On Nov. 5, seniors from DSST: Elevate took a memorable trip to Colorado College in Colorado Springs. For many, this was more than just a campus tour—it was a chance to envision their next chapter.

Colorado College is known for its innovative Block Plan, offering immersive, 3.5-week courses that allow students to dive deeply into subjects while forging close connections with faculty and peers. During the visit, Elevate students experienced firsthand the school’s small class sizes, vibrant campus life, and numerous opportunities beyond the classroom, such as internships and field studies (in which 100% of Colorado College students participate).

The day included an engaging information session, a campus tour led by current students, and opportunities to ask candid questions about academics, residence life, and the transition to college. Students appreciated the transparent conversation about the application process, financial aid, and the many layers of support available—from mental health resources to academic guidance.

For Elevate senior Chioma, who dreams of a career in pharmacy, the visit was eye-opening.

“It’s really nice to visit campuses and see how the life is, hear from people on campus, and just see the campus life in general,” she said. “It’s a good experience that helps me open my eyes to making my final decisions on where I want to go.”

The experience was equally impactful for Aja, who plans to pursue nursing.

“Walking on the grounds makes me feel like I’m a student here,” said Aja. “It kind of expands my horizons, seeing what colleges I would like to go to and finalizing decisions. College visits are very important for that.”

Both students emphasized how invaluable the DSST College Success Team has been in helping them navigate their post-secondary journeys.

“I’m really grateful to go to DSST, a place where we have a really great College Success team,” Chioma said. “I honestly feel like without them, I’d be so lost in my decision. Not a lot of schools are privileged to have a team that would help them. Most people figure out college on their own. And I feel like, honestly without them, I would have no idea what I wanted to do, where I want to go, how to apply to colleges.”

Aja agreed, saying that it’s “very important for all high schools to have a college success team like ours.”

For seniors Jack and Evermore, the trip confirmed that Colorado College would be a welcoming and inspiring place to start their freshman year. Both students have already submitted their applications and eagerly await the next steps.

At DSST, we are committed to ensuring every student feels prepared and supported in their college exploration. Experiences like this campus visit bring that mission to life, helping students like Chioma, Aja, Jack, and Evermore take confident steps toward their bright futures.