Ep. 236 | The death of reading
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.
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Ep. 235 | The new digital ACT
In this week's podcast, I review the new digital ACT.
- What has changed?
- What has stayed the same?
- When will it be available?
- Which students should take it?
- Should you believe the hype?
Check it out and make sure you are keeping these tests in perspective.
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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 Business School, Navy SEALs, Goldman Sachs, Entrepreneurship, Shark Tank (2X), etc.
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Ep. 234 | Which is better, public or private school?
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.
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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.
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Ep. 231 | Irreconcilable differences
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:
- Invest early, and often, especially in your 20s and 30s
- Attend the best, most prestigious college possible, at any cost
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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Podcast Host:
PrepWell Academy's Founder, Phil Black, has spent a...
Ep. 229 | The transfer portal
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.
- No more high school recruiting?
- A new "tweener" league emerging?
- 22-yr old freshmen?
Listen to this episode if you want to stay apprised of what's happening in college sports.
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Ep. 228 | More of this...less of that
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?
- GPA vs ECAs
- Academic programs vs campus amenities
- Sports vs ECAs
- School year vs summer
- Volunteer work vs real job
Listen to this episode to make sure your priorities are pointing in the right direction.
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Podcast Host:
PrepWell Academy's Founder, Phil Black, has spent a lifetime cracking the code on the...
Ep. 227 | Transition and big announcement
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:
- freshman (get a head start)
- sophomore (lock-in last year's gains)
- junior (prepare for battle)
- senior (front-load application work)
Also, a big announcement about PrepWell Academy's new sister school...
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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 Business School, Navy SEALs,...
Ep. 225 | A silver lining amid the chaos?
In this week's podcast, I argue that despite these challenges...
- switch to test-optional policies
- de-emphasis on writing
- violent protests on campuses
- elevation of DEI above merit
- rise of radical antisemitism
- increase in made-up majors
- employers turning off recruitment
- incompetent school presidents
- rampant plagiarism among top faculty
- cancellation of graduation ceremonies
- racial segregation of dorm rooms
- students disowning their parents
- $100K/year college bills
...we have reason to be hopeful.
Find out how I get there.
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Ep. 224 | Blank Stares
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?
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Ep. 223 | Sports: double-down or diversify?
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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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
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- Join our mailing list (by opting in on the homepage or in this article)
- 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...