PrepWell Podcast with Phil Black

In this week's podcast, I argue that despite these challenges... ...we have reason to be hopeful. Find out how I get there. Follow us: Enroll in PrepWell AcademyFollow on InstagramFollow on Facebook InstagramFacebookEnroll 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.

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: blank stares Why were these questions met with such apparent indifference or apathy? Follow us: Enroll in PrepWell AcademyFollow on InstagramFollow on Facebook InstagramFacebookEnroll 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.

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." Follow us: Enroll in PrepWell AcademyFollow on InstagramFollow on Facebook InstagramFacebookEnroll 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.

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: Enroll in PrepWell AcademyFollow on InstagramFollow on Facebook InstagramFacebookEnroll 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.

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.

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: Enroll in PrepWell AcademyFollow on InstagramFollow on Facebook InstagramFacebookEnroll 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.

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: Enroll in PrepWell AcademyFollow on InstagramFollow on Facebook InstagramFacebookEnroll 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.

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: 0:01:13 What is a specialty aspiration? 0:02:15 What if my child doesn’t care that much? 0:02:45 9th and 10th graders 0:04:55 Rising juniors 0:07:15 Rising seniors 0:11:20 How research becomes a force multiplier 0:14:45 The more you know, the better prepared you’ll be Follow us: Enroll in PrepWell AcademyFollow on InstagramFollow on Facebook

In today's episode, I review the new digital SAT. If you are a parent, or a 9th, 10th, or 11th grader, this is a must-listen. What are the big 4 changes, and how do you set yourself up for success? Follow us: Enroll in PrepWell AcademyFollow on InstagramFollow on Facebook InstagramFacebookEnroll 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.

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: Enroll in PrepWell AcademyFollow on InstagramFollow on Facebook InstagramFacebookEnroll 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.

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? Follow us: Enroll in PrepWell AcademyFollow on InstagramFollow on Facebook InstagramFacebookEnroll If you want to support the show, here are three immediate steps to take. Subscribe to the podcast where ever you listen to podcasts

In today's episode, I discuss how Dartmouth's recent decision to return to a test-required policy for the SAT/ACT has influenced other schools. As I predicted last week, Yale has now returned to a test-required policy as well. They call their policy test-flexible. Columbia has gone in the opposite direction and proudly announced that they are making their test-optional policy permanent. Harvard and Cornell are kicking the can down the road for another year and keeping test-optional in place. University of California schools still refuse to accept any test scores (test-blind). What is going on here? What does any of this mean? What should my child do? Listen to today's podcast to get some guidance. Follow us: Enroll in PrepWell AcademyFollow on InstagramFollow on Facebook InstagramFacebookEnroll If you want to support the show, here are three immediate steps to take. Subscribe to the podcast where ever you listen to podcasts

In today's episode, I discuss how to develop a compelling extracurricular activity in the final 6 months before college applications are due. There are many juniors who wake up halfway through the year, and realize that their extracurricular activities list is pretty light. It dawns on them that their applications are due in 6 months -- and they hit the panic button. What can I do to be different, to stand out? Most of my activities are pretty generic and unorganized... Listen to today's podcast to learn a way to take your ECA list to the next level. If you're younger than a junior, learn how to use the same strategy over 18 - 24 months, instead of 4 - 6 months. Follow us: Enroll in PrepWell AcademyFollow on InstagramFollow on Facebook

One key insight I’ve learned after working with hundreds of families over the years, is that the particular “college" a student attends, isn’t nearly as important as the “skills" they learn during the college application process. The process is more important than the prize. Which begs the question, what are the critical skills that students need to learn to prepare for college - no matter where they go - Princeton or Passaic Polytech? And how can I help them learn these lessons? In this episode, I walk through all 10 Life Skills and explain why they will play such a critical role in your child’s future.

In today's episode, I discuss the implications of Dartmouth College's recent decision to reinstate the standardized test (SAT or ACT) requirement next year. Translation...you will be required to submit an SAT or ACT score. Just like the old days. In other words, the gig is up! I predict that nearly every other highly-selective college will soon revert back to requiring an SAT or ACT by next year (or the year thereafter). Learn how this decision came about, when the other colleges will follow suit, and who will be the winners and losers in this ongoing drama. Follow us: Enroll in PrepWell AcademyFollow on InstagramFollow on Facebook

In today's episode, I discuss your child's chances of getting into a UC (University of California) school. There are 9 UC campuses up and down the coast of California. 7 of the 9 schools are in the "Top 10 most-applied-to colleges" in the country. For example: UCLA (about 150K applications), UC Davis (about 110K applications) With this obscene number of applications, is it even worth applying? What are your chances of getting in? If you're interested in how your child might fare in the UC admissions lottery, please listen. Follow us: Enroll in PrepWell AcademyFollow on InstagramFollow on Facebook

In today's episode, I discuss 3 Extracurricular Activity (ECA) buckets: Bucket #1Bucket #2Bucket #3 I will focus primarily on Bucket #3, my favorite bucket of all. If you're interested in how your child might use the "do-it-yourself" bucket to their advantage, please listen to this episode. Follow us: Enroll in PrepWell AcademyFollow on InstagramFollow on Facebook

In today's episode, I discuss the value of college campus visits. If you're interested in using your travel time efficiently, please give this episode a listen.

In today's episode, I revisit a topic I have discussed many times: the importance, relevance, and future of the SAT. Lo and behold, a blockbuster article recently came out in the New York Times which addressed this issue in a surprising fashion: The Misguided War on the SAT - Colleges have fled standardized tests, on the theory that they hurt diversity. That's not what the research shows. If you're interested in what this article said and how it might impact you and your child, please give this episode a listen.

In today's episode, I try to uncover the reasons why, for the first-time ever, a majority of Americans (51%) no longer believe that college is worth the time or money. Yikes! That's quite a shift compared to 5 years ago. shouldshould not If you're interested in the radical changes happening on college campuses, from affordability, to student protests, to the spread of commercially useless degree programs, give this episode a listen. Follow us: Enroll in PrepWell AcademyFollow on InstagramFollow on Facebook InstagramFacebookEnroll 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.