Hidden Gems: Meet Cynthia Wagner of College Help Squad

Today we’d like to introduce you to Cynthia Wagner.

Hi Cynthia, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
College Help Squad started 3 years ago. Karrie and I focused on a plan for the business and a plan for the students and families. It is how we have worked well with each other and our families. Karrie’s method is what helps the students get into the right fit colleges and assist with the financial aspect, if needed. We have grown to have essay coaches, a FAFSA team and now we are sharing our message and anecdotes on social media to help those that need a little insight but cannot afford a college help team.

Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
So far, so good. We develoiped our business plan at the begining and it works for us. Cynthia is the Planner and the face of the business, Karrie is the Counselor working with the students. We have done great together by this method and it works because we are both doing what we love.

Starting the business we created a plan for the students. Karrie’s method isn’t a secret in the industry but staying on track has helped our families complete the college journey and find the right fit college.

We have not had struggles.

As you know, we’re big fans of College Help Squad. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about the brand?
We specialize in helping students find the right fit college not always the name brand. What does a student want to study? Our first step is the personality profile to find 3 majors because we know students can change their mind, so having the majors and finding one college that offers all three keeps the family on the same trajectory.

We also assist families with students that have an IEP or 504. Learning challenges are just one of the areas where students are misguided and not assisted well with the college process and fijnding colleges that serve these students and families. This is an area where Karrie is a very strong counselor and knows the ins-and-outs of serving students with needs.

What sets us a part is our method or student plan, we are full-time, meaning most counselors work at a school during the day and do this in the evening. We are here during normal business hours. We focus on the student to find the right fit school not just the name brand school.

I am most proud of Karrie and how she works with each student based on the plan but offers one-on-one service, care almost concierge style. She treats each student and their dreams independently. Not all students are thesame and neither are their needs.

What I want others to know is that we are full-time, we assist IEP and 504 families, the family is working with the same counselor from start to finish, not who is at the desk that day. We will take care of the family requests and student requests. We are very hands on.

We also stay aware of what is going on in CA with UCs, Cal States, Community Colleges, Cal Matters, CADA to be in the know and advocate where we can with our Congressman, Assemblymember or State Sentator.

Can you share something surprising about yourself?
That we reach out to our State Assemblymember, State Senator and VICA so that we can stay up-to-date with politics to assist our families.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://collegehelpsquad.com
• Instagram: collegehelpsq
• Facebook: College Help Squad
• LinkedIn: College Help Squad
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@collegehelpsquad
• Other: Tik Tok collegehelpsquad

Image Credits
Ross Benson