What are "official visits" in NCAA recruiting?

Official visits in NCAA recruiting refer to visits funded by the institution where recruits get a comprehensive experience that includes meeting coaches, touring campus facilities, and engaging in various activities designed to showcase the college or university. These visits are highly structured and often include accommodations, meals, and transportation covered by the school, allowing recruits to explore the institution in depth and to interact closely with staff and current athletes. This process is designed to help both the recruits and the institution determine if it is a good fit.

The other options do not capture the essence of an official visit. Tours conducted independently or without funding from the institution do not qualify as official visits, as they lack the formal structure and support provided by the schools. Informal meetings might facilitate some interaction but do not incorporate the comprehensive elements and funding that define official visits. Virtual tours, while helpful, do not provide the in-person experience that official visits guarantee, making them an entirely different experience that does not meet the NCAA criteria for official visits.