Campus Touring Is Interviewing: How to Make Every College Visit Count

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Campus Touring Is Interviewing: How to Make Every College Visit Count

Have you ever taken your kid on a college visit — had a great time — and realized on the drive home you never asked the questions that actually mattered?

The campus felt right. Everyone was friendly. But you left without a clear picture of whether it's truly the right fit.

That happens to most families. And it's not because they don't care — it's because they walked in without a plan.

I'm Markens Benoit — dad, coach, and someone who has seen families make this mistake over and over. A campus visit isn't a sightseeing trip. It's an interview. You're evaluating them just as much as they're evaluating your child.

Here's how to do it right.

Why Most Campus Visits Miss the Mark

Most families approach a college visit like a tour. They see the buildings, feel the vibe, take some photos — and walk away with a good feeling but no real information.

A good feeling doesn't tell you if your kid will get playing time. It doesn't tell you how the coach handles injuries, or whether professors support athletes during travel season, or what the players actually think about being there.

Your child is about to invest four years, hundreds of thousands of dollars, and the most important athletic window of their life into this decision. You need more than a feeling. You need answers.

[STORY SLOT: Insert a story here about a family who visited a campus, loved the vibe, committed — and discovered something important they wished they had asked about beforehand]

The Questions That Actually Matter

1. What does my kid's path to playing time look like?

Don't accept a vague answer. If your child is a goalkeeper, ask how many goalkeepers are on the current roster, what years they are, and what the likelihood is of them returning. Get specific. Coaches who believe in your kid will give you a real answer.

Why it matters: You want honest insight into your child's future on that team — not a sales pitch.

2. What academic support exists for student-athletes?

Ask about tutors, academic advisors, and how flexible professors are during travel season. Many college athletes do homework on bus rides and in hotel rooms. Find out if the school is set up to help them succeed in both.

Why it matters: The balance between sports and academics is real. Knowing the support structure protects your child's future beyond soccer.

3. What does the travel schedule actually look like?

Ask for a sample schedule from last season. How many weeks away? How many back-to-back road trips? What does a typical week look like during the season?

Why it matters: Travel impacts health, grades, and family time. Know what your kid is signing up for before they sign.

4. How are injuries handled?

Ask about the medical staff, their experience, and what the recovery process looks like. Do injured players still feel part of the team? Is there a clear return-to-play protocol?

Why it matters: Injuries happen. Good medical support can be the difference between a minor setback and a lost season.

5. What is the team culture really like?

This one — don't ask the coach. Ask the players.

Find a moment to pull a current player aside and ask what surprised them most about being there. What do they wish they had known before committing? What do they love about the program?

Players will tell you what the brochure never will.

Why it matters: Your kid will spend more time with teammates than with coaches. The culture determines whether they thrive or just survive.

What to Listen For in Their Answers

Watch how the coach responds to hard questions. Do they get specific and honest — or do they pivot to the tour script?

Watch how players interact with each other and with the coaching staff. Is there genuine energy — or does something feel off?

And watch your kid. How do they feel walking around? Do they light up — or go quiet? Their instincts matter too.

The right program holds up to hard questions. That's how you know.

Let Your Kid Lead

This is their decision. Your job is to help them see clearly — not to fall in love for them.

Encourage your child to ask their own questions. To walk the campus on their own terms. To sit with how it feels when no one is watching.

A well-informed visit makes the decision clearer — and the commitment stronger.

Bottom Line

Don't just tour the campus. Interview the program. Come prepared, ask the hard questions, listen carefully — and let the answers guide you to the right fit.

The best programs welcome that kind of scrutiny. That's exactly how you know they're worth your child's future.

Want a simple checklist to guide your next campus visit? Book a free 15-minute call and let's make sure your family is asking all the right questions.

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