Unofficial is you paying. Official is them paying — and the clock is real.

Every visit to a college campus is either official or unofficial. This matters because unofficial visits are unlimited and cost you money. Official visits are limited, cost the school money, and only happen when a coach is serious.

Unofficial visits.

You pay for travel, hotel, and food. You can visit any school at any time. Coaches can meet with you during permitted contact periods. These are how most San Diego kids first see a campus — especially schools in the Mountain West or Pac-12 footprint, which are within driving distance.

Official visits.

The school pays for transportation, lodging, and meals within NCAA limits. You are allowed five official visits total across all schools. They are typically scheduled after a coach has made a serious offer and wants you on campus to meet the staff, see the facilities, and close the recruitment.

The clock.

Official visits can only happen in permitted windows. FBS programs have specific official visit dates — typically starting in the fall of senior year. Do not waste an official visit on a school you are not seriously considering. Five is not many.

Official visit rules change. Confirm current NCAA limits at ncaa.org.