"CAPT told me that if I took any private classes, it would be a waste of money and wouldn't count once I went to their program"

CAPT, as well as Jet U, are terrible ways to enter the industry. People should earn their way into the profession, not buy their way.

Your best bet would be to find a local flight school that can get you through your ratings. Don't buy into the big academy hype. It's highly over rated.