the final piece of the puzzle: scholarships on your official visit
An official visit is the culmination of your recruiting journey. You’ve put in the work on the field and in the classroom, sent countless emails, and spent hours on the phone. By the time you receive an official visit invitation, you’ve already been thoroughly vetted. The school is seriously interested, and they want to see if you’re the perfect fit. For many athletes, the final piece of this puzzle is a scholarship offer. But what does it mean to receive an offer on your visit, and is it a final offer?
What If I Don’t Get An Offer On An Official Visit?
Official visits or even before are often the time that scholarships are communicated to athletes. If you’ve been invited on an official visit with having a scholarship lined up, read the rest of the blog to prepare on having the scholarship conversation. It’s very possible that the coach will be giving you an offer while you’re on campus. This is often done in a meeting with both your position/event coach and the head coach of the team. If you leave an official visit with receiving an offer, it’s important to understand where you stand with the coach and it’s appropriate to ask if you’re being recruited as a walk-on athlete. In some sports like track and field, it may be possible that your event coach would like to offer some level of scholarship but they’re still waiting to confirm if they’ll have any money budgeted for their event. It’s also possible that they’re waiting to see how you perform during your junior or senior season. Sometimes another coach will make scholarship offers to athletes who don’t commit and other coaches are able to distribute that money to their recruits.
Is an Offer on an Official Visit Final?
Getting a scholarship offer during your official visit is a very strong sign of a coach's commitment to you. They are not just giving you a pitch; they are making a formal statement. Depending on when you take your official visit will help determine if this is your final offer. Now that athletes can take officials as early as their junior year, there may or may not be time for additional negotiating. It’s important to understand from the coaches how many scholarships they have left for your recruiting class. They've invited you to campus with the intent of making an offer and getting a commitment. Before thinking about negotiating, take some to absorb and review the offer.
However, it's crucial to understand a few key nuances. A verbal scholarship offer is an agreement between you and the coach. It is not legally binding until you sign a National Letter of Intent (NLI). Coaches can, and do, offer scholarships to multiple athletes for the same roster spot, in the hopes that one of them will accept. This is why a verbal commitment is not a guarantee. The coach may have an offer out to you and a handful of other recruits. The first one to commit may be the one who secures the spot.
What an Offer Means to a Coach
When a coach extends an offer on an official visit, they are making a significant statement.
You're a Top Priority: The coach has spent a lot of time and money on you, and they wouldn't do that if you weren't a top recruit for them.
They Want to Close the Deal: The coach may want you to commit on the spot. While they won't put too much pressure on you, the visit is their best chance to sell you on the program. They will show you the facilities, introduce you to the team, and have you meet with academic advisors to convince you that their school is the right fit.
You Meet Their Standards: The coach has already checked your academic eligibility and verified your athletic skills. They are confident that you are the type of student-athlete who can succeed at their school, and they are ready to make a commitment.
What You Should Do When You Get an Offer
Receiving a scholarship offer is an incredible feeling, but you need to be prepared to handle it with maturity and professionalism.
Be Grateful, Not Hasty: First and foremost, express your gratitude to the coach and the staff. Thank them for the offer and for the opportunity to visit the campus. It is perfectly acceptable to tell them that you are extremely interested and that you need some time to discuss it with your family. Do not feel pressured to commit on the spot, as this is a life-altering decision.
Ask the Right Questions: While you may have a lot of questions, it's important to ask the right ones now.
Make sure to fully undersand the offer. Is it a full ride? Or is it a partial scholarship that covers a certain amount? Is NIL money included?
Are their conditions for the scholarship to renew? Are there any conditions, such as maintaining a specific GPA?
What is the timeline for your decision? Is there a deadline for accepting the offer?
Use it as Leverage: A verbal offer from a school on your list is a powerful tool. You can use it to push other schools you are interested in to make a decision. A polite phone call to other coaches, saying, "I've received an offer from another school and they need an answer soon," can often encourage them to finalize their own recruiting decisions.
Involve Your Support System: You should never make this decision alone. Talk to your parents, your high school coach, and anyone else who you trust to help you make the best decision for your future.
Follow Up: Regardless of whether you accept the offer or not, you should always follow up with a handwritten thank-you note to the coaches and staff. This shows them that you are a respectful and professional individual, and it leaves a lasting positive impression.
An offer on an official visit is a significant milestone, a sign that all your hard work is paying off. It's a powerful moment of validation, and it gives you the opportunity to find the perfect school to continue your athletic and academic journey. By handling the offer with poise and intelligence, you can make the right decision for your future.
