Questions to Ask on Campus Visits
Campus visits are your best opportunity to evaluate whether a college and athletic program are the right fit for you. While tours and presentations provide valuable information, the questions you ask can reveal crucial details that determine your college experience. Here's your comprehensive guide to the most important questions to ask different people during your visit.
Questions for Coaches
About the Program and Your Role
"How do you see me fitting into your program over the next four years?"
- Reveals their specific plans for your development
- Shows whether they have a clear vision for your role
- Indicates their commitment to your success
"What would my typical week look like as a member of your team?"
- Understanding of time commitments
- Balance between athletics, academics, and personal time
- Insight into program culture and expectations
"How many players at my position do you typically carry on the roster?"
- Competition level for playing time
- Depth chart understanding
- Long-term opportunity assessment
"What's your coaching philosophy, and how do you develop players?"
- Compatibility with their approach
- Understanding of improvement expectations
- Insight into coaching methods and communication style
About Program Culture and Support
"How do you handle player injuries and rehabilitation?"
- Medical support and resources
- Approach to player health and safety
- Return-to-play protocols and support
"What academic support do you provide for student-athletes?"
- Tutoring and study hall requirements
- Academic advisors and support staff
- Graduation rates and academic success tracking
"How do you help players prepare for life after college athletics?"
- Career development and networking
- Alumni connections and support
- Internship and job placement assistance
"What's your policy on transfers and playing time decisions?"
- Transparency in decision-making
- Communication about role changes
- Support for players considering transfers
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"How do scholarship renewals work, and what are the specific requirements?"
- GPA requirements and academic standards
- Athletic performance expectations
- Behavioral and team standards
"Are there opportunities for scholarship increases based on performance?"
- Merit-based improvements
- Academic achievement bonuses
- Leadership and contribution recognition
Questions for Current Athletes
About Daily Life and Experience
"What's the most challenging part of being a student-athlete here?"
- Honest perspective on difficulties
- Time management challenges
- Academic and athletic balance
"How would you describe the team culture and chemistry?"
- Team relationships and dynamics
- Social aspects of team membership
- Conflict resolution and team unity
"How accessible are the coaches, and how do they communicate?"
- Coach-player relationship quality
- Communication style and frequency
- Approachability and support level
"What do you wish you had known before choosing this program?"
- Insider perspective on surprises
- Things that aren't obvious from outside
- Honest assessment of program realities
About Academic and Athletic Balance
"How do professors and academic departments treat student-athletes?"
- Academic respect and support
- Flexibility for travel and competition
- Integration with general student body
"What's the social life like for athletes on campus?"
- Integration with non-athlete students
- Social opportunities and restrictions
- Campus culture and athlete treatment
"How has this program prepared you for your future career?"
- Professional development opportunities
- Network building and connections
- Skills development beyond athletics
About Practical Matters
"What are the hidden costs of being on this team?"
- Equipment and gear expenses
- Travel costs for family
- Additional fees or requirements
"How do you handle the travel schedule and missed classes?"
- Academic accommodation policies
- Professor understanding and flexibility
- Make-up work and exam policies
Questions for Academic Advisors
About Academic Programs and Support
"What's the graduation rate for student-athletes in my intended major?"
- Academic success tracking
- Major-specific support and challenges
- Realistic timeline expectations
"How flexible is the curriculum for student-athletes?"
- Course scheduling around practice/competition
- Summer school options and requirements
- Study abroad opportunities
"What academic support services are available specifically for athletes?"
- Tutoring programs and availability
- Study facilities and resources
- Academic coaching and planning
"How do you handle conflicts between academic and athletic commitments?"
- Priority setting and conflict resolution
- Communication between departments
- Policy on missed classes for competition
About Career Preparation
"What career services and internship opportunities are available?"
- Career counseling and planning
- Internship placement and support
- Alumni network and connections
"How do you help student-athletes prepare for graduate school?"
- Graduate school advising
- Research opportunities
- Professional school preparation
Questions for Athletic Department Staff
About Facilities and Resources
"What are the facility usage policies and availability?"
- Access to training facilities
- Equipment availability and quality
- Maintenance and upgrade plans
"What medical and sports medicine support is provided?"
- Trainer availability and qualifications
- Injury prevention and treatment
- Mental health and counseling services
"How do you handle nutrition and dietary support for athletes?"
- Meal plans and dining options
- Nutritional counseling and education
- Special dietary accommodation
About Compliance and Policies
"What are the key compliance rules I need to understand?"
- NCAA regulations and requirements
- School-specific policies
- Consequences for violations
"What's the process for official visits and recruiting interactions?"
- Visit policies and limitations
- Communication rules and guidelines
- Family involvement and expenses
Questions for Academic Departments
About Your Major and Career Path
"What are the job placement rates and average starting salaries for graduates?"
- Career outcome tracking
- Industry connections and partnerships
- Alumni success stories
"What research or hands-on learning opportunities are available?"
- Undergraduate research programs
- Internship partnerships
- Project-based learning options
"How do student-athletes typically perform in this major?"
- Success rates and challenges
- Time management considerations
- Faculty support and understanding
"Are there scholarship opportunities specific to this academic department?"
- Merit-based academic scholarships
- Research assistantship opportunities
- Professional organization scholarships
Questions for Financial Aid Office
About Total Cost and Aid
"What's the true total cost of attendance including all fees?"
- Hidden costs and additional expenses
- Annual cost increases and projections
- Payment plans and options
"How do athletic and academic scholarships combine?"
- Aid stacking policies
- Outside scholarship coordination
- Maximum aid limitations
"What happens to financial aid if I get injured or can't play?"
- Medical aid policies
- Academic aid preservation
- Emergency financial assistance
"Are there work-study or campus employment opportunities for athletes?"
- Job availability and restrictions
- Scheduling around athletic commitments
- Earning potential and limitations
Questions for Housing and Student Life
About Living Arrangements
"What are the housing options and requirements for student-athletes?"
- Athlete-specific housing or integration
- Roommate policies and selection
- Cost differences and options
"How do athletic schedules affect campus life and social opportunities?"
- Integration with general student body
- Club and organization participation
- Social event availability
"What dining and nutrition support is available?"
- Meal plan requirements and options
- Late-night dining for training schedules
- Nutritional counseling and education
Red Flag Responses to Watch For
From Coaches
- Vague answers about your role or development
- Reluctance to discuss specific policies
- Overly positive responses without acknowledging challenges
- Avoiding discussions about former players or transfers
- Pressure to make quick decisions
From Athletes
- Hesitation to answer honestly
- Complaints about coaching or program management
- Warnings about hidden problems
- Unhappiness with their choice
- Discouragement about program direction
From Academic Staff
- Limited support for student-athletes
- Inflexibility regarding athletic commitments
- Poor graduation rates or academic outcomes
- Lack of career services or support
- Unrealistic academic expectations
How to Ask Questions Effectively
During Formal Presentations
- Take notes on questions that arise
- Ask for clarification on unclear points
- Request specific examples rather than general statements
- Follow up with individuals privately if needed
In Private Conversations
- Be respectful but direct in your questions
- Listen actively to both what's said and what's not said
- Ask follow-up questions to get complete answers
- Take notes immediately after conversations
With Current Athletes
- Ask for honest opinions and emphasize confidentiality
- Inquire about specific situations you're concerned about
- Get multiple perspectives from different players
- Ask about both positive and negative aspects
Questions to Avoid
Inappropriate Questions
- Personal questions about coaches' family or background
- Complaints about other programs you've visited
- Demands for guaranteed playing time or roles
- Financial details about other players' scholarships
- Gossip about other recruits or players
Timing Issues
- Detailed scholarship negotiations during first visit
- Commitment pressure questions that create awkwardness
- Complex rule interpretations better handled by compliance
- Personal problems unrelated to college decision
After the Visit: Follow-Up Questions
If You Need More Information
- "Can I speak with recent graduates about their experience?"
- "Would it be possible to attend a practice or game?"
- "Can you connect me with academic advisors in my major?"
- "Are there current players I could speak with privately?"
Decision-Making Questions
- "What's your timeline for recruiting decisions?"
- "How many spots are you filling at my position?"
- "What would be the next steps if I'm interested in committing?"
The Bottom Line
The questions you ask during campus visits are as important as the information presented to you. Good questions reveal program culture, expectations, and whether the school truly fits your academic and athletic goals.
Smart questioning strategy:
- Prepare questions in advance but be flexible
- Ask the same key questions to multiple people for consistency
- Focus on understanding culture and fit, not just facts
- Pay attention to how people respond, not just what they say
- Follow up on anything that seems unclear or concerning
Remember: This is your opportunity to interview them as much as they're evaluating you. Ask questions that help you make the best decision for your four-year college experience.
For guidance on what to look for beyond these questions, see our guide on How to Evaluate a School Beyond Sports.