<p>So I have just attended my first OV, and loved it. I believe this school is the one for me. I know that I should go on more trips just to make sure that I wasn't just enamored by my first visit. I have 3 more trips lined up, and have to go on the next 2 due to flights already being paid for. My fourth visit though is at my least favorite out of the four and was just in case the other 3 didn't work out. Is it possible to back out of this OV? If so, how should I go about doing this? (***These are D3 schools)</p>
<p>First, consult with your parents and coach.
Once you cancel, it is more than awkward to go back and ask to come for a visit</p>
<p>Then call or send a polite email to the coach of the 4th school and let the coach know that you have decided to decline the visit.<br>
Thank the coach for their time and interest in you.
Let them know that you respect the college and team and coach enough to give them sufficient time to invite another recruit.</p>
<p>Wish them well. in the coming year.</p>
<p>I had a response but realized fogfog is correct - if the school is limited by no. of OV’s they can offer, the sooner you back out so another recruit can get an invitation, the more polite. And, EVERYTHING else fogfog said.</p>
<p>Agreed. I am wondering if the colleges purchase tickets that can be refunded or transferable, or if they assume the cost of unused tickets in their budget.</p>
<p>Agree–the deciding factor here is that the last school was a back-up from the beginning. The only thing I’m not sure of is that the school liked you as much as you liked them. Have they told you a likely is on the way? I’m not sure I’d advise you to burn any bridges before you had that communication.</p>
<p>Unless you have been offered, I really wouldn’t go closing any doors. If the school is ready to commit by OV, they will offer you. </p>
<p>Don’t be hasty or mistake your own interest for theirs. </p>
<p>Good luck!</p>
<p>Swimmer 24;</p>
<p>I would say that since these are D3 schools, that the airline ticket for school number four is your family’s expense, not the school’s, is that correct? If so, then I would say you have the right to cancel the visit, politely, based on fogfog’s great advice above.<br>
However, having just been through this last year…my D came back from OV #1; loved the school, wanted to be done. Then attended OV #2 loved it for different reasons, and wanted to be done. Then attended OV #3 and did not like it as much as she wanted to–going into OVs, it was the premier, “hot” school. Then OV #4 came, and she found everything she wanted–a combination of 1 and 2; which made her decision much easier.<br>
I think that the first 48 hours after coming back from any of these visits should be a “no decision time” so that the lure of the school, the sales pitch, the fun of the weekend can be thought through, and you can get more perspective and make clearer decisions. By the end of visit 2 or 3, visit 1 may be a distant 3rd choice.</p>
<p>I am the first person to say if you don’t need the 4th visit, don’t do it, but don’t discount that you truly don’t know the school until you are there. Also, the whole financial picture has to be evaluated, which might not be 100% clear until after the visits are over, especially in D3 where there may be financial aid or merit aid as an enticement to attend a school.</p>
<p>Good luck.</p>
<p>Since it is D3 the cost is totally out my families pocket. The first school told me “If you want to come here, you are in.” I let them know that they had set the bar extremely high for the other schools. This fourth school is one that is a couple steps down in my sport and a half step down academically. It has always been in my mind, the back up school if I wasn’t able to secure one of the spots at my first 3. I’ve talked with my coach and parents. My coach didn’t even know why I would want to visit the school in the first place. My parents also viewed this school like I did, and are fine with me doing so. They’re actually happy I’ll be missing less school. I am all for visiting the other 2 schools. The first school just felt right. Thanks for your suggestions!</p>
<p>swimmer24;</p>
<p>Sounds like you have two other great options to check out over the next two OVs, then you can weigh the pros and cons of each school. My guess is by the third visit, you’ll have seen enough that you will know the next set of hard questions you need to ask the coaches before making a final decision. Keep in the back of your mind…“which school would I really like to attend if I was not swimming?” </p>
<p>Have a great time over the next two visits, and I hope your decision becomes an easy one.</p>