<p>We will be doing very first on campus tours "unofficial visits" over spring break. DD has been on campuses here and there over the years for swim meets, but not really from the standpoint of a future student-athlete.
We made campus tour appointments through the admissions offices, and then DD filled out the online swim questionnaires, followed up by an email to one or more of the coaches giving the date we would be on campus and asking if someone could briefly meet with her. All 3 have responded that they could, and we are working out logistics of when/where.
Wondering what others have experienced at these visits so DD can be prepared with what to expect. On paper, she very much likes one of the schools/teams. Are they usually informal, all chatting poolside, asking questions back and forth in a conversational manner? Or more formal with perhaps taking DD to an office and asking questions from a prescribed set of questions?
(If its the first, her Dad and I will plan on standing down, and hopefully DD will not be too shy and speak up with her questions!)</p>
<p>Usually they will want to know why your DD is attracted to the school, what her major might be, her background, etc. They will tell you about their programs, what they expect, how they run the programs, etc. It’s a good idea to have a few questions ready to go. For our DD it’s usually how do they work practices around lab schedules, what if they have a conflict with practice (test or group project), etc. I would not be overly involved in the question and answer part as a parent. I would also let your DD check in at admissions, step back and let her take the lead. During the tour, hang back and let her talk to the tour guide, etc. </p>
<p>How old is your DD?</p>
<p>For our unofficials, it was a private discussion with the coach in an office. I didn’t usually accompany my son unless specifically invited. Some visits also involved spending the night with a team member sleeping on their floor or a couch. This is D3, so no money involved, and not so many rules.</p>
<p>If ur daughter has a particular event–sprint/distance/stroke–ask how the coach works that group --does she/he create specific work outs for each type of swimmer or does the entire team do the sets of the day. How much weight room and is their a weight room coach?-- access to PT?
The coach can’t tell you but have your daughter ask some of the team about “captain’s practices” in the “off season” how often–doubles? Tell ur D that at no time is she “off camera”-- that the coach will ask the team members who met her what they think of her and how well she will fit in-- a bad fit will kill almost any recruit (Maybe not Elizabeth Beisel, but then there are very very rare ones like her…)</p>
<p>Definitely have some questions in mind, our UO visits varied pending the school/coach and interest level. Shortest was about an hour walking around campus touring and talking and longest was 5 hours… (where he ended up). I would encourage a parent to accompany but let the athlete do the majority of the talking/asking questions. It would be helpful to know some specific things about their particular swim programs to show genuine interesest and that athlete has done their homework.</p>