Show Notes:

In this episode, I observe my twin sons who recently returned home for winter break. Listening to their first-semester (freshman year) exploits gave me a unique window into their lives and whether or not PrepWell Academy made any difference. Did any of the lessons stick? Was it worth the hard work? Listen to find out...     

 

0:01:39 Sample size: 2

 

0:05:20 Figure it out, dude

 

0:06:43 Study environment

 

0:08:33 Networking

 

0:11:13 Time management

 

0:14:19 Thinking big

 

0:16:14 Growth v Fixed mindset

 

0:18:00 What makes lessons sticky?

 

0:18:45 High school is a catalyst

 

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Enroll your 9th or 10th grader in the program

Podcast Host: 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.

Show Notes:

In this episode, I break down who benefits the most (and least) from test-optional policies. With Harvard's recent announcement to extend their test-optional policy for another four years, it appears that this trend may become permanent. Who will be the winners and losers? I think you'll be surprised by the answers.      

 

0:01:39 First impressions

 

0:02:50 Who benefits most?

 

0:03:30 Hooked students

 

0:04:50 Non-hooked, super-qualified students

 

0:08:23 Lazy students

 

0:10:15 Super-motivated students

 

0:12:00 Overwhelmed parents

 

0:13:00 Who benefits the least?

 

0:14:19 The real losers

 

0:15:50 In general, all students

 

0:18:07 Review of winners

 

0:19:30 Review of losers

 

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Enroll your 9th or 10th grader in the program

Podcast Host: 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.

Show Notes:

In this episode, I propose a 5-Step process to help break your 14 - 15-year-old son out of their iPhone/video game/Snapchat/IG-induced trance. This is no easy task, and we must deploy CIA-level tactics to bring them to the light.  This episode is for parents only (not for kids). If you have daughters, this will be helpful as well, but it's especially geared toward parents with sons.    

 

0:01:45 Why 14 - 15-year-old boys?

 

0:02:40 When it's too late

 

0:05:00 Squandered potential

 

0:07:40 The stakes are higher

 

0:08:35 Why the disinterest?

 

0:09:28 Lack of long term planning

 

0:09:55 Executive function skills

 

0:10:14 Prefrontal cortex

 

0:10:40 Hormones

 

0:10:58 TikTok, creatine, IG, Netflix

 

0:11:39 Drugs, alcohol, opioids, etc.

 

0:11:50 Rebellion

 

0:12:40 Laid-back attitude

 

0:13:30 Step 1: Temperature check

 

0:14:55 Step 2: Podcast during drive home

 

0:19:07 Step 3: Continue in-car campaign

 

0:20:52 Step 4: Convert to next level

 

0:23:23 Step 5: Advanced guidance

 

Follow us:

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Enroll your 9th or 10th grader in the program

Podcast Host: 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.

Show Notes:

In this episode, I share 18 ideas for extracurricular activities that can be done during lockdowns. I hope it doesn't come to this, but I want you to be prepared in case it does. In certain cases, lockdowns may even help you come up with ECAs that are more unique, compelling, and substantial than you would have considered otherwise.   

 

0:01:15 If lockdowns return

 

0:04:00 Easier than before

 

0:04:47 What makes a good ECA?

 

0:05:20 18 ECA ideas during lockdown

 

Follow us:

Enroll in PrepWell Academy

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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

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Enroll your 9th or 10th grader in the program

Podcast Host: 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.

Show Notes:

There are certain windows of opportunity that should not be missed. Learn the critical decision points and how to stay on track with them.

 

Here is what I discuss in this episode:

0:03:40 Fresh: Division I scholarships?

 

0:04:40 Fresh: Highly-selective schools?

 

0:05:20 Fresh: STEM or Humanities?

 

0:05:36 Soph: Significant leadership role?

 

0:08:36 Soph: Want to attend service academy?

 

0:09:10 Soph: SAT or ACT?

 

0:11:07 Soph: What's your angle?

 

0:12:55 Soph: Financial aid ticker begins

 

0:14:29 Soph: Highlight films

 

0:15:05 Junior: Letters of Rec

 

0:16:00 Junior: When to take SAT?

 

0:17:35 Senior: College essays

Follow us:

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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

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Give us a review

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Enroll your 9th or 10th grader in the program

Podcast Host: 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.

Show Notes:

In this episode, I discuss what happens when those early action admissions emails arrive and you find out whether you were admitted, rejected, or deferred? Is it time to panic? What can you do to immunize yourself from any bad news?  

 

0:00:15 Early action results

 

0:02:00 Is it panic time?

 

0:02:20 How did you arrive here?

 

0:03:00 Fr, So, Jr reactions

 

0:04:00 No "silver bullet" schools

 

0:04:15 What have you accomplished?

 

0:05:00 3-4 years of lessons

 

Follow us:

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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

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Give us a review

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Enroll your 9th or 10th grader in the program

Podcast Host: 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.

Show Notes:

In this episode, I discuss what to do with the PSAT score you just received. How should you decide whether this is a good or bad score? Does this score matter? How do I use my PSAT score to anticipate my prospects of getting into colleges? 

 

0:01:15 PSAT for sophomores

 

0:02:01 What if you did well?

 

0:02:40 What if you didn't do well?

 

0:03:25 Don't assume improvement is automatic

 

0:04:16 Is your score good or bad?

 

0:07:00 Junior year PSAT/NMSQT

 

0:08:30 National Merit Scholarships

 

0:09:50 How much can I improve?

 

0:10:40 What about the ACT?

 

0:11:00 Refer to episodes 72, 80, 92, 95, 96

 

0:11:15 Extreme vs middle-of-the-road scores

 

Follow us:

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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

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Give us a review

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Join our mailing list

Enroll your 9th or 10th grader in the program

Podcast Host: 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.

Show Notes:

In this episode, I discuss how to create the ultimate "brag sheet". What information to include, why it's so important, how to use it with your counselor, and why it will separate you from the pack. 

 

0:01:40 What makes my counselor so important?

 

0:06:21 How to build the relationship

 

0:07:14 When your relationship changes

 

0:09:55 What's on my brag sheet?

 

0:11:08 Taking stock of your life

 

0:11:50 How to organize my brag sheet

 

0:19:34 Other uses for your brag sheet

 

Follow us:

Enroll in PrepWell Academy

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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

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Give us a review

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Enroll your 9th or 10th grader in the program

Podcast Host: 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.

Show Notes:

In this episode, I discuss how to manage the inevitable "Ls" (losses) that we will take in our lives. There is no way to avoid losses, failures, mistakes, and disappointments. The key is to build resilience so that you can dampen the blows and bounce back quickly. Learn the strategies to build your reserves to help mitigate the miscues we all know will be coming.

 

0:02:08 Typical teenage "Ls"

 

0:05:14 How to manage the Ls

 

0:06:04 Preparation

 

0:06:25 Fill your buckets

 

0:08:45 Keep the buckets full

 

0:11:33 How to build reserves

 

Follow us:

Enroll in PrepWell Academy

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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

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Give us a review

Share this episode with a friend

Join our mailing list

Enroll your 9th or 10th grader in the program

Podcast Host: 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.

Show Notes:

In this episode, I continue last week's discussion about how to narrow down college choices. This week, we dive into the relevance (or irrelevance) of your "major" preference when it comes to college selection and beyond. I also explore whether the best high school students will eventually skip college.

 

0:00:40 Should "ranking" be #1 criteria?

 

0:01:20 Two important caveats

 

0:04:30 Does your major matter?

 

0:05:15 Does major matter > college?

 

0:06:15 Majors in high demand

 

0:06:45 A degree in Literature?

 

0:07:37 STEM or Humanities?

 

0:08:10 Where to start college search

 

0:09:12 New world, new majors

 

0:09:30 Value of two Harvard degrees

 

0:10:00 How long to graduate (4, 5, 6 yrs)

 

0:11:00 Straight outta high school

 

0:11:50 Employers new recruiting criteria

 

0:12:10 Does merit matter anymore?

 

0:13:20 New employment track

 

0:14:10 Will best students bypass college?

 

Follow us:

Enroll in PrepWell Academy

Follow on Instagram

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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

Follow me on Instagram or Facebook

Give us a review

Share this episode with a friend

Join our mailing list

Enroll your 9th or 10th grader in the program

Podcast Host: 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.