<p>My D has been invited on an all-expenses-paid official visit by a Stanford coach, to take place about 2 weeks from now. She had submitted a copy of her transcript and test scores to him prior to the invitation. I realize that there are no admission guarantees when it comes to athletic recruitment, but does anyone know how we can interpret this situation? Do you personally know (not just rumor) of any students in a similar situation who were ultimately rejected? I am asking because my D needs to figure out her application strategy to the other colleges she is interested in if this one does not pan out. Thank you in advance.</p>
<p>It means high interest. Her responses to questions during the stay will be very important. If this is her first choice school, she should make this clear and ask where she stands with them.</p>
<p>it means that she is 99% in.</p>
<p>I know a lot of people who have gone to elite schools for sports and I hate to break it to you, but an official visit does not mean an acceptance. It means they want to get to know you better. If they like you, then you'll probably get in, but it means that they like you. Just make sure they end up liking you when you see them and you'll get in.</p>
<p>I don't know what the above person is talking about. From everyone I've talked to, namely recruited athlete's Stanford, an official visit means you're in.</p>
<p>official visits are offered to far more than are offered scholarships and admisions</p>
<p>Hi OldCard,</p>
<p>Thanks for the input. Is your comment based on personal experience at Stanford? Or are you referring to athletic recruiting in general? </p>
<p>Thanks everyone for the information.</p>
<p>Based upon Stanford, Ivy, and other experience. Depends on the sport perhaps, but I would ask if she is being offered and request a likely letter, though they may want to see you apply EA as your side of the commitment. Never hurts to just ask so you can get a warm and fuzzy feeling.</p>
<p>An official visit does not mean you are in. My son went on many official visits. Most kids go on a number of official visits. You cannot go to every school that offers you an official visit. It is a two way street. You are assessing them, and they are assessing you. The tricky part is that they are assessing your interest in them also as they are reluctant to outright offer to someone who is playing footsie elsewhere. Unless you are a top recruit that they are begging to get you to sign. THis is what makes athletic admissions unnerving. You really never know exactly where you stand until you get that letter.</p>
<p>I guess what I'm really fishing for (and again, acknowledging that there are no guarantees), is whether the fact that D has been invited on an official visit means that the Admissions Office has given the okay to the coach to offer her a spot. I have been combing the forums and have found references to Stanford's minimum 3.8 GPA, minimum 27 ACT and no "Cs" on transcript as requirements for recruited athletes, all of which my D meets and/or exceeds. If those tidbits are true, then it seems it would be a matter of whether the coach and team like her, and whether there are other recruits with better athletic resumes who are making visits. Or do you know that this is not the case? Her visit will be close to the EA deadline, so she wants to be ready with an application to her second choice if this doesn't turn out well for her.</p>
<p>Thanks to everyone for your replies.</p>
<p>It depends. I know of kids who made official visits before they were vetted by admissions. IT really depends on the school, the sport, the coach.</p>
<p>Like others have said, I believe the answer may depend on the sport and certainly depends on the coach and where your D fits into his or her priority list. The fact that your D was offered an official visit means she is definitely in the range and perhaps more likely than not to be accepted (a big deal at a place like Stanford).</p>
<p>From my D's experience (which includes Stanford and the Ivies), Stanford does not guarantee admission prior to an official read, and stated that explicitly -- even for exceptional performers academically and athletically. Ironically, Stanford may have less clout with admissions than the Ivies -- or so I'm told (though I'm sure there are exceptions). In my D's case, HYP gave much stronger assurances but she ultimately decided on Stanford because it was the best fit (the most important criterion). The early action option does provide some flexibility, but not if the alternative is to apply ED elsewhere.</p>
<p>My advice would be for you daughter to ask the coach directly about prospects, etc., if her visit goes well and she decides it's still her first choice. It may be advisable to visit the second choice as well, so there's a real comparison. Too bad it's so close to the deadline, but it'll be over soon. Good luck!</p>
<p>Definitely depends on the coach and sport (budget). The Stanford official visit didn't happen for my son's sport until after he had been accepted (early read). It was a a one-time group official visit for all of the accepted athletes.</p>
<p>No, an official visit unfortunately does <em>not</em> mean automatic acceptance. Admittedly, the only sport where I have personal knowledge about this is football (although it's the highest revenue sport). There have been quite a few examples of big-name high school athletes who have taken official visits, including some who announced verbal "commitments" -- only to get rejected by admissions.</p>
<p>Two factors, though: (1) Your D appears to have higher grades & scores than some of the above applicants, and (2) The "new" Dean of Admissions appears to have a better relationship with the athletics department than the former Dean.</p>
<p>Good luck.</p>