College Counseling

"The College Counseling Program at CSS is comprehensive and offers programs designed to ensure excellent college placement and the best personal fit possible."
- Rusty Haynes, Director of College Counseling

Philosophy

The College Counseling program at CSS is primarily interested in finding the best fit for the individual student: academically, socially, and financially. Throughout the fours of Upper School, students are introduced to the various aspects of the college admission process. Proper preparation for this experience takes each and every year.

Beginning in the eighth grade, various topics are introduced to each student through the Advisory Program. In the ninth and tenth grades, students are introduced to the next phase of the program, which includes in-house test preparation and tips for developing the best possible student profile.

Throughout the school year, the entire CSS community is invited and encouraged to attend various college information nights and programs. These sessions are conducted by experienced consultants and Directors/Deans/VP's of Admission. Additionally, various workshops and classes are introduced to prepare students for the college admission experience and the college application process.

All Upper School students are guided through an extensive search of the colleges and in-depth preparation for every aspect of the college application experience, including standardized testing and test preparation. We at CSS pride ourselves on providing our students with the tools to help themselves throughout the college admission process. Our ultimate goal is to help our students find the best possible collegiate matches: academically, socially, and financially.

College Counseling Resources

Most of the college counseling resources made available through the College Counseling office can also be found on the Naviance website. This website provides not only a full library of documents prepared by Mr. Haynes relating to the various components of the college admission process but additionally links students to many truly outstanding college-related resources. All upper school students and their families will be assigned a specific passkey allowing them access to this portal. Any Upper chool students not receiving a passkey can reach Mr. Haynes at 719-434-3573. Please click here for the sign in page to the Naviance website.

College Counseling Programs

• Gatecrashers: Behind the Door of College Admissions
• College Overview Course
• Standardized Testing Calendar and Test Preparations
• College Counseling Office Goals

College Counseling Goals

• Provide informational evenings for lower, middle and upper school parents and students.
• Prepare all Upper School students for the college admission process.
• Guide all upper school students and their parents through the college search and research process.
• Host visits from college admissions representatives in the fall and the spring.
• Provide information regarding financial aid, summer opportunities, volunteer, and enrichment programs.
• Help students evaluate information received from colleges.
• Help students prepare for standardized college admission tests.
• Host communiques regarding college preparation and admission on Power School, Naviance (the college counseling program) and the CSS web site.
• Help students secure financial assistance.

Meet the College Counselor

Rusty Haynes

Rusty Haynes is finishing his sixth academic year as the Director of College Counseling for the Colorado Springs School. He is the president of CollegeMasters, LLC, an international educational consultancy, and a past-president of the Rocky Mountain Association of College Admission Counseling. Rusty is a certified educational planner and a former recruitment coordinator with over thirty years of experience in college admission counseling. His experience includes eight years in university admission and 22 years as an educational consultant and high school college counselor.

Rusty has served on several national committees and boards, been quoted in many national publications and appeared on numerous talk shows as an expert on college counseling and admission. As an educational consultant, he has worked with several companies such as The Princeton Review, USA Today, Pure Advice, College Summit, Time, TMP, EASi, and Peterson's. He has been featured in Rolling Stone, Time Magazine and the Princeton Review's College Advisor software. Rusty and his wife Peggy are the parents of two boys: Devon and Logan, both CSS alumni.

Contact the College Counselor

Rusty Haynes, Director of College Counseling
719.434.3573