The College Counselor's Coach


Wondering how to grow your practice? Looking for more work-life balance?  I can help you! As an professional business owner, with more than thirty years of experience,  I can help you find a path to better business, better income, or a better life for yourself. I offer a free Initial Consultation. Contact me today to learn more about what I can do for you.


YES! Let's Talk!

Looking for new ideas? Looking to achieve goals?

Learn more about  my popular Interactive Workshops such as NAME YOUR PRICE or DYNAMIC COLLEGE SEARCH & LIST BUILDING

Finally, a way to tackle your business goals, one topic at a time. Each workshop is transformative for you and for your business.


Coming Soon! 2024-25 Workshop Schedule

Workshops starting in December, 2024. Watch for new workshops!


WORKSHOP DESCRIPTIONS

One Zoom Meeting You Don't Want to Miss!

The one zoom meeting dedicated to topics you are interested in, with people you like hearing from! Our Friday Forums cover current topics, provide interviews with interesting people, and frank conversations. Don't miss it! Scheduled for once or twice a month. Sign up now so you don't miss out on the action or the fun!



Buy me a coffee.

I interview interesting experts exploring life, education & business.

I started Friday Forums during covid as a way to bring calm to the chaos. It has grown in popularity since then. I love asking questions of higher education, counseling, business and other experts. We discuss a wide range of topics. Your support by buying me a coffee helps me continue providing this as a free resource. You have my sincerest appreciation for your support! I have the BEST audience possible!

Buy Me A Coffee
Friday Forums FRI Mar 14 Financial Forms, Awards & Appeals Panel Guest: Cori Murphy, Crystal Tate, Robin Aijan, Tani Rachkoskie Join a discussion on financial aid from both sides of the desk: the college financial aid office and college advisors. Explore why every family should file financial aid forms, regardless of income or assets.
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FRI Jan. 24 Crafting College Lists & Visits with AI with Kate Sonneberg Guest: Kate Sonnenberg Can AI help students understand and find the college that best fits them? Can you use it to streamline the college list-building process? Kate Sonneberg and Cyndy McDonald will discuss and demonstrate how to use AI responsibly and ethically to make the college planning process more accurate, in-depth, and reliable.
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FRI Jan. 10, 2025 Virtual Reality & Teen Mental Health Guest: Lyndy Barnard, LCSW Description
What if virtual reality could seamlessly integrate into standard mental health practices for teens? As technology continues to advance, the possibilities for creating tailored therapeutic experiences are limitless. Lyndy Barnard, therapist, will discuss the promise and opportunities this new type of technology offers.
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FRI Dec. 13, 2024 Mastering Initial Client Meetings: Listen More, Close More Guest: Katie Jane Ferrer and Cyndy McDonald What if you could change the way you approach initial client meetings and significantly increase your enrollment rates? By mastering the art of active listening, the focus can be shifted from cost discussions to understanding the desires of students and their families.
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The College Counselor's Coach

Powerful experience. Mindset Shift. Trackable outcomes.

Ready to invest in yourself?

Learn More

Are you ready to focus on launching or building your practice? I have created a dynamic, involved coaching experience based on research and experience.This coaching experience can transform you, and transform your business. Investing in YOURSELF is the most important investment you can make!


Options:             Individual Coaching

Starting:            Anytime

Leader:              Cyndy McDonald



Coaching participants remarked:

  • "Best thing I have done for myself!" 
  • "I wish I had done this sooner." 
  • "I learned as much about myself as I did business."

Cyndy McDonald, CEP is a recognized leader in both college counseling and in business. She has over thirty years of experience as a college advisor. Recently she became a Certified Education Planner (CEP).  This is the highest certification available to educational professionals.


Cyndy has started multiple, successful businesses.  MyCCA (now GuidedPath, a product of MaiaLearning), a technology platform and McDonald & Associates, a college counseling practice. Both companies have grown and thrived in the past several years.

Cyndy is the founder of Higher Education Consultants Association (HECA), a professional membership organization for independent educational consultants. She has been a leader in several other professional organizations (NCAG, AICEP, NACAC, IECA, WACAC, HECA).
Currently, Cyndy teaches in the UCLA online college counseling certificate program.

Cyndy has a BS degree from Westminster College (UT), a MA Ed degree from Fresno Pacific (CA). Reach Cyndy at cyndy@cyndymcdonald.com . 


Find Cyndy in the Media

Canvas Rebel: Interview with Cyndy about vision and pivoting. (2024)


The Upsides of Rapid Changes in Education: Tests and the Rest Podcast with Mike Bergin and Amy Seeley (2023)


Your College List: Academic Fit:  Flourish Coaching podcase with Lisa Marker-Robbins (2022)


The Power of Thought: Entrepreneurship in Trying Times:  Mompreneur Success podcast with Denise Fernander (2021).


Leading the Way By Breaking New Ground: Ethan Lin interviews Cyndy about being a visionary and disruptor. (2018).


Quoted in media such as Consumer Reports, LA Times, and other publications.  Featured presenter for Grown & Flown, Your Teen Magazine, WACAC, NACAC, IECA, HECA, and NCAG.


Schedule A Call With Cyndy
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