GuidedPath

An announcement from Cyndy McDonald

I am announcing my departure from GuidedPath. I have new opportunities to follow. Yet, it is hard to say farewell.

As I write this last blog for GuidedPath, I look back on the past sixteen years. It is amazing to see how GuidedPath has grown. Together my husband and I started GuidedPath (then Mycca.net) in 2005. It was the first online, college planning platform for independent educational consultants. I talked to college planners, found their needs, and worked with a team of developers to build a system to fit their needs. Now that process is repeating itself, as MaiaLearning is developing GuidedPath to fit the needs of counselors, in schools, in non-profit organizations and in private practice.

I want to give a special thank you MaiaLearning’s CEO, Satish Mirle. He saw the passion of GuidedPath users in 2020. This past year, working with MaiaLearning’s team has been incredibly rewarding. This is a team filled with people concerned about providing a quality product to support counselors and their students. MaiaLearning’s mission aligns with GuidedPath’s mission; to provide a quality product with superior support. Satish Mirle, the CEO of MaiaLearning said, in a letter to GuidedPath users in 2020: “I personally want you to know the values of GuidedPath for customer service are shared by MaiaLearning.”

Now is the time for me to pursue other interests and opportunities. I will still be involved in education, as that is my passion, but more as a business coach. I look forward to seeing colleagues in the upcoming months at conferences, tours, online, and more. This is not a journey I planned to do alone, without my cofounder and life’s companion. Although I miss him every day, I feel empowered to move forward, and I’m excited to see where this journey will take me. Please read more about my personal journey and future plans HERE or visit my website at www.cyndymcdonald.com. Email me at [email protected].

Cyndy McDonald, CEP
November, 2021
[email protected]
www.cyndymcdonald.com

We had a great webinar yesterday with Shelly Will Humbach and Tatum Hutton our GuidedPath Power Users who shared their Top 5 Tips for Using GuidedPath. The recording and handout from the session are available now: https://guidedpath.net/top-5-tips-from-guidedpath-power-users/

Top 5 Tips from GuidedPath Power Users Advisors share their tips for running their consulting business easier using GuidedPath in our recent webinar. Michelle Humbach, from Denver, Colorado, and Tatum Hutton, Half Moon Bay, California,

Using GuidedPath to Manage Communications - https://t.co/z8huNsYsyT

GuidedPath updated their phone number.

Building College Lists: Finding Fit and Balance - https://t.co/C2rAEyDNjL

Student Workflow Management in GuidedPath - https://t.co/uFGvxvVt1v

Andy Awesome: The Power of One - https://t.co/ZfG8URYlFq https://t.co/G21Ighsx9d

It’s All About Writing: Managing College Essays Using Prompt and other Tools in GuidedPath

Writing Made Easier

During the pandemic, we have seen the number of colleges not requiring test scores grow considerably. Because of this, the college essay has increased in importance in the college admissions process. Prompt is integrated into GuidedPath as a tool to help you. Learn more about how essays are updated in GuidedPath, and how to use Prompt or other college planning tools with your students.

https://youtu.be/W3qWS6yrlGo

Essay Questions Are Included in GuidedPath

All the essays prompts in GuidedPath are provided FREE through Prompt. The essays are easily accessible in the college profiles, within the ESSAYS tab. For more details, view our knowledge based article on college essays here.

Services Offered by PROMPT
Did you know you can also use other PROMPT services right in GuidedPath? Prompt offers three products for you to choose from:

Essay Management Software. This is built right into GuidedPath. It provides brainstorming and essay organizing tools, based on the colleges on a student’s list. Watch the recording above to learn more about the essay management tool or check out our knowledge base article. Cost: $50/student.
Essay Reviews. Prompt can save you time by reviewing students first, second or multiple drafts of an essay. You have complete control of the process and outcome. NEW! Prompt now’s derivative essay feature. Students can turn one essay into an essay for multiple colleges. Learn more about it from the webinar. Cost: Varies by the word count of the essay and the number of drafts. Ranges from $16-$51. See Essay Review pricing details HERE.
Editor Network. The Editor Network is “a secure team of dedicated editors who are assigned to your organization”. Each student is assigned a single editor. Cost: $25- $100 per student, based on the membership level you have with Prompt. Learn more about the Editor Network here.
Special Offer From PROMPT On Membership Levels

In addition to the List Prices for essay support, PROMPT offers two membership levels to save you money as you bundle essay support services together. Take advantage of a special offer by Prompt for GuidedPath users (or potential users) when you pre-purchase student essay support accounts.

Basic Membership: Essay management software in GuidedPath, Editor Network (select student to enroll), and Essay review (at regular price).

Premium Membership: Essay management software in GuidedPath, Editor Network (for all your students), and Essay review (40% off NEW derivative essays and $5 final checks on essays).

It's all about Writing With the number of colleges students can apply to without tests, the importance of the college essay has increased in importance in the college admissions pr...

GuidedPath updated their address.

How To Engage Students Using GuidedPath

Engaging Students Challenge

Engaging students is often the biggest struggle we have as consultants. Who can teach us best to engage our students? A student! Carmen, a student who has used GuidedPath throughout her college planning process, discusses what was beneficial to her.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8YoCRo7w8iA

Engaging Students Series

This webinar is part of an ongoing series, Engaging Students Webinars, offered by GuidedPath. View these webinars to get more ideas on how you can actively engage students in using GuidedPath.

Engaging Students Series: https://intercom.help/guidedpath/en/collections/495858-webinar-recordings -best-practices

Offered by demand: Friday Forum on Using Pinterest to Promote Your Business with Susan Dabbar - https://mailchi.mp/cyndymcdonald/4-24-friday-forum-recording-presentation-now-available-5849873

Offered by demand: Friday Forum on Using Pinterest to Promote Your Business with Susan Dabbar

Offered by demand: Friday Forum on Using Pinterest to Promote Your Business with Susan Dabbar - https://mailchi.mp/cyndymcdonald/4-24-friday-forum-recording-presentation-now-available-5849825

Offered by demand: Friday Forum on Using Pinterest to Promote Your Business with Susan Dabbar

It is now official, and we can shout from the rooftops, GuidedPath is now a part of MaiaLearning. The CEO of MaiaLearning, Satish Mirle, sent a letter to all our users yesterday, announcing the change. https://intercom.help/guidedpath/en/articles/4477390-satish-mirle-ceo-of-maialearning-announces-purchase-of-guidedpath

Satish Mirle, CEO of MaiaLearning announces purchase of GuidedPath | GuidedPath Help Center I hope you are keeping safe. I know the uncertainty of GuidedPath has been quite unnerving. I am glad to announce the uncertainty is now over. GuidedPath has been acquired by MaiaLearning.As we spoke to almost 100 IECs through our demonstrations of MaiaLearning, it was apparent no platform could ful...

Register NOW for today's Friday Forum; Marketing Mindset with Susan Dabbar - https://mailchi.mp/3d08933135fc/4-24-friday-forum-recording-presentation-now-available-5829237

Register NOW for today's Friday Forum; Marketing Mindset with Susan Dabbar

Invite to Friday Forum Aug 28; Marketing Mindset with Susan Dabbar - https://mailchi.mp/7f7828c42e30/4-24-friday-forum-recording-presentation-now-available-5829229

Invite to Friday Forum Aug 28; Marketing Mindset with Susan Dabbar

Friday Forum: Amplified Adolescent Anxiety During a Pandemic with Jed Applerouth - https://mailchi.mp/92b562fe5349/4-24-friday-forum-recording-presentation-now-available-5824565

Friday Forum: Amplified Adolescent Anxiety During a Pandemic with Jed Applerouth

Special Friday Forum Today: Tips For Choosing a New College Planning Technology - https://mailchi.mp/6507a52e16e2/4-24-friday-forum-recording-presentation-now-available-5822757

Special Friday Forum Today: Tips For Choosing a New College Planning Technology

Special Friday Forum Tomorrow: Tips For Choosing a New College Planning Technology - https://mailchi.mp/53d8602d9e23/4-24-friday-forum-recording-presentation-now-available-5822661

Special Friday Forum Tomorrow: Tips For Choosing a New College Planning Technology

I am conducting a survey specifically for IEC's about work-life balance. Please take the survey and share your thoughts. The survey is open now. It will close August 1. I will then share the results.

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScXG8nEUxfoGYsd331E7VuxoOhYqp3xIu5aR3o6_symQj6mKg/viewform?usp=sf_link

My Work Life Survey We all have personal and professional lives. How do you feel about the mix you currently have in your life between these two areas? This survey is being conducted among IEC's throughout the world. We will collate the results and share in webinars and interviews.

The mess that is elite college admissions, explained by a former dean

An excellent article https://www.vox.com/the-highlight/2019/5/1/18311548/college-admissions-secrets-myths

vox.com Eight things I wish people understood about my old job.

Wild West Bus Tour

More summer college tours- these are in Colorado and New Mexico https://rmacac.org/professional-development/wildwestbustour/

rmacac.org Visit the post for more.

2019 MOACAC Show-Me Tour

A summer college tour to take in the great state of Missiour! https://www.eventbrite.com/e/2019-moacac-show-me-tour-registration-58289103277

eventbrite.com The MOACAC Show-Me Tour, open to all college counselors in the US and abroad, showcases Missouri’s colleges and universities.

This just came across my desk this morning- I wanted to share with all the women pursuing their dreams through post secondary certificates. It is the Ingrid Skulstad Scholarship. It is worth up to $5000 toward course fees in UCLA certificates. https://www.uclaextension.edu/sites/default/files/pdf/Skulstad.pdf

pages.uclaextension.edu

Our Roles as Educators and Parents in the Wake of the College Admissions Scandal - McMillan Education

I wanted to share this recent post from one of the leading college counseling organizations in the country. McMillan Education is located in the Boston metro area, but serve families across the world. We need more views like this shared! https://www.mcmillaneducation.com/news-and-insights/news/our-roles-as-educators-and-parents-in-the-wake-of-the-college-admissions-scandal-2689

mcmillaneducation.com As both educators and parents, we are devastated and saddened by the current college admissions scandal. The news has understandably incited fear, confusion, and indignation among parents, students and professionals in the admission field. We are writing here to address each of these concerns.

Online Education: Wave of the Future?

guidedpath.net More and more retail businesses are abandoning brick and mortar for online services only. Is Higher Education headed that direction too? Studies show the definition of a “typical student” is more

Professionalism is Critical in the College Counseling Profession

guidedpath.net The world of college admissions made headlines last week as the story of the college admissions scam set up by an unscrupulous independent college counselor from California hit the news. Many wea

Summer Institutes Offered

guidedpath.net In my UCLA and in my work with professional organizations, two summer trainings specifically for independent educational consultants (IEC's) stand out. If you are looking for an exceptional trai

National Speaker Peter VanBuskirk Offers Workshop at NCAG Conference

guidedpath.net National speaker Peter VanBuskirk will be offering his renowned workshop, Hot Spots, Hooks and Hidden Agendas at the upcoming NCAG (National College Advocacy Group) conference on Monday, May 13, 2019

IEC Professional Development- Spring & Summer Opportunities

guidedpath.net As professionals, we need to stay abreast of current trends, keep up to date on data, and continue to hone our professional expertise.  One of the best ways to do this is through conferences

Are Students and Colleges Headed into a Collision Course Soon?

guidedpath.net The numbers of students is diminishing. The cost of education is going up. What are colleges doing to prepare for the future? This topic was recently covered in an interview with the president of We

Student Sparks Idea

guidedpath.net How do assignments and scholarships go together? Afte a student expressed a need for creating a scholarship calendar, we fou

California State University

If you have students applying to the Ca State University system, let them know about this deadline extension.

With many prospective students, their families and communities facing hardship due to wildfires affecting the entire state, the CSU is extending the priority application deadline for fall 2019 admission to Dec. 15.

Seize Control of Career Exploration with YouScience and GuidedPath Partnership

guidedpath.net GuidedPath is excited to announce a new partnership with YouScience. YouScience provides students a tool for understanding their personal aptitudes and connecting their aptitudes to career exploration. This partnership gives each GuidedPath subscriber a special YouScience link to add to your GuidedP...

guidedpath.net

Expand Your Brand With Test Prep (from Method Test Prep)

guidedpath.net More and more, IEC and schools are bringing the test preparation under their own roof, in order to manage the test prep process, provide quality services, and increase marketing and revenue. Method Te

What Data in GuidedPath is New and Why It Should Mean Something to You

guidedpath.net Join the GuidedPath team to view this year's new data. This year marks a distinct milestone in new data, particularly in ACT/SAT data. Join the GuidedPath team as they show you the new data, and wha

Headed to NACAC? Let us know. We can schedule a time to meet while in Salt Lake City!

Why Is College in America So Expensive?

A topic often discussed and lamented- the high cost of college in US. https://www.theatlantic.com/education/archive/2018/09/why-is-college-so-expensive-in-america/569884/

theatlantic.com The outrageous price of a U.S. degree is unique in the world.

Application season is almost here!

guidedpath.net Pumpkin Spice Lattes return to Starbucks on Tuesday. And never mind the fact that it's still 90+ degrees outside - it's fall! Time for pumpkin-spice everything, sweaters, football - and College Ap

California Today: At Merced, the Changing Face of the U.C. System

As a consultant with students applying to UC Merced, I found this article very interesting https://www.nytimes.com/2018/07/20/us/california-today-uc-merced-latinos.html

nytimes.com Friday: Diversity at the newest U.C. campus, increasing health insurance premiums and “The Brady Bunch” house is for sale in Los Angeles.