PrepWell Podcast Ep. 141 | Who will win the tug of war?
Jul 08, 2022
Show Notes:
In this episode, I reflect on the challenge of parenting teens. How much freedom do we give them? How hard do we push them? When do we let them fail and at what? What are the consequences of pushing too hard or giving too much slack? Listen to my advice on how to manage this tug-of-war.
0:01:45 Back and forth
0:04:54 Let the war begin
0:05:35 The tension
0:06:35 How to reduce tension?
0:07:23 The risk of extremes
0:08:50 Hold the tension
Follow us:
If you want to support the show, here are three immediate steps to take.
- Subscribe to the podcast where ever you listen to podcasts
- 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 ...
PrepWell Podcast Ep. 140 | How to build an extracurricular activity from scratch
Jun 30, 2022
Show Notes:
In this episode, I reflect on a recent conversation I had with a rising sophomore who was intent on finding an extracurricular activity that would challenge him, feed his passion, and differentiate himself from the masses. We started with a single premise: He liked investing. How did we extend this simple idea into a 2-year blueprint that could put JP on the map and make him a compelling applicant for any college in the country?
0:01:45 JP's background
0:03:15 The big idea
0:04:10 Why a good idea
0:07:20 Short-term tactics
0:08:40 Benefits
0:10:20 It's a go
0:11:37 Long-term vision
0:12:05 How to build momentum
0:14:15 The feedback loop
0:16:00 How admissions would react
0:17:20 Your child?
Follow us:
If you want to support the show, here are three immediate steps to take.
- Subscribe to the...
PrepWell Podcast Ep. 139 | A change of heart
Jun 22, 2022
Show Notes:
In this episode, I reflect on a recent conversation I had with a rising senior PrepWeller (KIna). What started off as a brainstorming session for her college essay, took an unexpected turn. As I dug into her background, likes/dislikes, and aspirations, we came to the conclusion that Computer Science may not be the path for her. This came as a surprise, as she has always thought of herself as a Computer Science person. What was her true calling? How did she handle this tension? What was her new major preference?
0:01:27 Kina's profile
0:02:15 The big assumption
0:03:00 Why Computer Science?
0:03:45 Outside influences
0:04:20 Robotics Club
0:07:05 Non-robotics interests
0:11:25 A new major preference
0:12:15 Unchallenged assumptions
0:13:50 Application just got easier
0:14:15 How to be competitive
0:14:50 Beyond admissions
0:15:25 Moral of the story
Follow us:
PrepWell Podcast Ep. 136 | Lessons learned from the trenches
Jun 04, 2022
Show Notes:
In this episode, I reflect on another chaotic year in admissions. I update you on what's happening with applications, standardized tests, recruited athletes, cost of attendance, expectations, major choices, competitiveness, predictability, and strategies to deal with all of the above.
0:01:50 Applications
0:02:30 Testing
0:04:28 Cost of college
0:06:50 Expectation management
0:09:00 Major choices
0:10:00 Competitiveness
0:13:02 Predictability
0:16:40 Harvard, Stanford, USNA, community college
0:17:25 What's the plan?
Follow us:
If you want to support the show, here are three immediate steps to take.
- Subscribe to the podcast where ever you listen to podcasts
- Give us a review
- Share this episode with a friend
- Join our mailing list
PrepWell Podcast Ep. 135 | Top 3 Priorities for 7th - 12th graders
May 21, 2022
Show Notes:
In this episode, I preview the Top 3 priorities for students in 7th - 12th grade. Are you focused on the right things? PrepWell Academy is premised on delivering the right priorities at just the right time. Make sure your priorities are both relevant and aligned as we enter into the all-important summer.
0:01:35 6th and 7th graders
0:05:12 8th graders
0:10:30 9th graders
0:14:52 10th graders
0:20:00 11th graders
0:23:36 12th graders
Follow us:
If you want to support the show, here are three immediate steps to take.
- Subscribe to the podcast where ever you listen to podcasts
- 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 ...
PrepWell Podcast Ep. 133 | Honest answers to 10 tough questions
Apr 29, 2022
Show Notes:
In this episode, I take a stab at answering 10 tough questions about college admissions.
0:01:15 Is college even worth it?
0:05:00 How much debt is too much?
0:06:53 Should I consider the "trades"?
0:08:35 What about military options?
0:10:39 Are youth athletics more or less important today?
0:11:57 What is the success barbell?
0:13:40 Should I transfer to my dream school?
0:15:05 How many schools should I apply to?
0:17:10 How do I become a recruited athlete?
0:18:58 Should I still take the SAT?
Follow us:
If you want to support the show, here are three immediate steps to take.
- Subscribe to the podcast where ever you listen to podcasts
- Give us a review
- Share this episode with a friend
- Join our mailing list
- Enroll your 9th or 10th grader...
PrepWell Podcast Ep. 127 | Your first call with a college coach
Mar 18, 2022
Show Notes:
In this episode, we are talking college athletic recruiting again. Specifically, I walk through how to think about your first phone call with a college coach. What makes you worthy of a phone call to begin with? What should you ask? What shouldn't you ask? What should you be prepared to answer? How to make a great first impression.
0:01:00 When can you talk directly to coaches?
0:02:10 How to prime the pump
0:03:40 Phone over Zoom calls
0:05:15 Case study: Coxswain to Princeton?
0:06:30 Mutually convenient time
0:07:23 Be high energy
0:07:50 Demonstrate maturity
0:09:00 Do your due diligence
0:11:05 Junior Day or official visit?
0:12:40 How do you develop coxswains?
0:14:02 Where am I in the pecking order?
0:15:00 Timeline
0:17:30 Show me the money
0:18:16 Are any majors off-limits?
0:19:35 Next steps
0:20:00 Follow-up after the call
PrepWell Podcast Ep. 126 | Before you go all-in on sports...
Mar 11, 2022
Show Notes:
In this episode, I walk through the considerations you should make before going all-in on a sport. Specializing in a sport with the intention of playing in college can be a high-risk, high-reward bet. Make sure you're aware of the pitfalls and create a strategic plan.
0:01:50 In the beginning
0:02:40 Exposure phase
0:03:20 The gates of hell
0:05:40 How to anticipate problems
0:06:24 What should you consider?
0:07:00 What's the motivation?
0:09:40 Decision time
0:12:38 Consider their sport
0:13:40 Will they be good enough?
0:14:10 What are the signs?
0:16:25 Are their metrics aligned?
0:18:00 How competitive are the clubs?
0:18:55 How competitive is the sport?
0:20:00 Niche sports
0:20:45 Cherry-picking your sport
0:21:00 Crowding out
0:21:00 Will you run out of money?
0:22:30 What about your time?
0:23:45 Relationships...
PrepWell Podcast Ep. 123 | How did "she" get in?
Feb 18, 2022
Show Notes:
Have you ever had a teacher refuse to bump your 89.5% average from a B to an A at the end of a semester? If you've experienced this common frustration, this episode will arm you with the tools and mindset to make sure it never happens again.
0:01:30 Justified rage?
0:02:28 Just the facts
0:03:00 Grades
0:03:56 SAT scores
0:05:00 Extracurriculars
0:06:23 Was justice served?
0:06:55 Demographics
0:07:55 Timing
0:09:20 Personal statement
0:09:30 Supplementals
0:10:45 Grammar, typos
0:11:45 Major preference
0:12:25 Angles
0:13:15 Letters of rec
0:13:45 Demonstrated interest
0:14:50 High school
0:15:30 Financial issues
0:16:20 Institutional needs
0:17:20 Luck
0:18:50 Bottom line
Follow us:
If you want to support the show, here are three immediate steps to...
PrepWell Podcast Ep. 121 | How to bump an 89.5 to an A
Feb 04, 2022
Show Notes:
Have you ever had a teacher not bump your 89.5% average from a B to an A at the end of a semester? If you've experienced this common frustration, this episode will arm you with the tools and mindset to make sure it never happens again.
0:01:20 Why so many 89.5s?
0:02:30 Start off strong
0:07:11 Show that you care
0:10:00 Do all extra credit
0:11:35 Be your own advocate
0:14:20 What if it doesn't work?
0:15:18 The down low
0:15:55 Summary
Follow us:
If you want to support the show, here are three immediate steps to take.
- Subscribe to the podcast where ever you listen to podcasts
- 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, ...