The college application process can be overwhelming for both the student and their family. Our primary focus is on making your journey as stress-free as possible by leveraging tools, sharing information from the many college visits that we conduct every year, and applying a wealth of real-world experience gained from our work with other students.

Our proven methods enable us to work together easily to achieve positive results no matter where you call home. Whether you live in nearby Annapolis, Severna Park, Arnold, or Riva, further away in Columbia, or even as far as, Delaware, Kentucky and Canada you will receive the same level of highly personalized service.

Add your story to our growing list of successful outcomes Take the first step to a bright future and request a free meeting with me today.

Partner Cori Dykman

Cori Dykman is a graduate of the University of Michigan’s Ross Business School. She worked in the computer industry for many years and has been very involved in volunteering in the public schools system including at the Anne Arundel County Board of Education.  She is an educational consultant who relates exceptionally well to teens and understands adolescent and parental issues. Her warm tailored approach seem to consistently make the difference for the students that she partners with.

Since 2008 Cori has visited over 180 colleges, taken multiple courses, done extensive research, and has given talks and a webinar on college related issues. She is a professional member of IECA (Independent Educational Consultants Association) which is the most prestigious organization for educational consulting, in order to keep industry standards high and stay updated on this constantly changing and nuanced process.

Partner Mike Stapleton    703-801-4965    Mike@AnnapolisCollegeConsulting.com

Mike Stapleton is a graduate of the US Naval Academy, and a retired Navy helicopter pilot. He has spent his career after the Navy as a business leader in national security affairs.  He has been a corporate mentor for 6 years at CACI Inc, where he was recognized with an Inspired Leadership Award, nominated by his own employees for caring and ethical leadership.  He has assisted over 30 retiring military personnel with transition to the civilian workforce.  In this role, he improved resumes, helped with job placement, and provided interview and job search assistance.  As a corporate hiring manager, he has screened and hired hundreds of candidates for the past 15 years.

As a naval officer, Mike has taught Military Leadership at the Naval Academy, and was hoping to teach English there until he was asked by the Commandant of Midshipmen to be his Executive Assistant. In his tour at the Academy, he also served as a Company Officer, serving as military commander and professional mentor and role-model to 125 midshipmen. He has coached 7 applicants for Service Academies, with all seven being accepted to the Naval Academy—including his daughter Julie, a 2015 graduate.

As a volunteer sports coach, he coached the Naval Academy Women’s ice hockey team for 2 seasons, coached the Naval Academy men’s ice hockey team for a season, Archbishop Spalding High School girl’s ice hockey team for 9 seasons, and a Cape St Clair team of 12-year old girls in the county softball league for two seasons.

Mike is an expert technical writer, who enjoys brainstorming, revising, and improving college essays, and resumes.  He mentor’s students on how to write effectively, and originate interesting essay concepts, structure the document, and bring out the uniqueness of the student.  Being a hiring manager, Mike has interviewed over 100 employment candidates, and advises on body language & posture, dress, charisma, interview strategy, business courtesies, and stress management.

Mike has looked forward to joining Annapolis College Consulting for almost 10 years!  His lifelong interest in teaching and volunteering coupled with his corporate and military management and leadership is a perfect background for the college admission process.  He endured the college admission process with his two daughters and knows first-hand how overwhelming and daunting it can be without a proven method, structured pathway and an expert’s advice.

Associate Meghan Foeckler     Meghan@AnnapolisCollegeConsulting.com           410-562-7927  

Meghan’s experience with navigating higher education was not an easy one.  She began her college studies at the California Maritime Academy in Vallejo, CA pursuing a degree in Marine Transportation.  After a year, she transferred to Whittier College in Whittier, CA.  There she changed her major several more times before settling on a Liberal Arts degree with a focus on Studio Art.

After graduation, she moved back to Maryland to be with her family, unsure as to the best career path for her.  She knew that she loves working directly with people and eventually began working at University of Maryland University College as an Military and Veterans Advanced Academic Advisor.  After 2 years of working in the call center environment, she was tired of having students be equated to “just a number.”  She wanted to get to know students on a more personal level by working with them face to face vs. only over the phone.  She was promoted to Military Education Coordinator and moved to the Education Center at Fort Meade and NSA.  In September of 2014, she completed her Masters of Science in Management with a specialization in Human Resources and attempted to break into the field of HR.  After deciding that HR was not a fulfilling career path (for her), she realized that helping students successfully navigate the field of higher education was where her heart truly lay.

Upon re-entering the field of higher education, Meghan served as Associate Director of Admissions at Capitol Technology University in Laurel, MD for a year and a half.  As reports of increased student loan debt emerged year after year, she had had enough!  After her experience in higher education, she knew that a college degree didn’t need to be expensive, require students to graduate with student loan debt and set off on a journey to help families minimize and eliminate student loan debt for high school students.

In addition to helping high school students navigate the college admissions process, finding schools where the student can truly thrive, graduate with minimal to no debt, and be well prepared for college life, she is also active in a number of other areas of higher education.  She currently teaches Ethics at Capitol Technology University, and also runs her own business that specifically serves active duty military and veterans (helping them to expedite the completion of their degree without going into debt), and teaches religious education on Sundays at her local parish.

Meghan currently lives in North Laurel, MD with her husband and three cats.  She enjoys reading historical fiction, adult coloring books, hiking, and is an avid swimmer.  Over Meghan’s 5+ year tenure in higher education she has worked with over 5,000 students and greatly looks forward to assisting your child with this process!

Meghan is an Associate Member of the Independent Education Consultants Association (IECA) and a member of the Potomac and Chesapeake Association for College Admission Counseling (PCACAC).  She is also working towards the Independent Educational Consultant certificate from UC Irvine.

From an article published by the Anne Arundel Development Corporation:

First Friday Success Story: November
Client Name/Owner: Cori Dykman
Name of Business: Annapolis College Consulting 
Type of Business: College Consulting

Cori Dykman has always had a passion for assisting students, especially in continuing education. She opened her own business, Annapolis College Consulting, in September 2008. Her goal is finding the right fit colleges for the student where they can fulfill their potential, succeed, and graduate. Ms. Dykman assists with the whole college process, helps build strong resumes, strategically brainstorms essay topics, teaches interviewing skills, and helps students receive merit aid scholarships. Most importantly her assistance and experience helps to improve the college outcome and manage the stress that this process can produce. Each student is unique, and she tailors her assistance to their personal needs.

Cori Dykman first came to the Small Business Development Center located in the Anne Arundel Economic Development Corporation in February of 2014. She wanted to market her business more effectively to attract new clients. Ms. Dykman knew this was a service that not only students, but parents would want to invest in to improve their child’s chances of being accepted into their top choice school. It also increased their chances of graduation by identifying schools that fit their child’s goals and dreams.

SBDC business consultant, Hollis Minor assisted Cori Dykman in reviewing her SEO optimization strategy to make sure clients could easily find her on the web. Hollis Minor helped outline a marketing strategy to include speaking engagements, articles, networking, and reaching out to test-prep consultants. In September 2014, Ms. Dykman began to meet with SBDC consultant Candace Pruett. Candace assisted with strengthening her social media marketing tools and continuing implementation of her marketing strategy. Since working with the SBDC, Ms. Dykman has reached her goal of clients, and is continuing to grow her business. Her impressive success rate is much higher than the national average. 85% of students are accepted into their first choice college, 90% of her students stay at the college they started at, and 90% of those students have graduated on-time, with some even graduating early.

Cori Dykman states, “Working with SBDC has been extremely beneficial from numerous vantage points. Firstly, preparing for the meetings inspires me to look at my business more globally. What areas should I be focusing on that I am not, what could I improve and how, and what do I need feedback on? The discussions and ideas have increased my sales and visibility in the college consulting marketplace. Hollis Minor told me that I should have people lining up to work with me, since on average I save them $60,000 on the cost of college through merit aid scholarships. With their help, I now have a thriving practice. I consider the advisors at SBDC to be excellent and worthwhile!”

https://aaedc.org/first-friday-success-stories-annapolis-college-consulting/

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No matter where you are on your path to college acceptance, we can help add your story to our growing list of successful outcomes. Take the first step to a brighter future and request a free meeting with me today.