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WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT: IN-HOME VISITS
Here at NCSA, we believe in the power of recruiting education. The recruiting process has been rapidly changing over the past 10+ years, and knowing how the process works today can mean the difference between earning a scholarship and not competing in college. To help set you up for success, we’ve put together some valuable tips to prepare you for an in-home visit!
WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT
IN-HOME VISITS SETTING UP AN IN-HOME VISIT TIPS OF THE TRADE
Similar to a college visit, an in-home visit gives you the opportunity to meet with a college coach face-to-face. However, a college coach will use an in home visit as more of a recruiting tactic than a way to evaluate your character.
KEEP THE COACH HAPPY
A coach will be the one who initiates the idea of scheduling an in-home visit, in many cases following your visit to campus. In-home visits are most common for programs at higher division levels and typically take place in the coach’s off-season.
If a coach does contact you to schedule an in-home visit and you have someone who can make dinner for him/ her, ask the coach if they would like to stay for dinner. A full belly means a happy coach!
Most coaches have little time and budget to visit prospects, so in-home visits only take place after you’ve had significant contact with the coach. In many cases, in-home visits are with players that already have an offer or have already committed.
THE VISIT The college coach typically uses an in-home visit to get ‘close’ to you as a recruit. If you have not received an offer from the coach already, and he/ she is taking the time to come visit you at home, it is very likely you will receive an offer during the visit. This is a great opportunity to ask the coach any questions you may have. If the coach is going to make an offer, you want to make sure you know all the details. So any questions about financial aid, playing time, expectations, etc. are all fair game.
DRESS FOR SUCCESS TIPS OF THE TRADE
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When a coach comes to visit you at home, you want to look clean and casual. For both men and women, clean jeans (no holes) and a collared shirt (button down or polo) will work just fine. Or if it’s more comfortable, it’s acceptable for women to wear a dress.
EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT: IN-HOME VISITS
WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT
IN-HOME VISITS TIPS OF THE TRADE FOLLOW-UP After the visit, make sure to follow-up with the coach the next day to thank them for taking the time to come see you. A phone call, a hand written letter or an email will be acceptable, but we always recommend a phone call. The personal follow up does make a difference! If the coach presents an offer during an in home visit, there are several ways you can respond. First, you can accept the offer right then and there! Second, if the coach makes an offer that doesn’t exactly meet your needs, you can negotiate the terms of the scholarship. Before negotiating with a college coach, make sure to speak with your NCSA Recruiting Coach and/or attend a Scholarship Negotiation recruiting class. The last thing you want to happen is to accidently offend a college coach.
MAKE A CALL After the visit, make sure to follow-up with the coach the next day to thank them for taking the time to come see you. A phone call, a hand written letter or an email will be acceptable, but we always recommend a phone call. The personal follow up does make a difference!
Third, if you are not prepared to make a final decision, you can inform the coach that you need a little time. In this case, the coach will likely need your response in a timely manner. Make sure to ask the coach when he or she will need your decision and if the coach has someone else they plan to offer if you don’t respond by that deadline. On your end, you need to evaluate that program to make sure it’s the best fit for you academically, athletically and socially. Review all your notes and interactions and compare them with the other programs you have strong relationships with. Once you make your decision, call the coach. If the coach doesn’t answer, leave a message and send a follow up email confirming your decision!
EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT: IN-HOME VISITS
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For more detailed information on everything recruiting, from communicating with coaches to financial aid, visit the Resource Library under the Recruiting 101 tab in your RMS or contact our Recruiting Coach team (email: recruitinghelp@ncsasport.org - Phone: 877-845-6272).