plan? Also, what should one bring on these trips? If it helps at all I am swimmer and my trips are all to NESCACS/D3 schools.</p>
<p>Good question. My swimmer is taking several D3 trips and we are not sure what to bring. I know that he will have an admissions interview on at least one of these.</p>
<p>Another big question: what do you wear?</p>
<p>You dress in nice casual clothes. Do not wear sloppy t-Shirts and b-ball shorts. My kid's coach said to be dressed respectfully when meeting with admissions. I think you want to show respect for the school, team and process. When going out in the evening, well that's with the team, not admissions or the coach.</p>
<p>Different sport but my son did quite a few. Is he going on his own or is this an "event"?Son only did overnights as a group. Things usually started with the coaches speaking to the families. Just the general talk about the school and admissions (often there was a rep from either admissions or FA or both) etc. Often they match up the recruits with an upperclassman "buddy". My son never had an admissions interview as part of a recruiting overnight.......but he did usually have a sit down, one on one with the head coach. Dress was always casual. Didnt really need to bring anything beyond what you'd need for the night/weekend. By this point the coaches have usually seen everything they need to - transcripts, test scores, athletic records, to know that the recruit would be a good fit academically and athletically.</p>
<p>"By this point the coaches have usually seen everything they need to - transcripts, test scores, athletic records, to know that the recruit would be a good fit academically and athletically."</p>
<p>Jobenny - So what did your son think was the determining factor that either led to an offer - or not? And when?</p>
<p>My daughter is going on two overnights this fall as well, for soccer. My take on it, at this point they want her, and the coach is trying to make sure that she is dedicated, and that the team doesn't report to the coach any red flags. But we are new to this, so any body out there who has a kid who has done an overnight, more info would be welcome</p>
<p>ElKyes, in my kids sport the coaches have said they are bringing anywhere from 2 times to 4 times the number of spots they have for Likelies. So I wonder, if everyone on OVs is wanted, what are they looking for/at in the end run. A vibe? Bad behavior or judgment? Improvement since the unofficials?</p>
<p>We feel that it is still very difficult to know where you stand. Originally my kid accepted only 2 OVs because we were certain of the choices. However, we expanded the OVs to four because of the uncertainty of ending up with any offers, given the numbers.</p>
<p>Terrafin, the best athletes have lots of options,so the coaches have to expect that their top choices won't necessarily choose their school. I think the coaches would be happy with any of the athletes they invite but they know they won't get all of their top top top choices so they need options, just like you have reaches and safeties. I suspect by the time the visit rolls around they already know how the athletes rank in their own minds, but need to sell their school to try to get their top choices.</p>
<p>Swimmer24, my d went on 4 NESCAC overnights for swimming last fall. In retrospect she regretted doing so many (she had non NESCAC overnights also--it was insane and I will recommend my s do fewer next year). They were relaxed and fun. There was an opportunity at each school to get into the water to make up missed practice. The one time d panicked over clothes was when she heard that there was a party involving a limo and she had only brought sneakers! My husband stopped at target or a similar place on the way there and they bought a pair of inexpensive flats. So you might want to have a multifunctional pair of shoes with you just in case! Relax, be yourself, that's the purpose of these visits. Remember you are checking them out, too. Ask yourself if you really want to live with those people, in those dorm rooms!</p>
<p>Swimmer24;</p>
<p>My daughter had 4 OV last year to NESCAC/Ivy schools. Here is what she would recommend you pack:</p>
<p>1) weather appropriate clothes, don't forget a sweatshirt--you'll most likely end up at some sporting event for the evening (soccer, football, etc.) Take flip flops or sandals, but you might want Sperry's too for night. Otherwise, shorts and nice shirt or jeans and nice shirt for nighttime. Admission interviews are fine not-short shorts and nice shirt or jeans with no holes and nice shirt.
2) shorts and tshirt to sleep in and all of your toiletries
3) check to see if you need to bring a pillow--most ask you to do so
4) something to study--homework in case you have downtime--and with 4 OV, every second counts on studying so you don't get behind
5) money--the swimmers will take you to the bookstore of their school most likely, might get ice cream, etc (sometimes ice cream would be covered, other times not)
6) small snack--not joking here--you never know when it comes in handy (granola bars, etc) Especially valuable if there's a time zone change when you travel.
7) cell phone--just to let Mom/Dad know you are doing okay--but severely limit the usage around the team--especially coaches.
8) a lot of flexibility and patience. Some visits will be action packed, some more laid back. A lot depends on your host/hostess as well. My D experienced everything from fraternity parties, card games in the dorm, coaches house dinners, movie watching, etc.</p>
<p>Of note, some people told us that recruits' level of interest in the school is judged by whether they buy apparel at the bookstore for that school (say a Harvard sweatshirt). Daughter just told them she was superstitious and would not buy anything of any school until she selected her school. It worked. We were glad--after she signed, she would not wear apparel of any other college other than the one she was attending.</p>
<p>Best of luck. OVs are fun, exciting, and extremely tiring. Playing catch up in school becomes a real challenge by the 4th visit.</p>
<p>As far as conduct is concerned--the coaches are definitely going to ask your host and others on the team to assess fit. Be on "your best behavior" during the weekend, turn down all alcohol offers (take a bottle of water into a party so there is something already in your hands), stay off your cell phone/video games/texting--except to check in with your parents to say "I'm safe and fine..."</p>
<p>Its almost like going to a dinner party--stay away from controversial topics while at the visit--if you have strong opinions on politics, religion, money, sex, etc don't talk about them while you visit. </p>
<p>Show the team you can have fun--participate in activities fully, show your good humor, etc. Be "in the moment."</p>
<p>concur with swim4school about the snack!!!!! Seriously!!! My d went on one particular OV where for some reason she couldn't get food (don't remember what the snag was...just the logistics didn't work out, the upperclassmen who were driving the recruits around missed the chance to pick up food, and the head coach meeting was scheduled inconveniently) and was violently hungry for hours and hours. I heartily recommend packing granola bars, apple sauces, long-life chocolate milk, trail mix--you know, swim meet snacks! Can't emphasize that part enough!</p>
<p>And about bookstore, FWIW my d didn't buy any school logo shirts, either. I think she really WAS superstitious, LOL. I don't know whether anyone drew conclusions from it--but she didn't buy a shirt from anywhere, and once she had gotten her acceptance we ordered a ton of stuff online. :)</p>
<p>While appearance certainly has its place, I'd focus more on what you say and do rather than what you bring. My two oldest sons have been on many, many official visits, unofficial visits and junior days. Your son or daughter will be looked at and evaluated through many athletes eyes as well as the coaches. Your son or daughter should be engaging and ask as many questions without prying. Questions about the various majors, workloads, practices, facilities, workout routines, competition within the conference, expectations, alumni network, in season travel, other team activities is a great place to start. I would request your son or daughter carefully observe the relationship between the coach and team. Who does most of the talking...asst coach or head coach? Who do the players respond to the most? Team chemistry and communication is huge for successful teams and programs.</p>
<p>In addition, I'd prepare your son or daughter in how to handle underage drinking. You can search this topic on CC Athletic Recruiting as it has been covered before. That is a big one in my book. I have my own story to share on the topic. My son was on an OV with about 5 other recruits that each had upper classman team chaperones. The head coach told the chaperones .....no drinking, no parties. In less than 5 minutes, they walked from the coaches office to an off-campus party with some wild stuff going on. A little while later the cops came, and made some arrests including recruits and chaperones. The asst police chief was the head baseball coaches brother - yes, he found out. My son and his chaperone had left about 5-10 min before the cops came. To make a long story short, it is something you may want to go over before his/her OV.</p>
<p>^ Excellent advice, fenway. A few years ago, the son of a good friend was being recruited for baseball at Big East school. He was under the impression that the Official Visit was an opportunity for the school to 'wine and dine' him. He drank. A lot.</p>
<p>He never heard back from the program after that weekend. Be careful out there, kids.</p>
<p>Prior to the start of OV season, we did have a frank conversation about what to do if exposed to alcohol on an official visit, how to handle saying no, why not to drink, the danger of cell phones being around while a recruit is drinking, and what to do if you are caught in a situation that isn't good or even dangerous. Three of the four OVs had alcohol at parties, of those parties, the recruits were offered drinks at two of them. At one of the parties, the recruits and their hosts were split by drinkers/non-drinkers, and the non drinkers left the party and went to the dorm to play Wi games and have snacks. The drinking crowd was not seen until the next morning. </p>
<p>And in contrast to varska and fenway, these were girls.</p>
<p>It is interesting, I have now seen both sides of the visit. During the recruiting process with my son, and now that my son is a DI athlete, his view of recruits and the process. The visit is not just for the recruit, but also for the coach and team to evaluate the athlete on many different levels. After recruit visits, my son's coach sits down with his athletes and asks for frank feedback on the recruit. In several cases, recruit behavior while with athletes has resulted in a thumbs down. Make sure you are on your best behavior with not only the coaches, but with your possible future teammates.</p>