Capstone Educational Consultants

Helping Students and Families Navigate the College Journey

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Military Academy Applications

Military academy applications are nothing to waste time on getting completed.  In fact, there are many necessary steps far different and above the normal application for admission to your typical college or university.  Missing any one of the many additional steps could not only delay your application but could result in compromising the application review.

The number of applicants across all branches of the military has increased in numbers throughout the last several years.  With more superb applicants have come an increased level of competition.  Students are encouraged to do what they can to make themselves more competitive.  Higher test scores alone will no longer be enough to set potential candidates apart.   The application process for high school juniors begins in January of their junior year and must be completed by October of their senior year!

Here are a few of the many tips offered by the USMA (United States Military Academy):

  • It is your responsibility to complete your file, not your parents. Read all instructions carefully. Do not wait months to contact the office to find out what’s wrong with your file or what you think is missing.  Please put your candidate ID number and state you are from on all your correspondence.
  • Put your CORRECT Social Security number on the SAT/ACT exam, DO NOT GUESS. It will cause problems later in the process. Have the scores sent to USMA from the College Board. The code for USMA SAT is 2924 and ACT is 2976.
  • When it is time for your medical physical, bring copies of all your medical documents with you that pertain to broken bones, allergies, skin diseases or anything that may be an issue down the line. If you have broken a bone, make sure to get a letter from your doctor explaining “that you have returned to full rigorous activities with no limitations”.
  • You can read through all the tips here.

United States Air Force Academy

United States Naval Academy

United States Military Academy at West Point

United States Coast Guard Academy

If you have any questions or need assistance in this journey, send us a quick note here!

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Sending Your ACT Scores To College

Sending your ACT scores to the colleges of your choice is extremely easy once you understand what to  expect. Assuming you studied for the ACT or the SAT, you already know that preparation almost always involves careful planning, and sending your scores to college is no exception.Test

Every ACT registrant has a few different options when it comes to sending their scores to college. Let’s have a look at the 3 different kinds of score reports a student can request:

1. ACT free report:
When you register for the ACT, you are able to choose sending four free score reports. This means, however, if you do not perform as well as you had hoped, the school is still going to see this score. Most would advise against choosing the ACT free report because of the lack of control over whether you will be sending your best (or worst) score to the college of your dreams. That being said, there are some schools that require all ACT scores to be sent to their admissions. Some selective schools including Stanford, Yale, Georgetown, and University of Pennsylvania, among others, require all ACT scores to be sent. There is not a fully comprehensive list available of schools that require all ACT scores sent, so it’s recommended to double check on the school website, as their stance is generally laid out clearly regarding ACT scores. Rest assured, however, that most schools comply with the ACT Score Choice, which we are about to discuss.

2. Regular Report:
The ACT Score Choice allows you to send only scores from specific testing dates to the college of your choice. Note that this does not include individual section scores, however. This is nice because you have the chance to highlight only your highest scores to admissions.  The cost to send one test score to each college is $12, so depending on your situation, this can add up quickly. Let’s imagine you have 7 schools you’d like to apply to. All of these schools allow the ACT superscore, which means they take the best scores from each section of the ACT to form a new “super” composite score.  You’d like to send three tests to each school because on test 1 you scored highest in Reading and English and on test 2 you scored highest on Math and on test 3 you scored highest in Science. The cost to send these 21 tests to 7 schools adds up to $252. This can be as expensive or as affordable as you make it. The key here is that you have the choice.

3. Rush Report:
If time is of the essence, the ACT has got you covered here as well, but, per usual, it’s going to cost you more.  These rush reports will set you back $16.50 each. Regular reports take up to a week to be processed, whereas rush reports are processed within 2 days and are received by the school of your choice within 3-4 business days. It’s important to keep organized with admissions deadlines to avoid requiring rush reporting.

Now that you better understand the ACT Score choice, here are some tips to better plan your testing:

Take The Test At Least Twice:
It’s in your best interest to take the ACT more than once because your scores can improve with familiarity and additional focused practice. Assuming you study between the tests, there is no reason your score should not improve. In addition, if you apply section-specific studying strategies for ACT superscoring, you could focus on studying and improving specific sections at a time and eventually reach a higher composite superscore after taking 2-3 tests.

Relax:
None of the ACT tests you are taking are make or break in regards to your admissions into your top school (assuming you don’t need to send in all tests). However, you should not use this as an excuse to not study or prepare for the test. The advantage of taking the ACT multiple times is to improve upon pinpointed weaknesses and/or reach higher section scores, not to slack off.

Aim to hit your target score within 4 tests:
You should go into the ACT with a solid studying plan and rest assured that you can reach your target score. If the schools you are applying to superscore, then they can pull the highest section scores for a higher overall score. But with the costs of sending these scores as well as the time spent studying and taking the test, it’s best to go into this with an idea of the maximum amount of times you’d like to take the ACT.

Now that you understand the ACT Score Choice, your next step will be to make the purchases! On your online ACT account, you simply click on “Send Your Scores.”  A list of all tests you’ve taken will appear and you will select the date you’d like to send as well as input the school code that you would like to send it to. You have the option to select standard or priority reports.

If you’re not into technology and stuff, you have a few other ways to get your score reports to your school choices:

Hopefully this has helped shed some light on how to get your ACT scores to your preferred schools. Rest assured that if you take the time to strategize your studying and score reporting, there is little stopping you from getting into your top school!

Good luck!

About the Author:
Kristine Thorndyke works for Quesbook, an ACT test prep service that offers students free personalized studying as well as comprehensive study resources.

Are you studying for the ACT? Quesbook offers ACT scholarships of up to $20,000 for high schools preparing for the test. What are you waiting for? Earn some free cash for studying!

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That College Decision By May 1

Making that college decision by May 1 is one of the most important deadlines to remember.  It has been a whirlwind up to this point — applications, essays, campus visits, research, and those long SAT’s or ACT’s.  Nothing feels more right than to finally put your feet up and take a break, after all, you have worked hard to get here!  But unfortunately, there is no time to rest for the weary.  May1DeadlineIt’s decision time and it’s an enormous decision!

This is the time of year when colleges and universities are waiting on you!  But even though they are waiting, they only allow a specified amount of time before those coveted spots are released for others seeking a college to call home.

The May 1 deadline, also known as National Deposit Day to some, is the official day by which current seniors must make up their minds on where they plan to enroll.  Sounds easy, right?  It is a difficult decision for many and unless you are prepared it can become more stressful than getting admitted.

Here are a few things to consider to assist in making this a “no-regret” decision.

  • Like any large purchase, cost is a major factor — take a look at the money.  Hopefully by this point you and your family have completed the FAFSA.  Be sure to know when the Financial Aid Application deadline is at each school on your “make a decision” list.  It is important not to make a decision based on the “sticker price” because any financial aid – (grants, loans, scholarships, etc.) will offset this bottom line.  Be on the lookout for the college to provide you with a Financial Aid Award Letter soon!
  • When it comes to the things you love most, how does the college measure up against those things that interest you?  Whether it be hiking, snow-skiing nearby, certain clubs or organizations on or off campus, shopping, fishing or the such — look more in-depth than just the surface into how the college can satisfy this need.
  • If you are confident on your academic focus, how does the colleges compare as it relates to their program’s reputation, quality and outcomes?  It would be super if all programs were equal, but they are not.  Do as much insightful research into the programs as possible — it’s amazing how much you’ll come to learn.
  • Did I mention opportunities?  Opportunities to engage with professors and the community are critical to building your readiness for the “real-world” with experience through internships or by volunteering.
  • Consider the Big Picture!  When you take a look at the big picture, it is likely no one school will fit everything on your wish list perfectly.  Take a look at the big picture to see what is most important, what weighs more or less and apply those things to what value would be added to both your personal and professional growth.

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Last Minute Gift Ideas

Are you looking for some last minute gift ideas for a family member, neighbor or special someone?  Consider gifting a career assessment, personality type indicator, learning style inventory or multiple intelligence assessment!  They are great and quick options and provide the student or adult valuable information and insight into their world and journey.  Each instrument is filled with details specific to the individual and comes with a personalized report and an *one-hour interpretive session from a certified practitioner.

Here is a brief description for each instrument:

MBTI Certified Logo (PMS)_hiresMyers Briggs Type Indicator – The MBTI® unleashes the knowledge for each person to understand more about themselves and the depth of their own preferences.  It has the ability to unlock personal potential with the keys to awareness of personality types through it’s use in the workplace, career choice and professions, learning styles, relationships and personal growth.

“Good type development can be achieved at any age by anyone who cares to understand his or her own gifts and the appropriate use of those gifts.”    -Isabel Briggs Myers
Strong Certified Logo (CMYK)Strong Interest Inventory® – The Strong is an incredible instrument used in both high school and college settings for students uncertain as to what major and/or career for which they are best suited.  It’s one of the world’s most widely respected career planning tools.  Are you trying to figure out what might be a good fit?  Or maybe you’re in the middle of a career transition and need some ideas!  
logo_lsiLearning Styles Inventory – The LSI is a fantastic way to identify the absolute ideal environment that suits how you learn best, ultimately learning how to study smarter.  Supported by over 30 years of research, the LSI unleashes the student’s unique learning style “to boost confidence, self-esteem and academic achievement.”
logo_miMultiple Intelligence Advantage™ –  When it comes to intellect, there is nothing more powerful than discovering that which is unique about the individual student in order to strengthen all intelligence, boost confidence and explore career possibilities.  There is nothing better than unlocking the understanding of a student’s whole intellect.
Would you like to learn more?  Complete the form below and Mark will contact you!
[contact-form][contact-field label=’Name’ type=’name’ required=’1’/][contact-field label=’Email’ type=’email’ required=’1’/][contact-field label=’I Am Interested In:’ type=’checkbox-multiple’ options=’MBTI®,Strong Interest Inventory®,The Learning Styles Inventory,Multiple Intelligence Advantage’/][contact-field label=’Comment’ type=’textarea’/][/contact-form]
*The one-hour interpretive session can be done in person, via-video conference or phone conference.

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5 Course Application


This is application season, but it’s another season too.  As I look out my office window, there’s a slight breeze in the air and the leaves have a crimson burn.  The evening air is crisp and the days are shorter.  It’s a season that all but forces the thoughts of sweaters, thick socks and some of the best food grandma has ever made.  The smell alone adds another size to the waist-line. 

DessertDuring these festive and bountiful meals pacing is necessary.  Piling it high is the temptation second only to dashing for the dessert table.  There must be a strategy to make it through without immeasurable pain and discomfort.  It takes a plan, time and patience.

I think of another overlapping season.  The college application season is equally festive and overwhelming as is the family feast.  With this season, however, there comes an unnecessary level of stress, anticipation and trepidation over measuring up to the standards for admission.  Much like the season of fall, family and lots of food, the college application season is to be filled with fun.  But unlike the season of good food, the college application season is met with what impact it will have on the future.

Is there a solution to ensuring the college application process can be fun, thorough and productive for everyone? 

I suggest an approach that in all respects may look somewhat like a five course meal.  (Thinking about that just made me hungry!)  Here’s a 5 course plan to avoid college application indigestion:

Amuse

“Most five-course meals open with the amuse bouche (or amuse gueule, depending on whom you ask) a dish that can be eaten in one bite and should ideally excite and prepare the palate for the dinner to come. The amuse is one of the hardest dishes in the progression as it should set the course and bring the theme to the diner in an unmistakable yet playful way. The amuse is normally not counted as a course.” 

This stage in the plan establishes a theme to the rest of of the courses.  The amuse of the college application should begin early – well before the senior year.  With research and discovery, students should enter this amuse stage by doing extensive research regarding colleges and universities they may further identify as good matches.  It’s important to ask the right questions along the way.  Some of those questions may be:  What is the culture like on campus?  Are there any internships or study abroad opportunities?  Do they have the programs that interest you?  Prepare to defend why this college is on your list if someone were to ask.

Soup

“A good soup dish expands upon the amuse and brings a new layer into the composition.”

I equate this stage to learning more about the colleges and universities on your list by visiting the campus.  The campus visit can add an entirely new dimension to the discovery and learning process prior to making application.  This truly is a new layer and dynamic.  By visiting the campus, students are able to visit with actual students, hear stories, talk with professors, share in a classroom experience and obtain an overall “feel” for the college.  If given the opportunity, students may even consider staying the night on campus.

Entree

“The entree is usually not made with red meat (though, again, there are exceptions) and features proteins, starches, vegetables, and a sauce. It’s a small course, or a number of small courses on one plate to start the dinner.”

By the time the entree arrives in the college application process I would suggest a student has already built a solid list of “good-match” colleges or universities.  It is during this stage we encounter many elements that make this such a rich experience.  In addition to the application itself, students will find themselves taking and submitting standardized test scores (ACT or SAT and SAT subject tests where applicable), submitting transcripts, requesting letters of recommendation, building and preparing activities and involvement lists (this could be in the form of a resume or a ZeeMee.com account). 

Cheese

“Following it there’s a cheese course (to close the stomach, as the French say).”

Cheese is grossly overlooked in the American cuisine.  It is, by far, one of the most critical components that can make or break the meal.  The wrong cheese with a great entree can leave a bad taste.  The college essays are very similar in playing such a critical role in the process.  It should not be overlooked.  Rather, the selection of topic and voice in the writing process can either excite the reader or disinterest the reader.  Carefully draft the college essay to reflect who you are.  At this course in the meal, cheese is to be consumed slowly to appreciate the flavor and enhance the overall experience.  Likewise, the college essay should not be rushed.  It is important to take the time to draft and redraft.  You want your essays to compliment and enhance the many elements that tell your story.

Dessert

“Rounding everything up is the dessert (from French “deservir – to clean the table”) course.”

I don’t know about anyone else, but this is my favorite part of the meal.  By the time I get to dessert I’m nearly full, but the sweet celebration is worth every savory bite.  This is the moment to “clean the table” so-to-speak.  You’re done and your hard work is going to pay off.  Your applications are submitted in their entirety and now it’s time to wait for word from each of the colleges or universities on your admission.  Remember, it took a plan, time and patience throughout this journey and if you’ve followed this 5 course plan, there’s no doubt you are ready to celebrate.  Well done!

All italicized quotes are from Jonas Mikka Luster, Former Cook who answered a question on Quora and recently featured in the Huffington Post Blog. 

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/quora/what-does-a-true-five-cou_b_7599524.html