Thriving Students,

Bright Futures

At CMCA, we go beyond college applications—we build real connections. By getting to know each student, we craft personalized plans, making the college journey clear and manageable. With structured guidance and unwavering support, we empower students to stay on track, thrive in high school, and confidently pursue their college and career paths.

Meet Cindy

Some people are lucky enough to do exactly what they were meant to do—I’m one of them. I’ve spent my life as a teacher, coach, counselor, and mom of five (yes, five!), so I know firsthand how overwhelming high school can be. SATs/ACTs, extracurriculars, choosing the right classes, figuring out a major—it’s a lot. That’s where I come in.

Think of me as part mentor, part strategist, part cheerleader, and—when necessary—a gentle but firm accountability coach. I help students navigate the college process without the stress spiraling out of control. My purpose? To build their confidence, help them find the right path, and keep them moving toward achieving their goals.

Years in the classroom taught me that students thrive when expectations are high but the support is real. I’ve been bringing that same balance to college counseling for 10+ years—keeping things structured but never stuffy.

With a master’s in education and a bachelor’s in sociology, I geek out on the latest admissions trends, and honestly, touring colleges is my idea of fun. Helping students find a school where they’ll truly shine isn’t just my job—it’s my calling.

Meet the Team

Why Use Cindy McCormick College Advising?

Student Connection

Our students come first. High school counselors can have overwhelming caseloads and often start the process late. We provide one-on-one guidance early in high school, ensuring students feel supported and make informed decisions when it counts.

Family Harmony

We guide families through high school as a trusted liaison with a third-party perspective. By holding students accountable, we cultivate independence and encourage ownership of the process. Our coaching builds confidence and allows parents to step back, knowing the work will get done.

Insider Knowledge

The college admissions landscape is constantly evolving, and we love keeping up. Through campus visits, conversations with admissions reps, and industry networks, we stay informed on the latest changes so families feel confident and supported every step of the way.

Learn More About Our Program

The CMCA Game Plan

College isn’t just about applications—it’s about shaping a future. It’s about discovering strengths, making informed choices, and building the confidence to take that next big step. At CMCA, we don’t just guide students through the process; we help them own it. Because when they feel in control, they don’t just get into college—they THRIVE in it.

Explore

Before students can decide where they’re going, they need to know what’s out there. We open their eyes to new possibilities—colleges they hadn’t considered, career paths they never knew existed, and experiences that inspire them. Self-discovery is the first step, and we give them the space to explore it fully. The earlier they start, the more opportunities they can seize. Awareness = confidence. Confidence = better choices.

Plan

High school flies by. One minute it’s freshman orientation, the next it’s junior year crunch time. The key? A smart plan. We help students make the right choices—what classes to take, when (or whether) to tackle the SAT or ACT, how to maximize summers, and which extracurriculars actually matter. With regular check-ins, we keep students focused, intentional, and strategic. The result? A standout application that tells a compelling story—their story.

Apply

By the time applications roll around, our students are ready. No last-minute scrambling. No panic. Just clarity, confidence, and a well-crafted narrative that sets them apart. From applications to essays to deadlines, we make sure they’re putting their absolute best foot forward—without losing their sanity in the process.

Thrive

The goal isn’t just getting into college—it’s setting students up for success in college and beyond. With a strong foundation and a clear sense of purpose, they step into their next chapter ready to embrace every opportunity. Because when they’ve made the most of high school, they walk into college knowing exactly who they are and what they can achieve.

What Our Families Have to Say …

“We cannot thank you enough for the amazing job you did with Brock. You connected with him and inspired him to do his best and work so hard. It would not have been possible at all without YOU! He enjoyed the whole process and we really were not stressed because of you. You are so gifted! I cannot explain in any words our gratitude. My heart is overflowing with love and appreciation! We love you Cindy. Thank you so much!”
— Julie B.
“We're elated! CMCA 100% guided Coco throughout high school to take the right classes, exams, etc. to get where she is today. I like that you keep up to date on what's new with admissions, because I know it's always changing. I enjoyed the webinars very much. Even having already been through the college admissions process - it's nice to hear the information again and to hear from other parents. The best part was encouraging her to research schools all across the nation and your ability to point her to schools we may have overlooked. Thank you for encouraging your students to explore beyond the obvious and to “trust the process.” 100% on target!”
— Barbara K.
“The spot Austin landed is still so astounding considering the starting point and our story book ending is all because of YOU! While we didn’t know it at the time, you were our winning lottery ticket! Rewinding the tape to three years ago, we were in a constant battle on why college and grades matter. He started to open his mind when he began working with you. This in and of itself was a huge relief as he often rebels against our ideas, but he was immediately receptive to your input. Anything that happened was followed by, “What does Cindy think?” You navigated us to perfection every step of the way. You helped us enroll in research which was an absolute home run, narrowed the list of schools that were the best fit for Austin, proofreading and being honest with him about his content, finding him strong SAT tutors, and holding him accountable with what he needed to do. I’m sure I’m forgetting other important things you’ve done. Most importantly, you knew how to work with him to get results. You showed such patience. In fact, I always worried you were going to say "ENOUGH" because he had you on speed dial! All this is to say that you’re a world class college advisor! And, we could not be any happier with how you’ve navigated us through this process. None of this is possible without you, not even close, The name Cindy McCormick will forever be revered in our household! My only hope is that you have more magic left for our next two children!”
— Peter W.
“Cole loved your meetings, and I really appreciate your detailed summaries. You got so much accomplished and sparked such enthusiasm in Cole towards this process. We feel that he is in such great hands with you helping him! Thank you for all of your thoughtfulness and time. You have such a natural talent for this and a great skill at working with young adults. Cole was so positive because of your guidance. Thanks for taking the stress out of this!”
— Lisa D.
“I just wanted to sincerely thank you for the time you spent with Ava in helping her identify and apply for colleges that are a good fit for her. She gained a lot of confidence and understanding in working with you. She felt even more sure of what she was looking for in a school thanks to your guidance and insight. I especially want to thank you for helping her write about her experiences in high school in a way that was compelling and focused on growth and strength. I truly believe that some of her trials and experiences have been used for good, and you were able to help her capture that in her essays. Thank you!! I could not have seen them from those angles as a parent, but I’m so grateful that you did. She is thrilled to have been accepted to all three of her top choice schools. Now she gets to choose and it sure feels nice to be in the driver’s seat. Once again, let me reiterate how much we’ve appreciated working with you over the last two years. You are very, very good at what you do and are just such an awesome mentor for youth. Thank you for making the process of applying for college less stressful and even more importantly, for helping draw out the best from both of our daughters in their essays and applications. You have such a gift for this!”
— Sara H.
“Cindy is the best! I can’t sing her praises enough. I love how she interacts with the kids. I tell people she’s like a patient fisherman who casts the line and pulls the kids’ information from them to help formulate their college essays. And, most of all, since she builds the connection with the kids, I was 100% hands off for Natalia’s whole college application experience—no nagging, no fighting, no bugging her about it. She just plugged away at it all with Cindy setting the course.”
— Nicole V.
“We celebrate this success WITH YOU as it would not have been possible without you! Thank you for helping and guiding her patiently through the entire process. It definitely took all the stress away from us. It’s been amazing to see where she started and where she ended—truly a testament to your coaching and your ability to connect with the student and bring out the best in them. THANK YOU AGAIN - YOU’RE THE BEST!”
— Rajiv D.
“AMAZING!!! I'm so thankful for your help! I have friends at fancy private high schools who seemed to think their school had advising all covered for them. In most cases it seems like it didn't—there was a disconnect between student and parent, and less nuts and bolts or customized info imparted overall. You really have a system—which you're expert at leading families through. You take a real interest in a kid and their interests, which is so important for guiding and advising them. I knew Jacob needed to be a good student to have a shot - but I feel like we just knew nothing about how to present him, and were not likely to make some strategic choices that would make the final difference to success. For example, you have a great list of resources for summer options and recommended a program (that he applied and got accepted to) that I really think made the difference in his app and essays. I like that you hold them accountable and keep them on track. And it is so much better for them to hear things from you instead of me since I'm already the wrong one or the busy body, etc. Jacob is over the moon with his results. I have no doubt we would have fallen short of the mark without your expert guidance. Thank you so much. Truly.”
— Ceily L.
“I can’t begin to express in words how grateful I am for you. You have made applying to college a fun and organized process. I know both my boys learned so much about themselves during the process. You are a true gift to any family that you help. Please save a spot for my daughter next year. You get 4 more years of my family! Thank you so much from the bottom of my heart.”
— Shelley V.
“Thank you so much for all your help. I am so grateful I was able to work with you. I truly do not think I could have done it without your amazing help and support. I really love all my essays and believe they show a piece of my heart. You helped me put my ideas onto paper, and I am so grateful for it. I am so much more confident and excited about these next upcoming months! Thank you so much again!”
— Ellie B.
“Having Cindy work with our son starting freshman year was just awesome! She helped him pick the optimal set of courses and guided him on summer programs to take—this really helped him figure out what he liked and what he did not. I think we took advantage of all the help that Cindy could give for Arnav to get to where he did! Cindy really took the time to build a rapport and actually understand Arnav. Arnav trusted Cindy completely and that was just the most important thing for us. She really helped him get to where he is. We would not have been able to manage without her support.”
— Reema V.
“We are so happy! Cooper is going to his first pick. Cindy helped him understand what he needed to do all 4 years to increase his chances of admission—class selection, extracurriculars, summer activities. The CMCA program created a framework for him to complete strong college applications with well written essays and activities.”
— Kristina W.
“Your realistic approach held him accountable throughout the process, and your recognition of each student's uniqueness led to solid college options for him. Thank you!”
— Nathanael S.