Destination YOUniversity Dr. Cynthia Colon

IF YOUR CHILD IS CLASS OF 2025, s/he is SEVEN months away from applying to college. KEEP reading for my invitation.

Did you know that the University of California system once required only two essays, with a 1000 word limit? In College Essay Bootcamp 1.0 (Senior Fast Track) students completed TWO essays. In 2016, the UC application offered 8 choices and students had to choose 4 essays (aka PIQs: Personal Insight Questions) at a 350 word limit each, a total of 1400 words. 

College Essay Bootcamp 2.0 re-booted in 2017, the year my first book came out. I still remember offering our first essay workshop in the living room of my cousin’s home (Thank you, Luisa). The photo here is from that very workshop. 

Since 2017 there are FOUR Signature Essays EVERY applicant needs, whether you are applying to the UC system or not. 


Who Am I?  episode


What Am I Good At?  


What is Cool About Me?  


Why This Major? 



In fact, today we have a signature 90-Minute Essay Workshop that gets students from brainstorm to 10 ideas and 2 drafted essays. Boom!

My team and I are headed to LILA School in Burbank on Saturday for a 4-Hour workshop. Chris and I can’t wait!

MY INVITATION TO YOU: 

YOU AND YOUR CHILD (Yes, parents can join as well) are invited to take this  90-MINUTE CHALLENGE. 

Join us for our MINI ESSAY WORKSHOP 

Sunday, April 28 at 4pm PDT 

Wednesday, May 1 at 5pm PDT

After just 90 Minutes, your child will walk away

👉 Feeling confident and five steps ahead of the game!

👉 With clarity on what to write, knowing s/he has something interesting to write about.

👉With a teen-proofed, battle tested, 3-Step writing formula that can repeated over and over again!

✅Remember: Students Aren’t Rejected, Applications Are. Learn HOW to submit the BEST college application possible and you are sure to maximize college acceptance letters!!

Register: MINI ESSAY WORKSHOP 

See you soon! Have a Happy and Sunny Day!

Dr. C

Today you are going to hear from my #1 Go-To for all things Financial Aid and helping parents get the MOST $$ for college. Our guest today, Stephanie Hancock, President and Founder of CollegeAid Works. 

If you are a parent of a college bound teenager currently in high school, this episode is for you. 

If you want a huge head start in making sure YOUR family gets ALL the $$ you deserve, this episode is definitely for you!!

Every parent wants the best college options for their child. The problem is school counselors are not easily accessible until late junior year. 

At Destination YOUniversity, we know families need key information and actionable to-dos in order to access top 100 colleges. That is why I started the podcast, Destination YOUniversity.

Every Wednesday, I interview former parents, school leaders and college admission folks that offer key tips and strategies on how to become a better parent, educator, mentor or student. Whether your college bound teen is in middle school or high school, you will leave with valuable information and golden nuggets to apply immediately! 



Thanks for joining us today!



Have a happy and sunny day!! 

Dr. C



#betterwewednesday #destinationYOUniversitypodcast  #becommittedgetadmitted #drcynthiacolon #highschoolparents #highschoolstudents #collegecounselor #collegedreams #top100colleges #publicschoolstudentsprivateschoolservice #happysuccessexpert #destinationYOUniversity #collegecounselor #collegeadmissions

I’ve been divorced now for nearly 9 years, but I still remember one of the highlights of my marriage and a trip we took one spring. The truth is - my ex-husband, maybe more than anyone knows I was once a snob about private colleges versus public. I had no reason to be, but I was. Today is about a trip we took to his alma mater BEFORE we were married.


#fulldisclosurefriday #myreallife #entrepreneurs #edupreneurs #educators #sidehustle #tedxspeaker #author #becommittedgetadmitted #drcynthiacolon #publicschoolstudentsprivateschoolservice #happysuccessexpert #destinationYOUniversity #collegecounselor #collegeadmissions

Ok, so this is me attempting to record in my new “studio” space. Don’t tell Courtney that I took over her living room with all equipment, ring light and all. This was my attempt to record with higher quality (i.e. NOT zoom) and see if I felt comfortable enough to NOT have a loose script in front of me. This was tricky for sure. 

Anyway, cheers to Daryl for editing this video in a quick turnaround time. I was behind this week, so, my bad. 

I’d love your feedback!! WATCH the video for a better experience than just an audio podcast. So even if you usually listen, take time to watch this one. I think it’s under 20 minutes. 

Anywho, who is this episode for?

HELLO – anyone with a college bound teenager who wants to increase their chances of more acceptance letters. 

And, this episode is especially for families of students who attend public or Catholic schools. Trust me, you need EVERY advantage you can get. Why, because your private school counterparts already know the game that you are likely 5 steps behind in. 

No worries, I got you! 

Watch and learn!

And - wherever you are, have a happy and sunny day! 

Dr. C 



Download your FREE 10 Sample Essays

Purchase 40+ Winning Essays To Top 100 Colleges

Essay Camp Dates 2024:

JUNE: 17 and 24 

JULY:  22, 29

AUGUST: 5, 12, 19



#truthtalkthursday #collegeessays #collegeessaybootcamp #essaycamp #becommittedgetadmitted #drcynthiacolon #highschoolparents #highschoolstudents #collegecounselor #collegedreams #top100colleges #publicschoolstudentsprivateschoolservice #happysuccessexpert #destinationYOUniversity #collegecounselor #collegeadmissions

Today you are going to hear from my #1 Go-To for all things Financial Aid and helping parents get the MOST $$ for college. Our guest today, Stephanie Hancock, President and Founder of CollegeAid Works. 

If you are a parent of a college bound teenager currently in high school, this episode is for you. 

If you want a huge head start in making sure YOUR family gets ALL the $$ you deserve, this episode is definitely for you!!


#drcynthiacolon #author #tedxspeaker #collegeadmissionexpert #dreamcollegeacademy #collegeessaybootcamp #essaycamp #becommittedgetadmitted #highschoolparents #highschoolstudents #collegecounselor #collegedreams #top100colleges #publicschoolstudentsprivateschoolservice #destinationYOUniversity #collegecounselor #collegeadmissions

I didn’t always believe I am smart.

I didn’t always have goals and strive for more.

But thank goodness I met a friend in freshman year at USC. She doesn’t know it, but she changed my life. 

In this episode I shared openly and honestly about our relationship. What it meant to me and what you and your child can learn for this. 

Enjoy! 

#fulldisclosurefriday #myreallife #entrepreneurs #edupreneurs #educators #sidehustle #tedxspeaker #author #becommittedgetadmitted #drcynthiacolon #publicschoolstudentsprivateschoolservice #happysuccessexpert #destinationYOUniversity #collegecounselor #collegeadmissions