Cyndy's Friday Forums

What should students want to attend a military academy be aware of? What are the challenges veterans face when they come out of the military? What can counselors do to support students, veterans and current military personnel in their educational goals? These and other questions about education for military personnel are covered in an interview Cyndy McDonald hosted with Steven Connelly, a veteran himself. Steve's journey included the US Naval Academy, Harvard Kennedy School, Military Congressional Fellow, Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS), and service as a staff member for the Senate Committee on Veteran's Affairs, among many other experiences.

Writing the college essays induces stress and hand wringing not only for students but for parents and their college advisors. How can we help students understand the purpose of the college essays? How can we guide them toward fulfilling these purposes without taking over their writing? Most difficult of all, how can we help them muster the courage, confidence, and trust needed to share their deepest selves with strangers? Kieran Lyons, author of the new book, Let Me In, The Practical College Essay Guide, share his tips and thoughts on guiding students to their best essays.

Many colleges will have both freshman and sophomores on campus for the first time this fall. How will they feel going to a new place, alone, after being sequestered for over a year during covid? Providing transition support to both students and parents is more crucial this year than ever before. Lisa Heffernan, award winning author and co-founder of the popular Grown & Flown facebook group is joining Cyndy McDonald, to share tips and tools for helping students handle this transition.

The recent Supreme Court ruling about athletes and compensation is monumental. Will it send shock waves through the colleges, or just a small ripple? Athletics expert Katie Andersen joins Cyndy to discuss the latest ruling, its implications for athletes, and what we need to know as college advisors to navigate this latest development.

SLATE is an online platform used by over 1000 colleges to help with recruitment, student success and even help raise money through an alumni network. We will peak beyond the curtains to learn more about SLATE and how it helps colleges meet institutional goals, in an interview with Christine Bowman, Chair of Colleges That Change Lives, and Dean of Admission and Enrollment Services at Southwestern University.

March marks the one year anniversary of the start of the Covid Pandemic. Where are we now? What have we learned from the past year? What ways have you adapted your business? What plans should be put in place for the future? Join Cyndy as she leads a discussion on this topic.

This is not a one hour recording of a recent Friday Forum.  I am deviating from the norm of our Friday Forums. I wanted to share a story with you, my listeners.  This is a 15 minute story and advocacy for What Really Matters.

At some point during Covid-19 we will all face a moment of truth. I faced mine on Nov. 4, 2020, right after the Presidential elections.  I share my story of dealing with Covid.  I learned, instead of "disappearing" when the election was over, I was struggling with how to handle Covid in my family.  I learned what we do matters. I heard Anderson Cooper (CNN) talk about this topic too.  

Please listen to my story.  Join me in promoting individual actions we can take to help one another.  What we do, does matter.

Show Notes

-Cyndy's Blog- this podcast is based on a blog I wrote:  https://www.ssmsite.com/home/site/aaf38ff2/blog/what-really-matters

-Anderson Cooper (CNN): What Matters:  This is a 10 minute presentation:  https://www.cnn.com/videos/politics/2020/11/14/anderson-cooper-it-does-not-matter-trump-coronavirus-kth-vpx.cnn

Susan shared tips for expanding your practice through social media, especially Pinterest.  Learn what approaches work best for different social media platforms. This is Marketing Part 2 Session. (Part 1: Marketing Mindset: What to Know was offered on Aug. 31.)

Why was the Fiske Guide started over 30 years ago? What do the Fiske ratings come from? Edward Fiske, New York Times editor and best selling author, answers these and other questions posed by Cyndy McDonald about his book, The Fiske Guide, and transitions in education he has observed over the past thirty years.

Looking for a new college planning tool? How do you go about comparing different tools? What questions should you be asking? What should you be looking out for? With the news this week about the closure of GuidedPath, many people will be looking for new software solutions. Listen to Cyndy McDonald and Katie Andersen's discussion on how to compare software platforms, and what some of the significant differences are in the platforms on the market.

The pandemic has affected every aspect of student lives in past months. Applications such as Common App have added a covid-19 question. How should students approach this essay? Are there topics students should steer away form in this essay? Brad Schiller, co-founder and CEO of PROMPT, a writing platform, and counselor, Stephanie Kennedy, Kennedy College Consulting will join Cyndy McDonald in a discussion of the Covid-19 essay.

The Friday Forum returns! Who will be going back to school in the Fall? Who gets the "Covid Warrior" and the "Head in the Sand" award for the week? How does the current news affect your students? How does it affect you? How are your skills for managing inquiry calls? What would you like to do better? 

What will college recruitment look like from the inside during and after Covid-19? We turn to author, popular speaker and former director of admissions Peter VanBuskirk for the answers. Watch Cyndy McDonald and Peter VanBuskirk engage in a frank conversation exploring waitlists, merit and financial aid, and future college admissions practices.

Have you started conversations with students about the civil unrest in communities not only across the country, but around the world? Why are people protesting? What is their message?

Are we fully aware of the social, educational and economic gaps that afflict so many students of color populations? Students of Color struggle with feeling academically and emotionally prepared. How can we, as advisors, support them?

Many of us want to help but don’t know what to do. In a special edition of the Friday Forum, Susan will share with us her reality of being a black woman in society today, raising a black son. She will share her story, and the resources she has developed through the foundation JustinCarrWantsWorldPeace.org that support underserved populations. Join us for this very crucial and timely conversation about why it’s imperative not to remain silent. Students of Color must Matter.

A constant struggle for advisors is really getting to know their students. A constant struggle for colleges is getting to know a student's interests. A constant struggle for students is learning all about themselves. Using surveys with middle school and high school students can turn that struggle into a joyous journey. I have asked Kelly Mogilefsky to join me to discuss the power of using surveys with students. Sit in on an actual session exploring Myer-Briggs personality traits with a student. Learn how Kelly uses surveys in her work with students in an early college program. Includes links to free resources and handouts.  

Kelly Mogilefsky, IEC, kelly@mogilefsky.com
Cyndy McDonald, MA/PPS, cyndy@cyndymcdonald.com

What will college recruitment look like from the inside during and after Covid-19? We turn to author, popular speaker and former director of admissions Peter VanBuskirk for the answers. Listen to  Cyndy McDonald and Peter VanBuskirk in a frank conversation exploring waitlists, merit and financial aid, and future college admissions practices.

Business guru Jamie Dickenson answered all questions Business.  In this Friday Forum, hosted by Jamie Dickenson, business questions were posed and answered.  What about the PPP loan?  What about marketing? Pricing?  If you have questions about these topics, you will want to listen to the answers to these and many more questions.

Friday Forums cover the week's news in education and business.  Top of the news this week was a discussion about colleges returning to campus in the fall.  Can they name a date they will open campsu?  Some think so.  What about the ACT and Collegeboard announcements about remote testing.  Some colleges are expressing concern about accepting scores from at home tests. Jamie and Cyndy led a discussion about pricing, and how to assess what your value is, and how to set your pricing.  What value do you bring to your clients, and what is that worth?

This Friday we covered updates on the CARE stimulus act and in college admissions. Jamie answered lots of business questions from last week. What does being "self-employed" mean? Will there be more money from the stimulus package? What colleges announced test waivers (besides Cornell and Wellesley?) for the class of 2021? How will transcripts and AP tests be handled? These and more questions were addressed in this Friday's Forum. Who received Cyndy's award for the week? And the Head in the Sand award for the week? Tune in!

Welcome to All About Your Next Steps podcast. I am so excited to be launching this podcast, even at this time in history. I am an entrepreneur and an educator. When I started my first technology company, it was tough to prove myself. People found it hard to look past my being a woman and see me as an entrepreneur. Later, I founded and led two more businesses and a non-profit organization. Now, more than ever, I have a passion for supporting educators and others, who against all odds,  have started their own businesses.  If you are a small business owner or thinking about launching a small business in education or another field, then this podcast is for you. If you have a passion for education, especially for college planning, then this podcast is for you. If you like learning from others who have their own business, or work in education and who are shaping the world around us, then this podcast is for you.  I selected the title All About Your Next Steps to depict moving forward, progressing, growing.  If you have a growth mindset, then you will benefit from this podcast.  Right now the podcast is centered on Covid-19.  My goal is to provide support and information to guide you through the Next Steps, Covid-19 Style!

In an interview with Robin Goldberg, Chief Experience Officer with Minerva, Cyndy McDonald explores how Minerva “offers an innovative undergraduate program” combining world travel with a challenging, inquisitive approach to learning. How does this serve students better? Educationally, how does it compare to traditional undergraduate experiences? How do prospective employers view this innovative path? Join us to hear answers to these questions and more.  Recorded in 2016, yet, this year, in the midst of the corona virus pandemic, the information from Robin about Minerva's education approach is more relevant that ever before.