PrepWell Podcast - Ep. 44 | Mid-summer Check-in
Aug 01, 2020
Show Notes:
We are halfway through one of the most unusual summers that teenagers will experience for the next 50 years. Two months at home - without much responsibility (in most cases). In this episode, I speak directly to every teenager, student, PrepWeller, and prospective PrepWeller. I ask them to reflect on what they’ve accomplished during the month of July. I prompt them to make a plan for August. I challenge them to decide whether or not they want to be different. I provide a key strategy for making August the best month ever.
Here is what I discuss in this episode:
0:04:00 August is here…buckle-up
0:05:25 Want to be like everybody else?
0:06:15 Are you a Good Time Charlie?
0:06:45 What does it mean to be different?
0:09:00 Are you different?
0:10:10 What’s the one thing?
0:12:00 Benefits of a checklist
0:13:45 Summary
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PrepWell Podcast - Ep. 43 | Catch-up session for rising juniors
Jul 24, 2020
Show Notes:
At the end of March, PrepWell Academy closed registration to the Class of 2022 (rising juniors). In our eyes, June 1st marks the point of no return. Either you care about college admissions - or you don’t. If you do, the end of sophomore year is the last time that you have a chance to enroll in PrepWell Academy.
Because of the COVID shutdown and our multiple airings on Shark Tank, this year happened to be a giant year for last-minute sophomore enrollees. To make sure this cohort gets up to speed quickly, I have laid out exactly what should have happened in 9th and 10th grade and what rising juniors can do to catch up if need be.
Here is what I discuss in this episode:
0:03:10 Artificial deadline
0:04:50 Not too late for rising juniors
0:05:50 Basics of 9th and 10th grade
0:09:00 Where do I stand?
0:10:44 Extracurricular activities
0:13:45 Leadership
0:15:05 Summers
0:18:10 SAT or ACT
0:19:37 Summary remarks
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PrepWell Podcast - Ep. 41 | When-all-else-fails
Jul 11, 2020
Show Notes:
In today's episode, I provide advice to parents who are trying to help their child stay on top of academics over the summer (even if just a little bit) - and students who want to stay on top academics (even just a little bit) - especially when they find themselves overwhelmed, due to travel, or COVID, or other circumstances - or, they’re just paralyzed by too many options.
Here is what I discuss in this episode:
0:01:35 The most basic advice on summer academics
0:02:15 What should we pack for our trip?
0:03:05 When-all-else-fails
0:06:00 Are you falling behind academically?
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PrepWell Podcast - Ep. 38 | Public or Private High School?
Jun 20, 2020
Show Notes:
I speak with a lot of parents who struggle over the decision to send their children to public or private high schools. Their struggle is well-founded. There are many factors to consider in this important decision.
This episode is also valuable to parents who already have children in high school because it uncovers insights based on the type of high school your child attends (private or public).
Here is what I discuss in this episode:
0:02:03 Factors that drive the decision
0:02:43 Religious affiliation
0:04:17 Cost of attendance
0:05:48 Athletics
0:08:43 Quality of teaching
0:10:21 Social life
0:13:51 Diversity or homogeneity?
0:14:56 Peer pressure
0:16:18 College preparedness
0:17:51 Case Study - Twin Harbors
0:19:23 Case Study - Ridley Academy
0:20:03 Case Study - Chadwick Academy
0:20:33 Case Study - Strake Jesuit
0:21:33 Bottom Line
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PrepWell Podcast - Ep. 37 | School's out. Now what?
Jun 14, 2020
Show Notes:
Okay, we all survived a very odd school year. Now what? In this episode, I discuss the priorities and winning mindset of rising 9th, 10th, 11th, and 12th graders as they plunge into an uncertain summer.
Here is what I discuss in this episode:
0:01:40 Where we started
0:03:10 Why the summer is so important
0:03:45 What do we do now?
0:04:57 What should rising 9th-graders focus on?
0:12:00 What should rising 10th-graders focus on?
0:17:20 What should rising 11th-graders focus on?
0:22:40 What should rising 12th-graders focus on?
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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
- Give us a review
- Share this episode with a friend
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PrepWell Podcast - Ep. 35 | 5 Biggest Mistakes to Avoid in College Admissions
May 30, 2020
Show Notes:
In today’s episode, I present the 5 biggest mistakes parents and students should avoid during the college admissions process. Not surprisingly, many of these mistakes are made early in the process. Tune-in to inoculate yourself from these missteps.
Here is what I discuss in this episode:
0:01:50 #5 Believing that sports will carry the day
0:05:30 #4 Misunderstanding how financial aid works
0:14:45 #3 Ignoring Summers
0:18:47 #2 De-prioritizing the SAT and ACT
0:23:40 #1 Starting too late
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- Subscribe to the podcast where ever you listen to podcasts
- Give us a review
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PrepWell Podcast - Ep. 34 | Misallocation of Time
May 23, 2020
Show Notes:
In today’s episode, I discuss the challenges that arise when students misallocate their time.
Do you see anything wrong with the following scenario?
Sarah has spent over 5,000 hours participating in [enter common extracurricular activity here], an activity that will add only marginal value to her college application.
At the same time, Sarah is extremely reluctant to spend 30-40 hours this summer preparing for the SAT, a test that will have massive impact on her college application.
Here is what I discuss in this episode:
0:01:44 Calling all sophomores (Class of 2022)
0:05:45 Beat the deadline (May 30, 2020)
0:06:09 Our relationship with time
0:07:04 How are you allocating your time?
0:08:42 Does your time allocation match your ambitions?
0:10:58 Case Study: Soccer star
0:14:20 5,000 hours of soccer vs 30 hours of SAT prep
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PrepWell Podcast - Ep. 33 | Letters of Recommendation
May 15, 2020
Show Notes:
In today’s episode, I address the growing importance of letters of recommendation. What they are? When you should request them? Which teachers should you ask? How much do these letters matter? Do they matter more or less in light of COVID-19? What are the best strategies and tactics to secure the best letters of recommendation possible?
Here is what I discuss in this episode:
0:01:28 Why is this important for rising juniors?
0:01:45 Why early preparation matters so much
0:02:18 A tale of two juniors
0:03:21 How to set yourself up for success
0:03:52 What not to do
0:05:05 The Magic: Strategy + Tactics
0:06:04 Step 1: Teacher selection
0:07:55 Eight special factors
0:12:12 Step 2: Ask the teachers
0:13:13 How to ask your teacher
0:15:14 Step 3: Send your brag sheet
0:17:20 How much do letters matter?
0:18:00 Why is this year different?
0:18:45 Why it’s important to finish strong
...
PrepWell Podcast - Ep. 30 | Student-Athletes' Summer Strategies 2020
Apr 25, 2020
Show Notes:
In today’s episode, I focus on what student-athletes should do to begin, maintain, or improve relationships with college coaches during this unusual recruitment period. With the likelihood that Summer 2020 camps, showcases, tournaments, invitationals, and other in-person evaluation opportunities will be canceled, what can student-athletes do to stay in the mix when it comes to recruitment?
Here is what I discuss in this episode:
0:01:40 Do you want to get recruited?
0:02:15 The big questions
0:03:06 Assumption: Summer 2020 canceled
0:03:28 What does an athlete do?
0:03:52 Time-based sports
0:04:25 What if you play a team sport?
0:04:52 What sport do you play?
0:05:10 If you play a team sport
0:05:25 Highlight video
0:06:50 What if the summer disappears?
0:07:08 What do you not do?
0:07:30 What do you do?
0:07:57 What are coaches looking for?
0:08:32 How to stand out
0:08:55...
PrepWell Podcast - Ep. 29 | How Does COVID-19 Affect Freshman and Sophomores
Apr 17, 2020
Show Notes:
In today’s episode, I focus on how freshman and sophomores (and their parents) will be affected by COVID-19. I provide a macro-level analysis on the state of competition for in-state colleges and universities as well as tactical advice on what to do to counter the surge in selectivity. I also opine on how the economic downturn will affect parents and colleges alike. This is a must-listen for parents and of rising 8th, 9th, 10th, and 11th-graders (as well as their children).
Here is what I discuss in this episode:
0:01:38 June SAT canceled
0:03:23 Competition for in-state schools exploding
0:05:06 Private colleges get stingy
0:05:30 Colleges shutting down
0:05:52 Future of athletic scholarships
0:06:25 Students stay closer to home
0:06:46 Flight to familiar
0:06:47 Lowering admissions standards
0:07:45 The bottom line - more competition
0:08:06 A countervailing force?
0:08:40 Changing landscape...