Ultimately, the best way to learn about a college or a university is to visit it.  Initially researching online is a massive help, but for many campuses online information and photos come nowhere close to the “real thing!”  While you are on campus you can take advantage of the information sessions and campus tours that most schools offer year-round.  It is worthwhile to visit a school during the traditional school year so you can get a feeling for the student body.  If you visit a school over the summer, keep in mind that many colleges offer summer programs, therefore the students you see on campus may or may not be full-time students.

In addition, while you are visiting a school, why not schedule a little face-time with the soccer coach?  It would be beneficial for you to contact the coaching staff well before you arrive to make sure that a coach will be on campus and available to meet with you.  Meeting with a coach is a great opportunity for you to ask any questions you may have about the school and the soccer program.  In addition, after chatting with a coach you will be able to determine whether or not you like them and whether or not you can foresee playing soccer for their program.  A conversation between a coach and a prospective player is an important time for the player to assess the coach’s temperament and coaching style and for the coach to judge the player’s character and devotion to soccer.  This meeting is a great time for you to market yourself as a prospective soccer player and to let your personality shine through.  A coach puts the same amount of emphasis on a player’s character and ability to work well with others as he does on a player’s individual soccer skills.

Also try and see the schools you’re interested in play during their regular season (in the fall) – during their competitive season to see the team’s level of play, the coaching staff interaction, abilities and demeanor as well as ascertaining if you could play at that level. 

Guidelines for the meeting – what to bring, what to ask, what to say:

• Bring a photocopy of your unofficial high school transcript.  The coach will want to see your academic history to ascertain if the school is a good academic fit for you.
• Bring a copy of your athletic resume if you are unsure if the coaching staff already has a copy on record.
• Bring a parent.  Although this may seem like an insignificant suggestion, sometimes it is important to remember that your parents want what is best for you.  Mom or Dad may think of valuable questions to ask college coaches that you have not yet considered.
• Ask questions.  How does the coach run a typical practice?  How much does the coach value weight training?  Does the school have a lot of school spirit for intercollegiate sports?  Can you give me a “year-round” synapses of your program, etc… By asking questions you let coaches know that you have given collegiate soccer a great deal of thought and that you are well prepared for the college process.  A student-athlete who asks questions is confident and is determined to play an active role in the recruitment process – coaches will undoubtedly see these valuable qualities if you ask questions and come prepared.
• Most importantly, make sure to establish an open dialogue with a college coach.  Let them know what your college admissions process has been like so far and what your thoughts are for the future while you continue to visit other schools and speak with other coaches.  By that same right, college coaches should be honest with you.  It is to your advantage to know where a coach thinks you will fit into their soccer program in the future.