Student Testimonials
Class of 2007
The Capstone Business Academy was definitely the highlight of my summer! I have attended numerous business programs, but this one has been ,by far, the most in-depth and fun experience. You hear professors and guest speakers talk about every possible profession for a business major. From talking to an FBI agent about major cases to asking the CFO of Coca-Cola questions, there is never a dull moment during the program. I met future classmates and roommates who I know will be lifelong friends. I would recommend this program to anyone because it is a great way to get a taste of business without sacrificing fun!
Laura Stingily
The Capstone Business Academy was an amazing experience, and one that helped me gain a better understanding of business. Meeting representatives from Fortune 500companies gave me a more realistic understanding of how companies operate and what to expect from the different areas of business. The classes were very informative, and ultimately helped me makea decision on which area of business I want to study. There was never a dull moment and I loved it! If you are considering pursuing a job in the business field, I highly recommend attending the Capstone Business Academy! I had so much fun, and can't wait to go to school there next year
Gloria Hess
The program was the most rewarding and adventurous experience of my life! It took me out of my comfort zone and challenged me to think differently about business and college life. The program has definitely led me to the business career path and narrowed down what type of business I want to study. The people, the atmosphere, and the students were all so welcoming and inviting to the campus.
Nina Shoaee, Houston, TX
The Capstone Business Academy was an amazing experience that few high school students or even college graduates get to experience. We met with the upper echelon from several of the largest companies in the South. The staff was always cheerful and eager to answer any questions. The information about the different disciplines was eye opening. I highly recommend the program for anyone who has even considered majoring in business.
Mark Penner
The Capstone Business Academywas the highlight of my summer! Besides meeting amazing people from all over the country who I still stay in contact with, I had the chance to see business life at its best. Wevisited corporations where the executives showed us first-hand how their businessfunctioned.It was like getting a backstage tour of the most high-powered companies in the world. Staying on the UA campus was so exciting--it was great to walkin the footsteps of a real student at UA and see where they live, eat, and learn. Life in the dorms wasnon-stop fun, and the counselors always kept us busy with funthings to do. The lecturers and professors had such a wealth of knowledge and were so interesting. The 10 days that I spent in the program wentby much too fast!
Brooke Sheppard
The Capstone Business Academy was an incredible experience! Meeting University professors and learning more about different business majors gave me a much better idea of what areas to study in college. Having personal access to several key Fortune 500 executives afforded valuable insight into what kind of career opportunities exist after college. Discovering Tuscaloosa and the University campus with the other participants was simply a blast! Anyone seriously interested in studying business should explore the opportunities presented in the Academy.
Mary Lillian Johnson, Chattanooga, Tennessee
The Capstone Business Academy was a great experience for me. It gave me insight on the different areas of business and the various opportunities available in the business world. It also gave me a preview on what to expect from the classes and the teachers at the university. The people at Alabama made me feel welcomed and showed a genuine interest in helping. I also made friends with several interesting people. In short, I am glad that I had the opportunity to attend the Capstone Business Academy!
Douglas Watson
Class of 2006
The Capstone Business Academy was a truly wonderful experience. It was a great way to explore the beautiful campus, meet the awesome staff, delve into the different fields of business available as majors, and mingle with the corporate world in Atlanta. It was a really great adventure, and there was always something going on. It was absolutely fantastic to visit such amazing companies, as Coca-Cola, UPS, Kimberly-Clark, and the Atlanta Falcons, and to see the spectacular laser light show at Stone Mountain. It was a truly wonderful way to spend part of my summer and was a great learning experience that gave me the opportunity to meet very bright and like-minded students.
Peter Wesh, Oak Ridge, Tennessee
The Capstone Business Academy has definitely influenced my decision on business. It's helped me decide which areas of business are best for me. The classes were interactive and informative. The Academy had great instructors, great dorm rooms, plenty of food, theme nights, and the student recreation center. I met all kinds of people! It was a great experience, and I would recommend it to anyone interested in business.
Erin McGill, Germantown, Tennessee
The Capstone Business Academy is incredible! The dorm experience at a college itself is worth it, with a diverse and fun group of students; if you're looking for a fun summer experience, this is the place to be. However, the Academy is much more than that: UA really caters to our tastes and works hard to keep us engrossed in the program. The lineup of businesses that gave us VIP treatment was top-notch. Learning about businesses from a wide range of businessmen and businesswomen, from an entrepreneur of a helmet company to the CFO of Coca-Cola, was really an experience not to be forgotten.
Justin Lee, Tuscaloosa, Alabama
The Capstone Business Academy is an awesome, unforgettable experience. There are so many benefits to participating. In only ten days, I met many successful entrepreneurs and businessmen from all over the southeast - from the owner of a chain of restaurants to an FBI agent. If you are even thinking about pursuing a career in business, the Academy will help you make a decision. It was an unforgettable time and I can't wait to go to school there next year!
RJ Harden, Foley, Alabama
FANTASTIC! That is my assessment of the Academy experience. From the time I arrived until the last minute before I departed, I was treated like a V.I.P. There was never a dull moment. The speakers were very informative about the courses of study available and interacted with the participants. When we weren't at a workshop, we were going to a movie or the mall or experiencing campus life. In Atlanta we visited several Fortune 500 companies for a behind-the-scenes look at how businesses are really run; my favorite was watching how news was gathered and presented at CNN. The other participants were from all across the country with very interesting backgrounds. To be selected to attend the academy was an honor for me, not only because I yell for the Crimson Tide, but also because only 50 students are selected nationwide each year. Of all the honor programs I have participated in this summer, Capstone Business Academy was easily the best.
Adam Morrow, Muscle Shoals, Alabama
I knew that my experience at the Capstone Business Academy would be amazing and life-changing, but it far exceeded my expectations. Meeting all of the department heads for the School of Business and getting in-depth lectures on all of the various majors of the school, like finance, marketing, management, ethics, accounting and economics, really confirmed that I made the right decision for the university to apply to and the major to pursue. During our site visits to the prestigious Fortune 500 corporations in Birmingham and Atlanta, I was able to see so many people applying their education in productive business career fields. This experience made me glad about my decision to attend the Academy where I met so many other great students with interests similar to mine.
Stedman Flowers, Madison, Alabama
Attending the Capstone Business Academy this summer was one of the best things that I have done to prepare for my future. I went in the first day having no idea what specific field of business that I wanted to major in, and left knowing exactly what was right for me. The seminars from the faculty and guest speakers were fun and enjoyable, but also supplied me with great information for college and beyond. I met others who had an interest in business and in The University of Alabama... what better combination could there be? The Capstone Business Academy is a great way to learn about business, network, and meet a lot of cool people. Anyone who is considering business as a major would benefit heavily from this program.
Austin Priddy, Birmingham, Alabama
The Academy was one of the greatest experiences of my high school life. I was leery about looking at larger colleges, but not after the Academy.The people at Alabama were great and really made me feel welcome. The staff were patient and tried to help us find our niche in business. The people are what make the Academy great though. By the time you leave, you feel like you have known the other kids your whole life. Besides the people, the best part was by far the trip to Atlanta. Getting to meet some of the top dogs of Coke, Kimberly Clark, UPS, and touring CNN were unforgettable experiences! I would recommend Capstone to anyone and everyone!
Brad Lee, Wilsonville, Alabama
I participated in several academic and resumé based programs this summer, but the Capstone Business Academy was my absolute favorite. I met so many fun and intelligent people who shared many of my interests. During the academy I learned about the different majors within business and the practical applications of each major. The seminars were fun and interesting, not to mention taught by the University's most renowned faculty. My favorite part of the Academy was the trip to Atlanta. We had the opportunity to see business in action by touring four major companies. But, the Academy was by no means "all work and no play". We took trips to the bowling alley, movie theater, malls, and many other interesting places. My advice to all applicants would be this: bring some clothes that are too big for you, because you will gain ten pounds from all of the snacks and meals provided. Except for the weight I gained,Capstone Business Academy is one of the best experiences I have ever had.
Ashley Allman, Muscle Shoals, Alabama
Class of 2005
The Academy was one of the best experiences of my life because I got to meet a whole group of kids who all had similar interests to me as well as learn about all the different majors in the field of business. There was never a boring moment because the classes that we went to were interesting and interactive, and when we weren't in classes we did a bunch of cool things like went to a laser show, visited the mall in Atlanta, went to the UA gym, and had theme nights at the dorms. The thing that made it a really unique program is that we got to visit real businesses and see them in action. We were able to see what business classes will be like and what working in a business will be like. It not only helped me learn about business, it gave me a taste of what college will be like.
Samantha Farrington, Harvest, Alabama
This program was definitely a worthwhile and meaningful event in my summer. I learned about business principles, but more importantly I learned about myself and others. I met so many new people, several of whom I still talk with regularly. During the program, you'll attend classes and pretty much just make friends and hang out with them for 10 days. I am from Texas, so the program was an especially interesting and diverse experience for me. I would strongly urge anyone considering the program to apply. It was such an educational and fun experience for me that I will never forget.
Benjamin Huck, Fort Worth, Texas