PrepWell Podcast Ep. 112 | Create the Ultimate Brag Sheet

prepwell podcast Dec 02, 2021

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
 
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PrepWell Podcast Ep. 111 | How to manage your "Ls" (Losses)

prepwell podcast Nov 20, 2021

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
 
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PrepWell Podcast Ep. 110 | Does your "major" matter?

prepwell podcast Nov 13, 2021

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?
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PrepWell Podcast Ep. 109 | If not the Ivies, then where?

prepwell podcast Nov 05, 2021

Show Notes:

In this episode, I make suggestions on how to make a college decision assuming you will not get into one of the Top 10 most-selective schools. Given that these schools have single-digit acceptance rates, this would cover just about everyone.  How should you shift your mindset if the Ivy League is off the table?    
 
0:01:20 Top 10 most selective colleges
 
0:03:10 Why some schools are in such high demand?
 
0:04:40 If no Ivies, then what?
 
0:05:30 Differences in reputation
 
0:07:10 Rankings
 
0:08:00 Be open-minded
 
0:08:37 Cost and career interest
 
0:08:50 Dirty little secret
 
0:10:15 In-state, public schools
 
0:11:00 Tough choices
 
0:12:30 Career interest inventory
 
0:13:30 Option A - lazy option
 
0:14:20 Option B - pragmatic option
 
0:15:00 What would you do?
 
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PrepWell Podcast Ep. 107 | The Case for DIII Sports

prepwell podcast Oct 22, 2021

Show Notes:

In this episode, I present the case for paying more attention (and respect) to Division III sports. Often thought of as "JV" compared to their Division I counterparts, DIII sports are gaining prominence - and for good reason. Listen to this episode to hear the pros and cons of DIII sports, and when you have to decide if it's the right fit for you.     
 
0:02:11 When will you know?
 
0:02:55 Drop the DI dream?
 
0:04:02 Is ego a factor?
 
0:05:00 Why is DIII so competitive?
 
0:06:24 Advantages of DIII
 
0:06:20 Are you a tweener?
 
0:13:25 Downside of DIII
 
0:19:13 Why the convergence?
 
0:09:45 Bottom line questions
 
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PrepWell Podcast Ep. 106 | Biggest Common App Essay mistake

prepwell podcast Oct 16, 2021

Show Notes:

In this episode, I review the number one mistake I see students make in their Common Application essays. Even if your essay is "done", please listen to this episode to make sure you haven't fallen into the trap.     
 
0:02:11 Initial checklist
 
0:03:14 How long should it take?
 
0:04:05 The biggest mistake
 
0:05:10 The story is just a vehicle
 
0:06:24 Why this mistake happens
 
0:06:45 Striking the right balance
 
0:08:25 Don't forget to reflect
 
0:09:15 So what?
 
0:09:35 Story versus self
 
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PrepWell Podcast Ep. 105 | How to train your child not to lie

prepwell podcast Oct 06, 2021

Show Notes:

In this episode, I review one of my favorite parenting strategies called the 60-second rule. The goal is to slowly train your child not to lie. The target age group for this strategy is 6th - 10th graders.     
 
0:01:00 My favorite parenting tip
 
0:01:44 The 60-second rule
 
0:02:23 The nature of mistakes
 
0:04:00 The 10X penalty
 
0:04:40 Case study
 
0:08:00 Low-consequence mistakes
 
0:09:25 Summary of steps
 
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Podcast Host: PrepWell Academy's Founder, Phil Black, has spent a lifetime cracking the code on the...
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PrepWell Podcast Ep. 104 | Can your child write well?

prepwell podcast Sep 29, 2021

Show Notes:

In this episode, I ask a simple question: "When was the last time you saw a sample of your child's writing?" If the answer is several years - you're not alone. We explore why this might be the case and how surprised you might be at your child's level of writing proficiency. Caution: What you hear in this episode may not sit well with you.  
 
0:01:55 A troubling trend
 
0:02:23 When was the last time?
 
0:04:22 College essay readiness
 
0:05:30 Don't assume the best
 
0:06:30 Why do students procrastinate?
 
0:07:56 Back in the day
 
0:09:30 How do teens write papers?
 
0:11:55 I want your child to write well
 
0:12:50 What does it take to write well?
 
0:14:45 Homework assignment
 
0:15:30 Happy or shocked?
 
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PrepWell Podcast Ep. 103 | Should your child switch sports?

prepwell podcast Sep 24, 2021

Show Notes:

In this episode, I suggest that some athletes might want to consider switching sports in order to increase their chances of being recruited at the college level. This is not an easy path, nor a common one. It is fraught with pitfalls. For many athletes, however, so is staying the course. There may be thousands of athletes sitting on hidden talents that could be put to better use in the college athletic recruitment process. Two case studies show how it might work out.  
 
0:01:40 Why even consider such a move?
 
0:04:31 How do I help my child get recruited?
 
0:05:02 Switch to a different sport?
 
0:05:30 Metrics matter
 
0:09:07 The sport itself matters
 
0:11:11 When does it make sense to switch?
 
0:14:40 Case Study #1 (lacrosse to water polo)
 
0:18:35 Case Study #3 (soccer to track)
 
0:20:50 Managing a switch is not easy
 
0:21:23 Checklist to make a decision
 
0:24:00 Hidden talent on the bench
 
...
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PrepWell Podcast Ep. 102 | For juniors, before it's too late

prepwell podcast Sep 17, 2021

Show Notes:

In this episode, I focus my comments on high school juniors who have high potential but are on the cusp of throwing it all away. They got a raw deal with COVID, and if they don't take control of their lives right now - the gig will be up. If you're a parent of a junior, or curious about what I have to say to this cohort, please tune in. 
 
0:01:30 Target audience: juniors
 
0:02:20 Who should skip the podcast?
 
0:03:08 Which parents should listen?
 
0:04:40 Impact of COVID 19
 
0:05:04 Class of 2020
 
0:05:40 Class of 2021
 
0:06:46 Class of 2022
 
0:07:18 Class of 2023*
 
0:09:40 The belly of the beast
 
0:10:00 What did you learn last year?
 
0:11:11 The charade is over
 
0:11:32 Do your study habits suck?
 
0:13:44 The good old days
 
0:14:15 Grinding
 
0:15:40 The year of the grind
 
0:16:10 If you're a junior...
 
0:17:40 If you're not willing...
 
0:19:30 The dirty...
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