Skip to Main Content

College Counseling

Greetings from our College & Career Counselor

Welcome to the College Counseling program at The Colorado Springs School, where students are supported and empowered to navigate the college selection process from grade 10 through their senior year and, ultimately, to take the next step in their academic careers! College counseling is a tradition in my family and my one true passion. An experienced and dedicated counselor, I’m fully invested in getting to know and guiding each and every CSS student on this exciting path toward college. I am readily available to meet with current families and students to discuss next steps for preparing for the path that lies ahead.

CSS graduates study at colleges and universities all over the map, with many earning exceptional scholarships along the way. With help from the College Counseling program, which receives exclusive resources from college associates representing the National Association for College Admission Counseling (NACAC) and regularly attends campus tours, our students acquire the knowledge needed to select one or more higher education institutions that best match their unique academic interests, preferred location, desired extracurricular offerings, and true fit campus culture.

It’s never too early for students to plan the next step in their academic careers. The best way is to take advantage of college-preparatory experiences and opportunities available right here at CSS. The College Counseling program in the Upper School at CSS offers a College Overview course to students in their sophomore year, a College “Bootcamp” in the summer prior to their senior year, and ongoing, individualized counseling throughout students’ time as high schoolers. The opportunity to connect our students with such opportunities is both rewarding and intellectually engaging.

The college search at CSS begins officially with a College Overview course in the 10th grade. During this course, students learn to use effective college research tools and define key vocabulary frequently used throughout the process. In addition, they prepare for standardized tests such as the SAT or ACT, explore the role of college admission counselors, and discover how higher education institutions review applications and make their enrollment decisions.

As students progress toward their junior and senior years, the internal college counseling process at CSS becomes more individualized. As a College Counselor, I help students personally strategize for campus visits, prioritize their CSS class schedules, prepare for one-on-one interviews with college representatives, and assemble essays and application materials.

In the final week of summer at the beginning of their senior year, students also attend a College “Bootcamp” to get ahead of college application deadlines.

Whatever their needs, I’m here to help CSS students and families navigate the confusing, yet satisfying college search and application process. In addition to utilizing these helpful links and recommended reading list, my door is always open, and I am just an email or phone call away to answer any questions you may have.

Erik Playe
Erik Playe

College & Career Counselor
(719) 434-3573
eplaye@css.org