<p>can someone explain what is that ? when does that typically happen ? does it signify that the school is really interested ? how critical is it to attend that ? </p>
<p>If the overnight visit is an Official Visit (initiated by the school) then I would say yes the school is very interested and it would be important to attend from their perspective. Whether or not your son or daughter feels the same way about the school remains to be seen. At the very least, I suggest your son or daughter attend to get some experience with this aspect of recruiting. </p>
<p>I’m aware of multiple types of visits including Official Visits, Unofficial Visits, and Junior Days. In our experience, Junior Days was coordinated between Admissions and Atheltics as a way to target specific ideal candidates for their school. It included an academic presentation by each Dean, time spent with a sports team, and then an overnight with a sports team. Official Visits are very rigid & limiting, and Unofficial Visits typically last 2-4 hours depending on many circumstances. Many times it is very sport dependent in terms of the type of visit and when these visits happen. In my son’s sport, most recruits are committed long before Official Visits can happen. So, we went on many, many unofficial visits.</p>
<p>Good luck! </p>
<p>Is this a private or public university? My daughter did overnight visits at all 4 private colleges that she applied. It’s encouraged whether the student is an athlete or not.</p>
<p>Private. And fenwaysouth - thanks for your detailed response too. very helpful.</p>
<p>I think overnight visits are very valuable to the selection process. Strongly consider doing them after your son has narrowed his choices. My daughter’s top school changed after her overnight visits. The students get to spend time with the team and coaches, get a good sampling of the food on a “non visit day”, and possibly attend a few classes. It really opens up their eyes as to what they are getting themselves into.</p>
<p>Official Visits are the top of the recruiting pyramid. The OVs are limited in number, period they may be offered, and regulated by NCAA rules. Schools are permitted to pay the air fare (mileage) associated with OVs.</p>
<p>A coach has a very limited number of OVs he/she can offer. Those OVs are reserved for the most highly sought after recruits (at schools which use the OV to recuit; some schools use the OV to bring in all athletes already committed. I believe the Ivyies use the OVs to recuit.)</p>
<p>OVs can only begin in the senior year. Generally, the earlier in the OV season the athlete is invited, the better. </p>
<p>A student on an OV can only be on campus for 48 hours. During the 48 hours, the dog and pony show is a well structured production. The student will get to watch a practice, get tours of the school, training facilities, and the like (either given by a coach or an experienced player), attend a class or two, and party like they have never dreamed. Every move is watched and some coaches will ask for team feedback (so watch the drinking).</p>
<p>Parents are welcome to travel with the athlete but should not interfere with the process. Most coaches will meet with the parents separately or with the athlete. This is the time for parents to ask the hard questions and get direct answers (e.g., what majors are represented on the team).</p>
<p>It can be very stressful; you may be traveling cross country multiple times - in a month. Standardized testing may impact the availability of the athlete to go; that’s why you need to get the ACT/SAT out of the way early. My S went on three - consecutive weekends flying cross country - and really enjoyed the adventure. He was pressed heavily after each to make a quick decision. It was was worth the effort; his (and our) initial impressions were very close to his actual experience.</p>
<p>We did unofficial visits (the traditional tours) at many many more schools. At some he met the coach - but only after he had grades and scores.</p>
<p>We also did a few junior days. For us, junior days actually were turn offs; those days were too crowded and generic.</p>
<p>Not sure if the OP is talking about unofficial or official, but either way I think the overnight visit was critical for my D. It’s hard enough to make this decision, but spending time on campus away from her parents gave my daughter a glimpse of what college life will really be like. Initially my 16 year old did not have enough information to make this decision and was starting to feel very overwhelmed. The overnights helped bring things into focus for her. Like Fenway said… D’s sport usually wants a verbal commit before official visits happen. Unofficial visits with an overnight stay were offered (while on campus or via email (or may have been over phone?) initiated by my D) by her top three choices in fall/winter of her junior year. This is such a busy time it can be hard to juggle all of this junior year, but she took advantage at her top two choices. They were very different experiences and I imagine this is because unlike Official Visits they are less structured and every school probably approaches it differently. (It also may have been because one was MORE interested at the time than the other…I’m not sure?) At one school the time in the evening away from the field with the team, visits to freshman dorms and a stay at an upperclassmen dorm, meals at various dining halls, two classes (one larger freshman class, and one very small class with mostly juniors) gave her a good feel for life at the school. At the other school she had a great experience getting to know the campus and the coaching staff, but didn’t have AS MUCH access to the team and didn’t stay overnight with an athlete. Instead we stayed at a hotel near campus. Both were great experiences and I think she had a very hard time deciding between her top two. In the end I think feeling like she was a perfect fit with the team probably sealed the deal for my D and she felt very comfortable verbally committing a few months later. (She waited because she still wanted to visit two other schools) She was looking Ivy, stanford and a few NESCAC. It is my understanding her school (Ivy) will use the OV to bring committed students to campus, so she is looking forward to that. She attended a junior day at another of her top choices, but agree with Stemit that it was a bit of a turn off. I think she may have liked the school more if she had done a less generic visit. Good luck! I think any overnight signifies strong interest and if you can swing it my advice would be to try to make it happen! If you think there is interest, but the unofficial overnight isn’t offered maybe you could ask if the coach will provide this experience. It can’t hurt to ask!</p>