Explore every episode of the podcast PrepWell Podcast with Phil Black
| Title | Pub. Date | Duration | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ep. 262 | Have You Ever Heard Of A “Reading Team”? | 02 mars 2025 | 00:14:37 | |
In this episode, I focus on the importance of reading and how we can help our children become lifelong readers. Enter: Reading Teams. Have you ever heard of competitive, school-sponsored Reading Teams? Follow us:
PrepWell Academy's Founder, Phil Black, has spent a lifetime cracking the code on the world's most competitive programs: Yale University, Harvard Business School, Navy SEALs, Goldman Sachs, Entrepreneurship, Shark Tank (2X), etc. Inside PrepWell Academy, Black teaches students everything they need to know about the college admissions process in a series of expertly-timed, 3-5-minute, weekly training videos starting in 9th grade and continuing through 12th grade [Note: this program can only be joined in 9th or 10th grade. My specialties include military service academies, ROTC scholarships, Ivy League, and student-athletes. | |||
| Ep. 261 | Should You Go All-in On Sports? | 23 févr. 2025 | 00:19:35 | |
One of the most challenging decisions for high school student-athletes (and their parents) is whether or not rely on sports as the primary lever to get into a desirable college. In this episode, we dig into three different types of athletes, and how they should consider their options:
If you and your child are trying to decide how much energy to put into sports, please tune in to this week’s episode. Follow us:
PrepWell Academy's Founder, Phil Black, has spent a lifetime cracking the code on the world's most competitive programs: Yale University, Harvard Business School, Navy SEALs, Goldman Sachs, Entrepreneurship, Shark Tank (2X), etc. Inside PrepWell Academy, Black teaches students everything they need to know about the college admissions process in a series of expertly-timed, 3-5-minute, weekly training videos starting in 9th grade and continuing through 12th grade [Note: this program can only be joined in 9th or 10th grade]. My specialties include military service academies, ROTC scholarships, Ivy League, and student-athletes. | |||
| Ep. 260 | Who Should Be In The Meeting(s)? | 16 févr. 2025 | 00:17:56 | |
In this episode, I address a common question from parents interested in setting up a college admissions consulting call. The question is: "Who should be in the meeting(s)?"
I walk through a few different scenarios and provide guidance on when a meeting would be most helpful, who should attend and why, and what are some creative ways around the conventional wisdom. If you plan to schedule a consulting call for your son or daughter, with me or some other college admissions counselor, I recommend you give this episode a listen. Follow us:
PrepWell Academy's Founder, Phil Black, has spent a lifetime cracking the code on the world's most competitive programs: Yale University, Harvard Business School, Navy SEALs, Goldman Sachs, Entrepreneurship, Shark Tank (2X), etc. Inside PrepWell Academy, Black teaches students everything they need to know about the college admissions process in a series of expertly-timed, 3-5-minute, weekly training videos starting in 9th grade and continuing through 12th grade [Note: this program can only be joined in 9th or 10th grade]. My specialties include military service academies, ROTC scholarships, Ivy League, and student-athletes. | |||
| Ep. 259 | The Most Clever College Essay Question I Have Ever Seen | 07 févr. 2025 | 00:12:00 | |
In this episode, I reveal the most clever college admissions essay prompt I have ever seen. It's a question that attempts to stop students from writing a terrible essay before they have a chance to do so. You may remember a similar premise in the 2002 Tom Cruise movie "Minority Report", where a pre-cog would have a vision of a future crime, triggering the dispatch of a special unit police officer to intervene before it happens. This is exactly what this question does. It forces students to scrap the generic essay that they were about to write, and replace it with something better. Please listen to this episode to see how they pull off this feat. Follow us:
PrepWell Academy's Founder, Phil Black, has spent a lifetime cracking the code on the world's most competitive programs: Yale University, Harvard Business School, Navy SEALs, Goldman Sachs, Entrepreneurship, Shark Tank (2X), etc. Inside PrepWell Academy, Black teaches students everything they need to know about the college admissions process in a series of expertly-timed, 3-5-minute, weekly training videos starting in 9th grade and continuing through 12th grade [Note: this program can only be joined in 9th or 10th grade]. My specialties include military service academies, ROTC scholarships, Ivy League, and student-athletes. | |||
| Episode 258 | How to Reach Escape Velocity | 01 févr. 2025 | 00:11:36 | |
As parents and educators, one of our primary goals is to help our children (or students) reach “escape velocity”. Escape velocity is the point at which your child has accumulated enough smarts, tools, relationships, wherewithal, and experience, to forge their own way in the world. In this episode, I review the best way to put your child on that path. Follow us:
PrepWell Academy's Founder, Phil Black, has spent a lifetime cracking the code on the world's most competitive programs: Yale University, Harvard Business School, Navy SEALs, Goldman Sachs, Entrepreneurship, Shark Tank (2X), etc. Inside PrepWell Academy, Black teaches students everything they need to know about the college admissions process in a series of expertly-timed, 3-5-minute, weekly training videos starting in 9th grade and continuing through 12th grade [Note: this program can only be joined in 9th or 10th grade]. My specialties include military service academies, ROTC scholarships, Ivy League, and student-athletes. | |||
| Ep. 257 | Which Personal Trait Trumps Them All? | 26 janv. 2025 | 00:09:36 | |
In this episode, I discuss the personal trait that makes "college choice" nearly irrelevant. With few exceptions, if you possess this particular trait, obsessing over whether you get into College A versus College B may be a big waste of time. This superpower is free, accessible 24/7/365, and cannot be taken away from you. Tap in... Follow us:
PrepWell Academy's Founder, Phil Black, has spent a lifetime cracking the code on the world's most competitive programs: Yale University, Harvard Business School, Navy SEALs, Goldman Sachs, Entrepreneurship, Shark Tank (2X), etc. Inside PrepWell Academy, Black teaches students everything they need to know about the college admissions process in a series of expertly-timed, 3-5-minute, weekly training videos starting in 9th grade and continuing through 12th grade [Note: this program can only be joined in 9th or 10th grade]. My specialties include military service academies, ROTC scholarships, Ivy League, and student-athletes. | |||
| Ep. 256 | Which Standardized Tests Matter These Days? | 19 janv. 2025 | 00:15:32 | |
In this episode, I discuss the latest and greatest developments when it comes to standardized tests:
If you haven't been paying close attention to all of the twists and turns, you may not be up-to-speed on what matters these days. Listen to this episode to find out. Follow us:
PrepWell Academy's Founder, Phil Black, has spent a lifetime cracking the code on the world's most competitive programs: Yale University, Harvard Business School, Navy SEALs, Goldman Sachs, Entrepreneurship, Shark Tank (2X), etc. Inside PrepWell Academy, Black teaches students everything they need to know about the college admissions process in a series of expertly-timed, 3-5-minute, weekly training videos starting in 9th grade and continuing through 12th grade [Note: this program can only be joined in 9th or 10th grade]. My specialties include military service academies, ROTC scholarships, Ivy League, and student-athletes. | |||
| Ep. 255 | What If I’m Not Interested In Anything | 12 janv. 2025 | 00:14:20 | |
In this episode, I address a common issue among teenagers (that sometimes grows into a concern if it's not addressed in a timely fashion). That is, students who claim that they have no idea what they are interested in, no clue what they want to major in, or what field of work they might enjoy. They are lost. I walk through how I talk to teenagers about this issue, why it exists, and how to help them find a path forward. If you have a child in middle school or high school who has not yet found a passion, focus, or inspiration, give this episode a listen. Follow us:
PrepWell Academy's Founder, Phil Black, has spent a lifetime cracking the code on the world's most competitive programs: Yale University, Harvard Business School, Navy SEALs, Goldman Sachs, Entrepreneurship, Shark Tank (2X), etc. Inside PrepWell Academy, Black teaches students everything they need to know about the college admissions process in a series of expertly-timed, 3-5-minute, weekly training videos starting in 9th grade and continuing through 12th grade [Note: this program can only be joined in 9th or 10th grade]. My specialties include military service academies, ROTC scholarships, Ivy League, and student-athletes. | |||
| Ep. 254 | 2024 Year-In-Review | 05 janv. 2025 | 00:23:25 | |
In this episode, I highlight some of the craziest storylines of 2024 and how they affected college admissions. I break the chaos into three buckets:
If you are trying to figure out where the unprecedented changes in our society, culture, and political landscape intersected with college admissions, give this episode a listen. Follow us:
PrepWell Academy's Founder, Phil Black, has spent a lifetime cracking the code on the world's most competitive programs: Yale University, Harvard Business School, Navy SEALs, Goldman Sachs, Entrepreneurship, Shark Tank (2X), etc. Inside PrepWell Academy, Black teaches students everything they need to know about the college admissions process in a series of expertly-timed, 3-5-minute, weekly training videos starting in 9th grade and continuing through 12th grade [Note: this program can only be joined in 9th or 10th grade]. My specialties include military service academies, ROTC scholarships, Ivy League, and student-athletes. | |||
| Ep. 253 | Top 10 Reasons Your Child Probably Got Rejected From College X | 22 déc. 2024 | 00:21:39 | |
In this episode, I review the Top 10 reasons why your child probably didn't get into their early action or early decision school - especially if it was highly-selective. If you have a child who was rejected from their dream school, this might give you some clues as to why it happened. If you have younger children (8th - 11th grade), this will provide an early-warning system as to what lies ahead. Some of the Top 10 reasons include:
Use this episode as a cautionary tale as well as a lesson for how to respond to different outcomes. Follow us:
PrepWell Academy's Founder, Phil Black, has spent a lifetime cracking the code on the world's most competitive programs: Yale University, Harvard Business School, Navy SEALs, Goldman Sachs, Entrepreneurship, Shark Tank (2X), etc. Inside PrepWell Academy, Black teaches students everything they need to know about the college admissions process in a series of expertly-timed, 3-5-minute, weekly training videos starting in 9th grade and continuing through 12th grade [Note: this program can only be joined in 9th or 10th grade]. My specialties include military service academies, ROTC scholarships, Ivy League, and student-athletes. | |||
| Ep. 252 | Should My Child Attend This Summer Leadership Conference? | 15 déc. 2024 | 00:13:23 | |
In this episode, I address the following common question: Dear Phil, My son/daughter was invited to a National Student Leadership Conference this summer. The session he/she wants to attend is being held on [enter name of prestigious sounding college's] campus. It looks really cool. Do you think it would be worth it for him/her to go, and how much do you think it will help him/her in the college admissions process? If your child has received something similar, give this episode a listen. Follow us:
PrepWell Academy's Founder, Phil Black, has spent a lifetime cracking the code on the world's most competitive programs: Yale University, Harvard Business School, Navy SEALs, Goldman Sachs, Entrepreneurship, Shark Tank (2X), etc. Inside PrepWell Academy, Black teaches students everything they need to know about the college admissions process in a series of expertly-timed, 3-5-minute, weekly training videos starting in 9th grade and continuing through 12th grade [Note: this program can only be joined in 9th or 10th grade]. My specialties include military service academies, ROTC scholarships, Ivy League, and student-athletes. | |||
| Ep. 251 | Why "Normal" May Trump "Super-selective" When It Comes To Colleges | 08 déc. 2024 | 00:15:05 | |
In this episode, I make the case that prestige, ranking, and name recognition may not be the best predictors of a successful college experience. Follow us:
PrepWell Academy's Founder, Phil Black, has spent a lifetime cracking the code on the world's most competitive programs: Yale University, Harvard Business School, Navy SEALs, Goldman Sachs, Entrepreneurship, Shark Tank (2X), etc. Inside PrepWell Academy, Black teaches students everything they need to know about the college admissions process in a series of expertly-timed, 3-5-minute, weekly training videos starting in 9th grade and continuing through 12th grade [Note: this program can only be joined in 9th or 10th grade]. My specialties include military service academies, ROTC scholarships, Ivy League, and student-athletes. | |||
| Ep. 250 | Why I Love Teaching My 15-yr-old How To Drive | 24 nov. 2024 | 00:10:09 | |
If you had/have/will soon have a teenager who needs to learn how to drive, this episode should resonate with you. In this episode, I explain why I love teaching my teenage son how to drive:
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PrepWell Academy's Founder, Phil Black, has spent a lifetime cracking the code on the world's most competitive programs: Yale University, Harvard Business School, Navy SEALs, Goldman Sachs, Entrepreneurship, Shark Tank (2X), etc. Inside PrepWell Academy, Black teaches students everything they need to know about the college admissions process in a series of expertly-timed, 3-5-minute, weekly training videos starting in 9th grade and continuing through 12th grade [Note: this program can only be joined in 9th or 10th grade]. My specialties include military service academies, ROTC scholarships, Ivy League, and student-athletes. | |||
| Ep. 249 | How Can Your Child Take Advantage of AI? | 17 nov. 2024 | 00:11:43 | |
In this episode, I discuss how AI might impact our children and their future.
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PrepWell Academy's Founder, Phil Black, has spent a lifetime cracking the code on the world's most competitive programs: Yale University, Harvard Business School, Navy SEALs, Goldman Sachs, Entrepreneurship, Shark Tank (2X), etc. Inside PrepWell Academy, Black teaches students everything they need to know about the college admissions process in a series of expertly-timed, 3-5-minute, weekly training videos starting in 9th grade and continuing through 12th grade [Note: this program can only be joined in 9th or 10th grade]. My specialties include military service academies, ROTC scholarships, Ivy League, and student-athletes. | |||
| Ep. 248 | Using The Chaos To Your Advantage | 10 nov. 2024 | 00:12:26 | |
In this episode, I argue that the craziness of the college admissions process (and college experience itself), has given us permission to question our assumptions, consider alternative options, and make better decisions. Learn about the red flags, why they have emerged, and how to use them to our advantage. Follow us:
PrepWell Academy's Founder, Phil Black, has spent a lifetime cracking the code on the world's most competitive programs: Yale University, Harvard Business School, Navy SEALs, Goldman Sachs, Entrepreneurship, Shark Tank (2X), etc. Inside PrepWell Academy, Black teaches students everything they need to know about the college admissions process in a series of expertly-timed, 3-5-minute, weekly training videos starting in 9th grade and continuing through 12th grade [Note: this program can only be joined in 9th or 10th grade]. My specialties include military service academies, ROTC scholarships, Ivy League, and student-athletes. | |||
| Ep. 247 | Begin with the end in mind | 03 nov. 2024 | 00:15:46 | |
In this episode, I flip the script on how most students (and parents) should begin their college search. Typical sequence:
Recommended sequence:
By putting these steps in the correct order, you will save yourself time, money, headaches, and (potentially) years of your life. Follow us:
PrepWell Academy's Founder, Phil Black, has spent a lifetime cracking the code on the world's most competitive programs: Yale University, Harvard Business School, Navy SEALs, Goldman Sachs, Entrepreneurship, Shark Tank (2X), etc. Inside PrepWell Academy, Black teaches students everything they need to know about the college admissions process in a series of expertly-timed, 3-5-minute, weekly training videos starting in 9th grade and continuing through 12th grade [Note: this program can only be joined in 9th or 10th grade]. My specialties include military service academies, ROTC scholarships, Ivy League, and student-athletes. | |||
| Ep. 246 | ChatGPT/Chegg Take Over College Campuses | 27 oct. 2024 | 00:13:55 | |
In this episode, I share what I discovered about academic life on college campuses during my visit with a few college students. Need to write a paper: ChatGPT Need to solve a Physics problem: Chegg These students revealed that many college students haven't written an original paper or solved a math problem on their own in years. Why should they when they have tools that will do such things easier, quicker, and better? Brace yourself before hearing what students paying $90K/year for college are doing to get by academically. Follow us:
PrepWell Academy's Founder, Phil Black, has spent a lifetime cracking the code on the world's most competitive programs: Yale University, Harvard Business School, Navy SEALs, Goldman Sachs, Entrepreneurship, Shark Tank (2X), etc. Inside PrepWell Academy, Black teaches students everything they need to know about the college admissions process in a series of expertly-timed, 3-5-minute, weekly training videos starting in 9th grade and continuing through 12th grade [Note: this program can only be joined in 9th or 10th grade]. My specialties include military service academies, ROTC scholarships, Ivy League, and student-athletes. | |||
| Ep. 184 Revisited | Too Much Attention vs Too Little Attention | 20 oct. 2024 | 00:26:33 | |
In this episode, I go through a bunch of issues that parents, students, and families are getting wrong (IMO). They are paying too much attention to issue X, and not enough attention to issue Y. Please make sure you are on the right side of the game here:
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PrepWell Academy's Founder, Phil Black, has spent a lifetime cracking the code on the world's most competitive programs: Yale University, Harvard Business School, Navy SEALs, Goldman Sachs, Entrepreneurship, Shark Tank (2X), etc. Inside PrepWell Academy, Black teaches students everything they need to know about the college admissions process in a series of expertly-timed, 3-5-minute, weekly training videos starting in 9th grade and continuing through 12th grade [Note: this program can only be joined in 9th or 10th grade]. My specialties include military service academies, ROTC scholarships, Ivy League, and student-athletes. | |||
| Ep. 245 | 11 Alternatives to Paying $100K/yr for College | 13 oct. 2024 | 00:22:14 | |
In this week's podcast, I review the 3 categories of colleges, how much they cost, and 11 alternatives if you are looking for something different, better, or more affordable. Category 1: private, liberal arts colleges (Wesleyan) $100K/yr Category 2: out-of-state, public colleges (UVA) $80K/yr Category 3: in-state, public colleges (Penn State) $50K/yr If these options don't look feasible, or worth it, learn about 11 alternatives that might work better for your child and family. Follow us:
PrepWell Academy's Founder, Phil Black, has spent a lifetime cracking the code on the world's most competitive programs: Yale University, Harvard Business School, Navy SEALs, Goldman Sachs, Entrepreneurship, Shark Tank (2X), etc. Inside PrepWell Academy, Black teaches students everything they need to know about the college admissions process in a series of expertly-timed, 3-5-minute, weekly training videos starting in 9th grade and continuing through 12th grade [Note: this program can only be joined in 9th or 10th grade]. My specialties include military service academies, ROTC scholarships, Ivy League, and student-athletes. | |||
| Ep. 244 | 7 Hottest Trends in College Admissions | 06 oct. 2024 | 00:13:51 | |
In this week's podcast, I cover the 7 hottest trends in college admissions:
Listen to this week's episode to make sure you are up-to-speed on what's trending. Follow us:
PrepWell Academy's Founder, Phil Black, has spent a lifetime cracking the code on the world's most competitive programs: Yale University, Harvard Business School, Navy SEALs, Goldman Sachs, Entrepreneurship, Shark Tank (2X), etc. Inside PrepWell Academy, Black teaches students everything they need to know about the college admissions process in a series of expertly-timed, 3-5-minute, weekly training videos starting in 9th grade and continuing through 12th grade [Note: this program can only be joined in 9th or 10th grade]. My specialties include military service academies, ROTC scholarships, Ivy League, and student-athletes. | |||
| Ep. 243 | Building Study Habits: Note-taking | 28 sept. 2024 | 00:08:54 | |
In this week's podcast, I discuss one of the most important study habits that your child can acquire during high school:
If you're child wants to avoid doing homework until 11pm, midnight, and beyond -- they must learn to take quality notes during class. This episode makes a strong case for why this is important and how to get started.
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PrepWell Academy's Founder, Phil Black, has spent a lifetime cracking the code on the world's most competitive programs: Yale University, Harvard Business School, Navy SEALs, Goldman Sachs, Entrepreneurship, Shark Tank (2X), etc. Inside PrepWell Academy, Black teaches students everything they need to know about the college admissions process in a series of expertly-timed, 3-5-minute, weekly training videos starting in 9th grade and continuing through 12th grade [Note: this program can only be joined in 9th or 10th grade]. My specialties include military service academies, ROTC scholarships, Ivy League, and student-athletes. | |||
| Ep. 242 | How To Deal With An Injury | 23 sept. 2024 | 00:13:51 | |
In this week's podcast, I discuss the two ways that teenage athletes deal with injuries.
If your child is an athlete, especially an athlete hoping to use sports to get into college, please listen to this episode. An injury at the wrong time and place can end a high-schooler's athletic (and potential college) career if they adopt the wrong mindset. | |||
| Ep. 206 Revisited | Why Teenagers Should Not Drink Alcohol | 15 sept. 2024 | 00:44:04 | |
Show Notes: In today's episode, I address the issue of underage drinking. I've been reluctant to speak on this topic publicly because of my controversial stance. However, after my son's friend almost died in a DUI incident over the Thanksgiving holiday, I decided it was time to let my perspective be heard. Unlike some other episodes, this might be a good one to listen to with your teenager. It's a bit longer than usual, but the subject required more time to cover. Follow us:
PrepWell Academy's Founder, Phil Black, has spent a lifetime cracking the code on the world's most competitive programs: Yale University, Harvard Business School, Navy SEALs, Goldman Sachs, Entrepreneurship, Shark Tank (2X), etc. Inside PrepWell Academy, Black teaches students everything they need to know about the college admissions process in a series of expertly-timed, 3-5-minute, weekly training videos starting in 9th grade and continuing through 12th grade [Note: this program can only be joined in 9th or 10th grade]. My specialties include military service academies, ROTC scholarships, Ivy League, and student-athletes. | |||
| Ep. 241 | Are You Considering "Political Fit" When Selecting Colleges? | 08 sept. 2024 | 00:12:04 | |
In this week's podcast, I urge parents to consider political fit when it comes to the colleges on your child's target list. In particular, I discuss disturbing revelations about the safety of Jewish students on many well-known college campuses across the country. If your child is Jewish, or if you have friends with Jewish students in the college admissions pipeline - please listen. If you are not Jewish, but care about the political culture that your child will be exposed to in their most formative years - please listen. Follow us:
PrepWell Academy's Founder, Phil Black, has spent a lifetime cracking the code on the world's most competitive programs: Yale University, Harvard Business School, Navy SEALs, Goldman Sachs, Entrepreneurship, Shark Tank (2X), etc. Inside PrepWell Academy, Black teaches students everything they need to know about the college admissions process in a series of expertly-timed, 3-5-minute, weekly training videos starting in 9th grade and continuing through 12th grade [Note: this program can only be joined in 9th or 10th grade]. My specialties include military service academies, ROTC scholarships, Ivy League, and student-athletes. | |||
| Ep. 240 | Why Ivies Might Be The Wrong "Fit" | 01 sept. 2024 | 00:14:31 | |
In this week's podcast, I question whether or not every student (and parent) should obsess about the Ivy League. A lot has changed over the last few years, and the juice may not be worth the squeeze. Learn what has changed and why it might behoove your child to keep Ivy League schools off their target list of schools.
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PrepWell Academy's Founder, Phil Black, has spent a lifetime cracking the code on the world's most competitive programs: Yale University, Harvard Business School, Navy SEALs, Goldman Sachs, Entrepreneurship, Shark Tank (2X), etc. Inside PrepWell Academy, Black teaches students everything they need to know about the college admissions process in a series of expertly-timed, 3-5-minute, weekly training videos starting in 9th grade and continuing through 12th grade [Note: this program can only be joined in 9th or 10th grade]. My specialties include military service academies, ROTC scholarships, Ivy League, and student-athletes. | |||
| Ep. 239 | College Admissions: Then and Now | 25 août 2024 | 00:15:27 | |
In this week's podcast, I compare the college admissions process today versus 20 years ago. A lot has changed. If your child is not embracing the new paradigm, it will be a rocky road. Learn what has changed and what the most successful students are doing to meet the moment. Follow us:
PrepWell Academy's Founder, Phil Black, has spent a lifetime cracking the code on the world's most competitive programs: Yale University, Harvard Business School, Navy SEALs, Goldman Sachs, Entrepreneurship, Shark Tank (2X), etc. Inside PrepWell Academy, Black teaches students everything they need to know about the college admissions process in a series of expertly-timed, 3-5-minute, weekly training videos starting in 9th grade and continuing through 12th grade [Note: this program can only be joined in 9th or 10th grade]. My specialties include military service academies, ROTC scholarships, Ivy League, and student-athletes. | |||
| Ep. 238 | How To Build a Signature Extracurricular Activity | 18 août 2024 | 00:15:05 | |
In this week's podcast, I share a story about one of my most diligent and accomplished PrepWellers (let's call her "Jayda"). Jayda took what she learned from her PrepWell videos (and several Zoom calls) to create what I call a "signature extracurricular activity" or SECA. A SECA is something that pulls together a variety of different elements of a student's story into one impressive, all-encompassing -- accomplishment, event, or some other capstone-like activity. This did not happen overnight. It took two years of following the PrepWell principles, taking a leap of faith, and hard work. Listen to this episode to discover what Jayda did and why your son or daughter might want to follow her lead.
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PrepWell Academy's Founder, Phil Black, has spent a lifetime cracking the code on the world's most competitive programs: Yale University, Harvard Business School, Navy SEALs, Goldman Sachs, Entrepreneurship, Shark Tank (2X), etc. Inside PrepWell Academy, Black teaches students everything they need to know about the college admissions process in a series of expertly-timed, 3-5-minute, weekly training videos starting in 9th grade and continuing through 12th grade [Note: this program can only be joined in 9th or 10th grade]. My specialties include military service academies, ROTC scholarships, Ivy League, and student-athletes. | |||
| Ep. 237 | My Daughter Will Get Into The Ivies, Right? | 11 août 2024 | 00:23:14 | |
In this week's podcast, I try to answer one of the most common questions I hear from parents - especially about their first-born, highly-competitive, multi-talented daughters: "She'll get into the Ivies, right?" Does your daughter check any (or all) of these boxes:
If so, listen to this episode to see where this type of student stacks up in the quest to get into the Ivies. Follow us:
PrepWell Academy's Founder, Phil Black, has spent a lifetime cracking the code on the world's most competitive programs: Yale University, Harvard Business School, Navy SEALs, Goldman Sachs, Entrepreneurship, Shark Tank (2X), etc. Inside PrepWell Academy, Black teaches students everything they need to know about the college admissions process in a series of expertly-timed, 3-5-minute, weekly training videos starting in 9th grade and continuing through 12th grade [Note: this program can only be joined in 9th or 10th grade]. My specialties include military service academies, ROTC scholarships, Ivy League, and student-athletes. | |||
| Ep. 236 | The Death of Reading | 03 août 2024 | 00:17:56 | |
In this week's podcast, I urge parents to do whatever they can to help their children become avid readers. In my opinion, a student's academic upside (e.g. GPA, SAT, AP, college acceptances) is highly correlated to their relationship with reading. This relationship comes in three stages: Stage 1: avid reader Stage 2: non-reader Stage 3: anti-reader My four sons have fallen into all three categories. Learn the strategies and tactics I've used to try to keep my sons out of Stage 2 and 3. Some successful, most unsuccessful. Don't procrastinate in listening to this episode. For many of us, the window of opportunity to influence this relationship is closing quickly. Follow us:
PrepWell Academy's Founder, Phil Black, has spent a lifetime cracking the code on the world's most competitive programs: Yale University, Harvard Business School, Navy SEALs, Goldman Sachs, Entrepreneurship, Shark Tank (2X), etc. Inside PrepWell Academy, Black teaches students everything they need to know about the college admissions process in a series of expertly-timed, 3-5-minute, weekly training videos starting in 9th grade and continuing through 12th grade [Note: this program can only be joined in 9th or 10th grade]. My specialties include military service academies, ROTC scholarships, Ivy League, and student-athletes. | |||
| Ep. 235 | The New Digital ACT | 28 juil. 2024 | 00:17:10 | |
In this episode I'll go over the new digital ACT. Follow us:
PrepWell Academy's Founder, Phil Black, has spent a lifetime cracking the code on the world's most competitive programs: Yale University, Harvard Business School, Navy SEALs, Goldman Sachs, Entrepreneurship, Shark Tank (2X), etc. Inside PrepWell Academy, Black teaches students everything they need to know about the college admissions process in a series of expertly-timed, 3-5-minute, weekly training videos starting in 9th grade and continuing through 12th grade [Note: this program can only be joined in 9th or 10th grade]. My specialties include military service academies, ROTC scholarships, Ivy League, and student-athletes. | |||
| Ep. 234 | Which Is Better, Public Or Private School? | 21 juil. 2024 | 00:19:46 | |
In this week's podcast, I review the pros and cons of a question I am asked on a weekly basis. Which is better, public or private school? Even if you are not actively considering these two options, this podcast will highlight the good and the bad inherent in each scenario. | |||
| Ep. 233 | Is ROTC Safe For My Son? | 14 juil. 2024 | 00:10:26 | |
In this week's podcast, I answer a parent's question that often comes up when discussing ROTC programs and service academies. "Is ROTC safe for my child?" Find out the answer to this question and other interesting factoids about ROTC programs (e.g. which programs pay 100% tuition for all 4 years, etc.).
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PrepWell Academy's Founder, Phil Black, has spent a lifetime cracking the code on the world's most competitive programs: Yale University, Harvard Business School, Navy SEALs, Goldman Sachs, Entrepreneurship, Shark Tank (2X), etc. Inside PrepWell Academy, Black teaches students everything they need to know about the college admissions process in a series of expertly-timed, 3-5-minute, weekly training videos starting in 9th grade and continuing through 12th grade [Note: this program can only be joined in 9th or 10th grade]. My specialties include military service academies, ROTC scholarships, Ivy League, and student-athletes. | |||
| Ep. 232 | Rapid-fire FAQs | 07 juil. 2024 | 00:18:10 | |
In this week's podcast, I rip through 14 recent FAQs that have surfaced over the last two weeks:
I cover a lot of ground in this rapid-fire FAQ session.
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PrepWell Academy's Founder, Phil Black, has spent a lifetime cracking the code on the world's most competitive programs: Yale University, Harvard Business School, Navy SEALs, Goldman Sachs, Entrepreneurship, Shark Tank (2X), etc. Inside PrepWell Academy, Black teaches students everything they need to know about the college admissions process in a series of expertly-timed, 3-5-minute, weekly training videos starting in 9th grade and continuing through 12th grade [Note: this program can only be joined in 9th or 10th grade]. My specialties include military service academies, ROTC scholarships, Ivy League, and student-athletes. | |||
| Ep. 231 | Irreconcilable Differences | 30 juin 2024 | 00:14:10 | |
In this week's podcast, I wonder how students (and families) go about reconciling the two most common pieces of financial advice out there today:
If you are racking up tens of thousands of dollars in student loan debt, how can you (at the same time) possibly invest money in your 20s and 30s? There is one solution. I call it the 9th wonder of the world.
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PrepWell Academy's Founder, Phil Black, has spent a lifetime cracking the code on the world's most competitive programs: Yale University, Harvard Business School, Navy SEALs, Goldman Sachs, Entrepreneurship, Shark Tank (2X), etc. Inside PrepWell Academy, Black teaches students everything they need to know about the college admissions process in a series of expertly-timed, 3-5-minute, weekly training videos starting in 9th grade and continuing through 12th grade [Note: this program can only be joined in 9th or 10th grade]. My specialties include military service academies, ROTC scholarships, Ivy League, and student-athletes. If you want to support the show, here are three immediate steps to take. Subscribe to the podcast where ever you listen to podcasts. | |||
| Ep. 230 | Is Div I Worth The Effort (and risk)? | 23 juin 2024 | 00:29:59 | |
In this week's podcast, I go through the Top 20 "pros" and "cons" for playing Div I sports in college. Most students (and parents) can rattle off a handful of pros (e.g. full-ride scholarship, Instagram post, status, etc.), but aren't always aware of some of the cons (e.g. commitment level, injury, coaching changes, etc.) If your child aspires to play Div I sports someday, I suggest giving this episode a listen.
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PrepWell Academy's Founder, Phil Black, has spent a lifetime cracking the code on the world's most competitive programs: Yale University, Harvard Business School, Navy SEALs, Goldman Sachs, Entrepreneurship, Shark Tank (2X), etc. Inside PrepWell Academy, Black teaches students everything they need to know about the college admissions process in a series of expertly-timed, 3-5-minute, weekly training videos starting in 9th grade and continuing through 12th grade [Note: this program can only be joined in 9th or 10th grade]. My specialties include military service academies, ROTC scholarships, Ivy League, and student-athletes. | |||
| Ep. 229 | The Transfer Portal | 16 juin 2024 | 00:16:42 | |
In this week's podcast, I discuss the college transfer portal. In particular, how the transfer portal is transforming college basketball. If you have a child who aspires to play basketball in college (at any level), this is a must-listen. If your child plays other sports, it may not be quite as relevant, but it will raise your awareness as to what's happening out there.
Listen to this episode if you want to stay apprised of what's happening in college sports.
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PrepWell Academy's Founder, Phil Black, has spent a lifetime cracking the code on the world's most competitive programs: Yale University, Harvard Business School, Navy SEALs, Goldman Sachs, Entrepreneurship, Shark Tank (2X), etc. Inside PrepWell Academy, Black teaches students everything they need to know about the college admissions process in a series of expertly-timed, 3-5-minute, weekly training videos starting in 9th grade and continuing through 12th grade [Note: this program can only be joined in 9th or 10th grade]. My specialties include military service academies, ROTC scholarships, Ivy League, and student-athletes. | |||
| Ep. 228 | More Of This...Less Of That | 09 juin 2024 | 00:17:22 | |
In this week's podcast, I continue a game we played a few months ago called "More of this...less of that". What are the college admissions issues that should be getting more attention versus some that should be getting less?
Listen to this episode to make sure your priorities are pointing in the right direction.
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PrepWell Academy's Founder, Phil Black, has spent a lifetime cracking the code on the world's most competitive programs: Yale University, Harvard Business School, Navy SEALs, Goldman Sachs, Entrepreneurship, Shark Tank (2X), etc. Inside PrepWell Academy, Black teaches students everything they need to know about the college admissions process in a series of expertly-timed, 3-5-minute, weekly training videos starting in 9th grade and continuing through 12th grade [Note: this program can only be joined in 9th or 10th grade]. My specialties include military service academies, ROTC scholarships, Ivy League, and student-athletes. | |||
| Ep. 227 | Transition and Big Announcement | 02 juin 2024 | 00:12:51 | |
In this week's podcast, we say goodbye to the Class of 2024 and usher in the new Class of 2028. Learn what each new "year group" should focus on this summer:
Also, a big announcement about PrepWell Academy's new sister school... Follow us:
PrepWell Academy's Founder, Phil Black, has spent a lifetime cracking the code on the world's most competitive programs: Yale University, Harvard Business School, Navy SEALs, Goldman Sachs, Entrepreneurship, Shark Tank (2X), etc. Inside PrepWell Academy, Black teaches students everything they need to know about the college admissions process in a series of expertly-timed, 3-5-minute, weekly training videos starting in 9th grade and continuing through 12th grade [Note: this program can only be joined in 9th or 10th grade]. My specialties include military service academies, ROTC scholarships, Ivy League, and student-athletes. | |||
| Ep. 226 | Turning Down USC For Community College | 26 mai 2024 | 00:13:33 | |
In this week's podcast, I describe why Roman turned down his dream school (USC) for a more practical approach to college (community college to UC Irvine). If you've been wondering whether there are options beyond going to the most prestigious (and expensive) college that your child gets admitted to, listen to this episode. Follow us:
PrepWell Academy's Founder, Phil Black, has spent a lifetime cracking the code on the world's most competitive programs: Yale University, Harvard Business School, Navy SEALs, Goldman Sachs, Entrepreneurship, Shark Tank (2X), etc. Inside PrepWell Academy, Black teaches students everything they need to know about the college admissions process in a series of expertly-timed, 3-5-minute, weekly training videos starting in 9th grade and continuing through 12th grade [Note: this program can only be joined in 9th or 10th grade]. My specialties include military service academies, ROTC scholarships, Ivy League, and student-athletes. | |||
| Ep. 225 | A Silver Lining Amid The Chaos? | 19 mai 2024 | 00:16:09 | |
In this week's podcast, I argue that despite these challenges...
...we have reason to be hopeful. Find out how I get there.
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PrepWell Academy's Founder, Phil Black, has spent a lifetime cracking the code on the world's most competitive programs: Yale University, Harvard Business School, Navy SEALs, Goldman Sachs, Entrepreneurship, Shark Tank (2X), etc. Inside PrepWell Academy, Black teaches students everything they need to know about the college admissions process in a series of expertly-timed, 3-5-minute, weekly training videos starting in 9th grade and continuing through 12th grade [Note: this program can only be joined in 9th or 10th grade]. My specialties include military service academies, ROTC scholarships, Ivy League, and student-athletes. | |||
| Ep. 224 | Blank Stares | 12 mai 2024 | 00:15:53 | |
In this week's podcast, I discuss a strange phenomenon that I witnessed a few weeks ago. For context, I was asked to give a presentation on "college admissions-related" topics to a group of 30 teenage boys (ages 15-16) -- something I have done hundreds of times over the last 10 years. To kick things off, I asked a series of anodine questions that I thought would ease us into a broader conversation about college, admissions, etc. "How many of you have thought about college?" "How many of you could name 10 colleges off the top of your head?" "Has anyone thought about what they might want to study in college?" Each question elicited the same response:
Why were these questions met with such apparent indifference or apathy?
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PrepWell Academy's Founder, Phil Black, has spent a lifetime cracking the code on the world's most competitive programs: Yale University, Harvard Business School, Navy SEALs, Goldman Sachs, Entrepreneurship, Shark Tank (2X), etc. Inside PrepWell Academy, Black teaches students everything they need to know about the college admissions process in a series of expertly-timed, 3-5-minute, weekly training videos starting in 9th grade and continuing through 12th grade [Note: this program can only be joined in 9th or 10th grade]. My specialties include military service academies, ROTC scholarships, Ivy League, and student-athletes. | |||
| Ep. 223 | Sports: Double-down Or Diversify? | 05 mai 2024 | 00:17:59 | |
In this week's podcast, I discuss whether it makes sense for your child to double-down on sports, or diversify into other areas of interest. There will come a point in time when your child has to answer this fateful question: "Am I committed to becoming a recruited college athlete or not?" Listen to this week's episode to learn when this decision should be made, what happens if it's not, and what should they do if the answer is "no."
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PrepWell Academy's Founder, Phil Black, has spent a lifetime cracking the code on the world's most competitive programs: Yale University, Harvard Business School, Navy SEALs, Goldman Sachs, Entrepreneurship, Shark Tank (2X), etc. Inside PrepWell Academy, Black teaches students everything they need to know about the college admissions process in a series of expertly-timed, 3-5-minute, weekly training videos starting in 9th grade and continuing through 12th grade [Note: this program can only be joined in 9th or 10th grade]. My specialties include military service academies, ROTC scholarships, Ivy League, and student-athletes. | |||
| Ep. 222 | Summer School For Smart Students | 28 avr. 2024 | 00:13:50 | |
In this week's podcast, I make a pitch for summer school. All four of my sons took classes over the summer (for different reasons) and many motivated PrepWellers have done the same. Listen to this week's episode to learn why summer school has become a "thing". Follow us:
PrepWell Academy's Founder, Phil Black, has spent a lifetime cracking the code on the world's most competitive programs: Yale University, Harvard Business School, Navy SEALs, Goldman Sachs, Entrepreneurship, Shark Tank (2X), etc. Inside PrepWell Academy, Black teaches students everything they need to know about the college admissions process in a series of expertly-timed, 3-5-minute, weekly training videos starting in 9th grade and continuing through 12th grade [Note: this program can only be joined in 9th or 10th grade]. My specialties include military service academies, ROTC scholarships, Ivy League, and student-athletes. | |||
| Ep. 39 Revisited | How Competitive Will Your Child Be? | 21 avr. 2024 | 00:21:34 | |
Several years ago, I created a 1-page worksheet that laid out the 7 categories that determine how well a student will be prepared for the college admissions process. In this podcast, I walk through this worksheet and discuss how it reveals your child’s competitiveness. | |||
| Ep. 221 | Insights From 30 Hrs Of Consulting In 1 Week | 14 avr. 2024 | 00:15:12 | |
Last week, I emailed a link to my private calendar offering PrepWell families an opportunity to book a consulting session with me. College admissions is so off the rails that I thought it might be nice to give families a chance to ask questions. I was overwhelmed with the response. With the craziness going on with college admissions these days, who could blame them? In today's podcast, I share 3 insights that jumped out at me after 30 hours of conversations during Spring Break. Listen to what all of these sessions had in common... Follow us:
PrepWell Academy's Founder, Phil Black, has spent a lifetime cracking the code on the world's most competitive programs: Yale University, Harvard Business School, Navy SEALs, Goldman Sachs, Entrepreneurship, Shark Tank (2X), etc. Inside PrepWell Academy, Black teaches students everything they need to know about the college admissions process in a series of expertly-timed, 3-5-minute, weekly training videos starting in 9th grade and continuing through 12th grade [Note: this program can only be joined in 9th or 10th grade]. My specialties include military service academies, ROTC scholarships, Ivy League, and student-athletes. | |||
| Ep. 220 | Admissions Results, Explained | 07 avr. 2024 | 00:20:06 | |
In this week's podcast, I dive into this year's crazy admissions results. Take a look at the admit rates of a sampling of popular colleges:
What exactly is going on here? Single-digit acceptance rates as far as the eyes can see. I walk through an example of how an unhooked student has to compete against 10,000 similarly-credentialed students for just 300 spots at a popular college. Follow us:
PrepWell Academy's Founder, Phil Black, has spent a lifetime cracking the code on the world's most competitive programs: Yale University, Harvard Business School, Navy SEALs, Goldman Sachs, Entrepreneurship, Shark Tank (2X), etc. Inside PrepWell Academy, Black teaches students everything they need to know about the college admissions process in a series of expertly-timed, 3-5-minute, weekly training videos starting in 9th grade and continuing through 12th grade [Note: this program can only be joined in 9th or 10th grade]. My specialties include military service academies, ROTC scholarships, Ivy League, and student-athletes. If you want to support the show, here are three immediate steps to take. Subscribe to the podcast where ever you listen to podcasts. | |||
| Ep. 40 Revisited | How and When to Research Colleges | 30 mars 2024 | 00:16:39 | |
Researching colleges at the right time and with the appropriate intensity is an important part of the college admission process. The sooner your child (and you) begin to follow a plan - the better. Especially for students with “specialty aspirations”. In this episode, I walk you through how, when, and why you should begin your research. Here is what I discuss in this episode: Follow us: | |||
| Ep. 219 | The New Digital SAT Is Here (For Good) | 24 mars 2024 | 00:16:32 | |
In today's episode, I review the new digital SAT. Follow us:
PrepWell Academy's Founder, Phil Black, has spent a lifetime cracking the code on the world's most competitive programs: Yale University, Harvard Business School, Navy SEALs, Goldman Sachs, Entrepreneurship, Shark Tank (2X), etc. Inside PrepWell Academy, Black teaches students everything they need to know about the college admissions process in a series of expertly-timed, 3-5-minute, weekly training videos starting in 9th grade and continuing through 12th grade [Note: this program can only be joined in 9th or 10th grade]. My specialties include military service academies, ROTC scholarships, Ivy League, and student-athletes. | |||
| Ep. 218 | The Cost Of College (From $100K/yr To $0/yr) | 17 mars 2024 | 00:26:12 | |
In today's episode, I confront the cost of today's college education. In fact, I highlight 14 distinct case studies of PrepWellers whom I have worked closely with. Here's what they are paying for college every year:
Where will your child fit in this broad range of outcomes? Follow us:
PrepWell Academy's Founder, Phil Black, has spent a lifetime cracking the code on the world's most competitive programs: Yale University, Harvard Business School, Navy SEALs, Goldman Sachs, Entrepreneurship, Shark Tank (2X), etc. | |||
| Ep. 217 | Duke No Longer Grades The College Essay. When will It End? | 10 mars 2024 | 00:17:02 | |
In today's episode, I discuss Duke's recent announcement that they will no longer assign points to the college essay. They used to grade essays using a point system (1 - 5). Strong essays received high scores. Weak essays received low scores. Not anymore. Students no longer get credit for using proper punctuation, grammar, spelling, syntax, diction, etc. None of that matters anymore. What matters is the "story". Why is Duke doing this? How many other colleges will follow suit? What does this mean for your child's application?
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If you want to support the show, here are three immediate steps to take. Subscribe to the podcast where ever you listen to podcasts | |||