PrepWell Podcast Ep. 104 | Can your child write well?
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?
Follow us:
If you want to support the show, here are three immediate steps to take.
- Subscribe to the podcast...
PrepWell Podcast Ep. 103 | Should your child switch sports?
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
...
PrepWell Podcast Ep. 102 | For juniors, before it's too late
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...
PrepWell Podcast Ep.99 | What to do the day before the SAT
Aug 26, 2021
Show Notes:
In this episode, I review what you should do the day before your SAT or ACT.
0:01:14 Necessary tangible items
0:03:00 Other strategies for success
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 cracking the code on the world's most competitive programs: Yale University, Harvard Business School, Navy SEALs, Goldman Sachs, Entrepreneurship, Shark Tank (2X), etc.
Inside PrepWell Academy, Black teaches students everything they need to know about the college admissions process in a...
PrepWell Podcast Ep. 98 | The horses have left the barn
Aug 20, 2021
Show Notes:
In this episode, I review the topics that I covered with my sons before they left for college. It was my attempt to convey as much "wisdom" as I could before they left the nest for good. We covered a variety of topics including paperwork essentials, financial literacy, and how to live a good life. As you can imagine, this was not an easy exercise.
0:02:40 Life Skills (1 - 36)
0:07:24 Paperwork essentials (1 - 13)
0:09:10 Financial literacy (1 - 14)
0:15:00 Financial education
0:19:00 Philosophical questions
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, ...
PrepWell Podcast Ep. 96 | Do you know enough math to excel on the SAT or ACT?
Aug 06, 2021
Show Notes:
In this episode, I reveal yet another reason to take practice SAT or ACT tests before the real thing. This time, it's to discover whether or not you have learned enough math to excel on the math sections of the SAT or ACT. If last year's zoom-based math instruction was a crap show, you may need to study more than you planned for.
0:01:15 Math content gap
0:03:03 Test optional policy rationale
0:03:23 Curse of the rising COVID junior
0:04:40 Impact of pandemic on math
0:05:40 Repeat 10th grade math?
0:06:45 The takeaways
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...
PrepWell Podcast Ep. 94 | How much should I push my child?
Jul 23, 2021
Show Notes:
In this episode, I walk through three parenting strategies when it comes to handling your teen in high school: (1) hand's-off, (2) helicopter, or (3) hedger. Each style has its own advantages and disadvantages. Figure out what style you use and whether it's the best way to go.
0:03:00 Hand's-off parent
0:03:50 Hand's-off pros
0:05:13 Hand's-off cons
0:07:33 Helicopter parent
0:08:13 Helicopter cons
0:09:55 Helicopter pros
0:11:38 Hedger parent
0:14:00 The right strategy
0:14:15 Different children, different styles
0:15:00 Which way to go?
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...
PrepWell Podcast Ep. 93 | Plan to major in Business? Be careful.
Jul 16, 2021
Show Notes:
In this episode, I cover the pitfalls of filling out your college application with a superficial plan to major in Business.
0:01:20 Episode 84 review
0:01:35 Why are business programs so impacted?
0:02:18 Aspects of business
0:02:40 The new default major
0:03:50 How to get business savvy
0:05:20 The price of ignorance
0:05:45 Types of businesses
0:06:22 Roles within business
0:08:00 Accounting or general business?
0:09:00 My message to PrepWellers
0:10:00 How to educate yourself
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...
PrepWell Podcast Ep. 92 | When to take SAT/ACT and how many backups?
Jul 09, 2021
Show Notes:
This episode encourages you to register your child for the SAT/ACT immediately. The best Test Center seats are filling up fast. I also reveal my rationale for registering my students (and sons) for at least 3 backup tests.
0:01:00 Register for the SAT - now
0:01:18 Sign up for ACT alerts
0:02:53 When do I take the test?
0:05:00 Why take an early test?
0:08:00 What if I'm not ready?
0:08:28 Why 3 backups?
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 cracking the code on the...
PrepWell Podcast Ep. 90 | How not to end up with a skimpy Activity List
Jun 25, 2021
Show Notes:
This episode focuses on the section of the Common Application that takes many students by surprise - the Extracurricular Activity list. If you don't plan ahead for this, you might end up with a skimpy list. I walk you through how to avoid this trap, and build a high-impact, themed list.
0:00:12 Wait, what?
0:01:30 Case study
0:04:30 Tip 1: PrepWell
0:05:00 Tip 2: Summers
0:07:00 Tip 3: Core activities
0:07:35 Tip 4: Impact
0:08:00 Tip 5: Alignment
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...