PrepWell Podcast - Ep. 67 | How Rick should prioritize summer options
Jan 16, 2021
In this episode, I cover more than just a standard list of summer activities. I use a real-world case study to demonstrate why some summer activities might be better than others for "Rick".
Here is what I discuss in this episode:
0:02:34 Behind the scenes strategies
0:03:15 Case study: "Rick"
0:03:47 Rick's options
0:04:30 Option 1: Private Pilot's license
0:07:50 Option 2: Rick's friend gets him a local internship
0:09:48 Option 3: Apply for a NASA internship
0:11:15 Option 4: Re-start his startup idea
0:14:15 Final recommendation
0:14:45 What is the downside?
0:16:58 How do I assess opportunities?
0:17:34 How Rick should prioritize options
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PrepWell Podcast - Ep. 66 | Top questions of 2020, answered
Jan 09, 2021
Show Notes:
In this episode, I walk through answers to FAQs from 2020.
Here is what I discuss in this episode:
0:01:14 Should I worry about the SAT or ACT anymore?
0:03:18 I got 1190 on my PSAT. What do I do now?
0:06:03 I've been getting a lot of fancy invitations to leadership conferences. Should I go?
0:08:00 I want to be an engineer. Any advice?
0:09:22 Is there any stigma in moving my child to a different school?
0:11:02 I got my first "B". Should I eliminate "Ivies" from my target list
0:12:13 What's the best way to use my summers?
0:14:15 Why did this student get in and I didn't?
0:16:05 Are colleges assessing students differently because of COVID?
0:18:40 I need to get some work experience. What can I do during COVID?
0:20:14 I want to go to a military service academy. What should I prioritize?
0:21:26 What trends are you seeing with your private PrepWellers?
...
PrepWell Podcast - Ep. 64 | Making sense of this year's early admissions results
Dec 18, 2020
Show Notes:
In this episode, I walk through the factors that made this year's early admissions process one of the most difficult in years. Who got in, who got deferred, and who got denied?
Here is what I discuss in this episode:
0:01:20 What is early admissions?
0:04:00 Why was early admissions so competitive this year?
0:04:44 #1 More applicants
0:05:15 Optional SAT and ACT scores
0:06:40 Flight to quality
0:08:00 Generous financial aid programs
0:08:40 #2 Fewer spots
0:09:32 #3 Recruited athletes
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PrepWell Podcast - Ep. 63 Success: Pay now or pay later?
Dec 13, 2020
Show Notes:
In this episode, I lay out the steps (and options) for high school students who want to succeed in college and beyond. Step 1: Decide if you want to succeed. Step 2: Decide if you're willing to pay the price. Step 3: Decide if you want to pay now or later?
Here is what I discuss in this episode:
0:01:20 Do you want to be successful?
0:02:30 When do you want to pay?
0:03:23 Students who want to pay "now"
0:05:25 Summary questions
0:07:00 What if you don't get into your dream school?
0:07:51 Students who want to pay "later"
0:10:02 Are you okay with a 10 or 15 year delay?
0:11:22 Summary
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PrepWell Podcast - Ep. 60 | The renewed importance of class selection
Nov 22, 2020
Show Notes:
In this episode, I discuss how the admissions process is changing right before our eyes and how "class selection" has become even more important than GPA or SAT/ACT scores. How do you approach the class selection process to make sure you get it right?
Here is what I discuss in this episode:
0:01:19 Why is class selection so important?
0:03:05 The new #1 factor in college admissions (thanks to COVID)
0:04:49 How to optimize the class selection process
0:05:40 The highly-motivated student
0:07:07 Which classes are the top performing students taking?
0:08:10 Challenged, but still successful
0:09:33 Case study: Students who wants to apply to competitive colleges
0:10:15 Which AP class(es) should I drop?
0:11:20 How do I know which AP/Honors classes to take?
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PrepWell Podcast - Ep. 59 | What to do when the dream of a D-I scholarship dies
Nov 14, 2020
Show Notes:
In this episode, I explore what parents should do when their child's D-1 athletic scholarship dreams are dashed. Who makes the decision? When should this decision be made? Is it different for boys and girls? How does the student-athlete recover?
Here is what I discuss in this episode:
0:06:44 When should you know if your child has scholarship potential?
0:10:00 What if the answer is no?
0:15:45 Letters of Recommendation
0:10:40 3 options (DI, DIII, no college prospects)
0:11:09 Division I prospects
0:12:25 Division III prospects
0:15:35 No college sports
0:17:22 Sticking with the status quo
0:20:22 Mix things up
0:21:40 How to transition away from scholarship dreams
0:20:05 Branding and Leadership
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PrepWell Podcast - Ep. 58 | What juniors need to know right now
Nov 07, 2020
Show Notes:
The college admissions environment is changing before our eyes. In this episode, I update juniors on what to focus on right now. Please tune-in for a refresher on what’s changed, what’s stayed the same, and what to prioritize.
Here is what I discuss in this episode:
0:01:52 Grades
0:04:15 Standardized tests
0:15:45 Letters of Recommendation
0:17:09 Signature Extracurricular Activity
0:20:05 Branding and Leadership
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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...
PrepWell Podcast - Ep. 57 | Top 5 Lessons Learned from filling out college applications
Oct 30, 2020
Show Notes:
Filling out college applications is more than just writing essays and submitting test scores. It’s a process that teaches some of life’s most important lessons. In this episode, I cover the Top 5 Life Lessons Learned during this process.
Here is what I discuss in this episode:
0:02:55 A life full of applications
0:05:45 How to Market Yourself
0:08:51 Early Preparation
0:10:30 Time Management
0:11:58 Concise Writing
0:13:42 Attention to Detail
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PrepWell Podcast - Ep. 56 | 20 Bad Decisions
Oct 24, 2020
Show Notes:
In this episode, I go through 20 bad decisions that high-schoolers make and the consequences of such decisions. Make sure that you are not making similar mistakes.
Here is what I discuss in this episode:
0:01:55 Letters of recommendation
0:02:25 When to study for SAT
0:03:00 Highlight videos for coaches
0:03:30 Leadership positions
0:03:58 College essays
0:04:36 Social media repost
0:05:16 Summer plans
0:05:46 No time
0:06:22 SAT and ACT diagnostics
0:06:54 Volunteer work
0:07:54 Financial aid
0:08:28 High School Clubs
0:09:07 Athletic scholarships
0:09:55 Eagle Scout
0:10:31 LinkedIn
0:11:09 Freshman grades
0:11:50 Test-taking timeline
0:12:26 SAT prep
0:13:14 Help from teachers
0:13:46 Summer planning
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...PrepWell Podcast - Ep. 55 | ROTC Scholarships
Oct 17, 2020
Show Notes:
In today’s episode, I discuss ROTC scholarships. What are they? How do they work? How do they differ from service academies? Why should I care?
Here is what I discuss in this episode:
0:01:40 Let’s start with military service academies
0:02:10 Military Service Academies
0:04:35 What is ROTC?
0:07:00 What do ROTC scholarships cover?
0:09:15 More affordable
0:09:50 Serve your country
0:10:06 Part time commitment
0:10:36 Leadership training
0:11:00 Guaranteed job for 5 years
0:11:44 Admissions advantage
0:12:28 Career optionality
0:12:54 Automatic affinity group
0:13:33 Monthly stipend
0:13:51 Life-changing Adventure
0:14:24 Combat exposure
0:15:07 Resume-builder
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