PrepWell Podcast - Ep. 51 | How will test-optional/test-blind affect admissions?
Sep 18, 2020
Show Notes:
In this episode, I discuss how a trend toward test-optional and test-blind policies will affect the college admissions process - this year and for years to come. Important for families with 8th - 12th graders.
Here is what I discuss in this episode:
0:02:10 Dealing with more test-optional/test-blind colleges
0:02:40 How colleges used to evaluate students
0:03:45 How colleges evaluate students now
0:05:00 The Big 2
0:05:45 What do colleges look at after the Big 3
0:06:14 Imagine yourself as a college admissions officer
0:07:50 10 Extracurricular Activities
0:08:38 Case study
0:11:00 How do I optimize my Activities?
0:15:30 Unique Extracurricular Activities
0:17:40 Summary
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PrepWell Podcast - Ep. 50 | What are my priorities now?
Sep 12, 2020
Show Notes:
In this episode, I help 9 - 12th graders figure out what to prioritize in this ever-changing landscape of college admissions. Do they even bother studying for the SAT/ACT, should they double-down on sports, does it matter if they don’t have the perfect schedule?
Here is what I discuss in this episode:
0:03:45 9th-graders
0:09:26 10th-graders
0:15:25 11th-graders
0:18:45 12th-graders
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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...
PrepWell Podcast - Ep. 49 | UC Schools go test-blind. Now what?
Sep 12, 2020
Show Notes:
Impact of the recent ruling prohibiting UC schools from considering SAT and ACT scores in this year's application process.
Here is what I discuss in this episode:
0:01:12 Shift to test-optional admissions
0:03:54 Shift to test-blind admissions
0:05:00 Unintended consequences
0:06:30 Will applications double to 400,000?
0:07:00 What’s left to evaluate?
0:07:40 Only one lever left to pull (PIQs)
0:08:57 How will readers differentiate students?
0:09:30 Don’t expect to get into a UC school
0:10:06 Apply to as many UC schools as you can afford
0:11:17 Perfect your PIQs
0:11:48 Broaden your target list of schools
0:13:15 UC schools are disputing the ruling
0:13:24 Summary thoughts
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PrepWell Podcast - Ep. 48 | Top 7 habits for teens
Aug 29, 2020
Show Notes:
In this episode, I review the Top 7 habits that high-schoolers should adopt to become standout students, college applicants, and successful professionals someday. This episode is best for 6th-12th graders and their parents.
Here is what I discuss in this episode:
0:02:38 What is a habit?
0:06:00 How long does it take to develop a habit?
0:07:55 Habit #7: Taking notes
0:10:45 Habit #6: Managing your own calendar
0:12:30 Habit #5: Having a vision
0:15:00 Habit #4: Goal-setting
0:17:00 Habit #3: Hard work
0:17:52 Habit #2: Do the hard stuff first
0:19:35 Habit #1: Early preparation
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PrepWell Podcast - Ep. 47 | What's the Plan?
Aug 22, 2020
Show Notes:
In this 10-minute episode, I discuss how COVID has amplified the need for timely and regular advice about the college admissions process. For students who are schooling at home, what’s their plan for getting college admissions advice?
This episode is specifically geared toward parents of freshman and sophomores who are not yet enrolled in PrepWell Academy. Where are you getting your information from? Is it consistent? Accessible? Are your children in the loop? How are you dealing with this new reality?
Listen-in...
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Podcast Host: PrepWell...
PrepWell Podcast - Ep. 46 | The College Essay
Aug 16, 2020
Show Notes:
In today’s show, I walk through exactly how I coach “college essay-writing” to my private and online PrepWellers. If you are a rising senior, and are struggling with starting (or finishing) your college essay, give this episode a listen.
If you’re younger and want to get a head start of the art of essay-writing (smart idea), tune-in and get an early read. If you are a parent, trying to figure out how to guide your child through this process, I suggest you settle-in and take notes.
Here is what I discuss in this episode:
0:03:03 What is the college essay (or personal statement)?
0:03:42 When is the essay due?
0:04:22 When should I start my college essay?
0:05:20 What are supplemental essays?
0:06:00 Why it’s so important to wrap up your essay?
0:07:54 Procrastination 101
0:08:47 What to do if I haven’t started yet?
0:09:34 Where do I begin?
0:10:35...
PrepWell Podcast - Ep. 45 | Rapid-Fire FAQs
Aug 08, 2020
Show Notes:
In most of my podcasts, I do deep dives into one or two topics. Today, I’m bringing back the rapid-fire FAQ format. I’ll give you my quick-takes on some of the most common questions that I get every day as a college admissions advisor.
Here is what I discuss in this episode:
0:01:07 Should I still bother taking the SAT or ACT?
0:01:40 Do colleges prefer SAT or ACT?
0:02:20 Should I take the SAT and the ACT?
0:02:44 Which test should I take: SAT or ACT?
0:03:37 How do I differentiate myself while working remotely?
0:04:50 How do I make a highlight reel with no games?
0:05:34 Should I switch from soccer to fencing?
0:07:05 Is college even worth it?
0:07:44 Will colleges still give financial aid?
0:08:12 Should I study for PSAT?
0:09:20 How do I stay motivated with remote learning?
0:10:20 How do I not fall behind?
0:11:20 How much will senior year grades count?
0:12:30 Should I write about...
PrepWell Podcast - Ep. 44 | Mid-summer Check-in
Aug 01, 2020
Show Notes:
We are halfway through one of the most unusual summers that teenagers will experience for the next 50 years. Two months at home - without much responsibility (in most cases). In this episode, I speak directly to every teenager, student, PrepWeller, and prospective PrepWeller. I ask them to reflect on what they’ve accomplished during the month of July. I prompt them to make a plan for August. I challenge them to decide whether or not they want to be different. I provide a key strategy for making August the best month ever.
Here is what I discuss in this episode:
0:04:00 August is here…buckle-up
0:05:25 Want to be like everybody else?
0:06:15 Are you a Good Time Charlie?
0:06:45 What does it mean to be different?
0:09:00 Are you different?
0:10:10 What’s the one thing?
0:12:00 Benefits of a checklist
0:13:45 Summary
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PrepWell Podcast - Ep. 43 | Catch-up session for rising juniors
Jul 24, 2020
Show Notes:
At the end of March, PrepWell Academy closed registration to the Class of 2022 (rising juniors). In our eyes, June 1st marks the point of no return. Either you care about college admissions - or you don’t. If you do, the end of sophomore year is the last time that you have a chance to enroll in PrepWell Academy.
Because of the COVID shutdown and our multiple airings on Shark Tank, this year happened to be a giant year for last-minute sophomore enrollees. To make sure this cohort gets up to speed quickly, I have laid out exactly what should have happened in 9th and 10th grade and what rising juniors can do to catch up if need be.
Here is what I discuss in this episode:
0:03:10 Artificial deadline
0:04:50 Not too late for rising juniors
0:05:50 Basics of 9th and 10th grade
0:09:00 Where do I stand?
0:10:44 Extracurricular activities
0:13:45 Leadership
0:15:05 Summers
0:18:10 SAT or ACT
0:19:37 Summary remarks
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PrepWell Podcast - Ep. 41 | When-all-else-fails
Jul 11, 2020
Show Notes:
In today's episode, I provide advice to parents who are trying to help their child stay on top of academics over the summer (even if just a little bit) - and students who want to stay on top academics (even just a little bit) - especially when they find themselves overwhelmed, due to travel, or COVID, or other circumstances - or, they’re just paralyzed by too many options.
Here is what I discuss in this episode:
0:01:35 The most basic advice on summer academics
0:02:15 What should we pack for our trip?
0:03:05 When-all-else-fails
0:06:00 Are you falling behind academically?
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