Capstone Educational Consultants

Helping Students and Families Navigate the College Journey

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New Location – Peachtree City

We’re growing and needed to find a new location to meet those demands, so we found it in the heart of Peachtree City!  This new location is conveniently located across the street from McIntosh High School and easily accessed by all of Fayette County’s other high schools.

Our new address is 6000 Shakerag Hill, Ste. 108, Peachtree City, GA, 30269.  Directly behind the Waffle House!

Pinwheel of College Pennants

This new address will involve several changes.  Over the next several months, we’ll be announcing ACT/SAT test prep opportunities, ACT/SAT practice tests nearly every weekend, academic tutoring, and much more to complement our already successful and favored college admissions consulting.

When it comes right down to it, Capstone has been a growing presence in Fayette County, assisting families and students far and wide.  With this new location, we are positioned to provide the same quality and respected service at a sweeter value without the hassle of those congested roadways.

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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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College Essay Bootcamp

College Essay Bootcamp StudentsFor rising high school seniors across the country, the answer to getting a head start on college essays could be attending a local college essay bootcamp.  Unfortunately many simply procrastinate the inevitable and find themselves rushing to complete one of the more critical components of the college admissions process.

There are many opportunities to get a jump on the college essay.  Most colleges require as a minimum requirement a Personal Statement Essay and many others further require supplemental essays covering topics from why you chose this college to the most meaningful event in your life and why.

The process is simple — write the essay and submit with your application.  But in such a competitive admissions environment, students are faced with challenges of making their college essay as spotless as possible.

Some go at it alone in a quiet place, hammering drafts after drafts — searching for the very perfect topic, structure and angle for their essay.  Or, others are able to attend workshops or bootcamps to assist them along the way – making the process less stressful, far less painful with the assurance of capturing the best of angles and topics as it relates to them personally. 

We are offering a College Essay Bootcamp, College Essay Branstorming Workshop and many more!  More details can be found on Capstone’s Facebook Page under Upcoming Events!

Hurry though, space is limited and time is running out for registration!

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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