PrepWell Podcast - Ep. 54 | Top 3 Tips for 9-12th graders
Oct 09, 2020
Show Notes:
Today’s episode is a review of the 3 most important things that students should focus on in 9th, 10th, 11th, and 12th-grades. To save time, fast forward to the grade that you care about most.
Here is what I discuss in this episode:
0:03:00 9th-graders
0:08:05 10th-graders
0:15:00 11th-graders
0:21:00 12th-graders
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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 programs: Yale University, Harvard Business School, Navy SEALs, Goldman Sachs, Entrepreneurship, Shark Tank...
PrepWell Podcast - Ep. 53 | 24 Rapid fire FAQs
Oct 02, 2020
Show Notes:
Today’s episode is a compilation of answers to questions you have sent me by email, DM, phone, and voicemail. This format allows me to cover a lot of ground in a short period of time and gives you the opportunity to test your knowledge about the process. Keep those questions coming...
Here is what I discuss in this episode:
0:01:45 Do I need to worry about the SAT or ACT anymore?
0:02:20 Need-based versus merit-based financial aid
0:03:08 What are the best extracurriculars for my child?
0:03:56 Should my son apply ED to Dartmouth?
0:04:50 Do Ivy League schools offer merit aid?
0:05:31 Is it too late to take the SAT this year?
0:06:05 How is my son supposed to be recruited?
0:07:22 What’s the single most important factor for academics
0:07:35 What’s the difference between West Point and ROTC?
0:08:42 Is any college worth $85K/year?
0:09:32 What is Single-Choice Early Action?
0:10:18 When...
PrepWell Podcast - Ep. 52 | How to avoid waking up in a panic your senior year
Sep 26, 2020
Show Notes:
Many teenagers wake up at the end of 11th grade, wondering why they are not prepared for the college admissions process. In this episode, I teach teenagers: (1) how to avoid this fate, (2) why it’s important to start early, and (3) how to maintain their motivation - even during COVID-19.
Here is what I discuss in this episode:
0:02:05 What “things” can we control?
0:03:30 How small changes affect long-term goals
0:03:55 The Titanic
0:05:35 What “icebergs" do you have in your life?
0:06:55 How do you avoid the fate of the Titanic?
0:07:24 Importance of a vision
0:07:49 What is viscipline?
0:09:50 What simple behaviors will change my life?
0:12:30 What insight helped me achieve success?
0:13:14 My ultimate hope
0:13:30 The Magic Formula
0:14:05 How do I start the journey?
0:15:00 The first step...
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PrepWell Podcast - Ep. 51 | How will test-optional/test-blind affect admissions?
Sep 18, 2020
Show Notes:
In this episode, I discuss how a trend toward test-optional and test-blind policies will affect the college admissions process - this year and for years to come. Important for families with 8th - 12th graders.
Here is what I discuss in this episode:
0:02:10 Dealing with more test-optional/test-blind colleges
0:02:40 How colleges used to evaluate students
0:03:45 How colleges evaluate students now
0:05:00 The Big 2
0:05:45 What do colleges look at after the Big 3
0:06:14 Imagine yourself as a college admissions officer
0:07:50 10 Extracurricular Activities
0:08:38 Case study
0:11:00 How do I optimize my Activities?
0:15:30 Unique Extracurricular Activities
0:17:40 Summary
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PrepWell Podcast - Ep. 50 | What are my priorities now?
Sep 12, 2020
Show Notes:
In this episode, I help 9 - 12th graders figure out what to prioritize in this ever-changing landscape of college admissions. Do they even bother studying for the SAT/ACT, should they double-down on sports, does it matter if they don’t have the perfect schedule?
Here is what I discuss in this episode:
0:03:45 9th-graders
0:09:26 10th-graders
0:15:25 11th-graders
0:18:45 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
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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 programs: Yale University, Harvard...
PrepWell Podcast - Ep. 49 | UC Schools go test-blind. Now what?
Sep 12, 2020
Show Notes:
Impact of the recent ruling prohibiting UC schools from considering SAT and ACT scores in this year's application process.
Here is what I discuss in this episode:
0:01:12 Shift to test-optional admissions
0:03:54 Shift to test-blind admissions
0:05:00 Unintended consequences
0:06:30 Will applications double to 400,000?
0:07:00 What’s left to evaluate?
0:07:40 Only one lever left to pull (PIQs)
0:08:57 How will readers differentiate students?
0:09:30 Don’t expect to get into a UC school
0:10:06 Apply to as many UC schools as you can afford
0:11:17 Perfect your PIQs
0:11:48 Broaden your target list of schools
0:13:15 UC schools are disputing the ruling
0:13:24 Summary thoughts
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PrepWell Podcast - Ep. 48 | Top 7 habits for teens
Aug 29, 2020
Show Notes:
In this episode, I review the Top 7 habits that high-schoolers should adopt to become standout students, college applicants, and successful professionals someday. This episode is best for 6th-12th graders and their parents.
Here is what I discuss in this episode:
0:02:38 What is a habit?
0:06:00 How long does it take to develop a habit?
0:07:55 Habit #7: Taking notes
0:10:45 Habit #6: Managing your own calendar
0:12:30 Habit #5: Having a vision
0:15:00 Habit #4: Goal-setting
0:17:00 Habit #3: Hard work
0:17:52 Habit #2: Do the hard stuff first
0:19:35 Habit #1: Early preparation
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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. 47 | What's the Plan?
Aug 22, 2020
Show Notes:
In this 10-minute episode, I discuss how COVID has amplified the need for timely and regular advice about the college admissions process. For students who are schooling at home, what’s their plan for getting college admissions advice?
This episode is specifically geared toward parents of freshman and sophomores who are not yet enrolled in PrepWell Academy. Where are you getting your information from? Is it consistent? Accessible? Are your children in the loop? How are you dealing with this new reality?
Listen-in...
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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
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Podcast Host: PrepWell...
PrepWell Podcast - Ep. 46 | The College Essay
Aug 16, 2020
Show Notes:
In today’s show, I walk through exactly how I coach “college essay-writing” to my private and online PrepWellers. If you are a rising senior, and are struggling with starting (or finishing) your college essay, give this episode a listen.
If you’re younger and want to get a head start of the art of essay-writing (smart idea), tune-in and get an early read. If you are a parent, trying to figure out how to guide your child through this process, I suggest you settle-in and take notes.
Here is what I discuss in this episode:
0:03:03 What is the college essay (or personal statement)?
0:03:42 When is the essay due?
0:04:22 When should I start my college essay?
0:05:20 What are supplemental essays?
0:06:00 Why it’s so important to wrap up your essay?
0:07:54 Procrastination 101
0:08:47 What to do if I haven’t started yet?
0:09:34 Where do I begin?
0:10:35...
PrepWell Podcast - Ep. 45 | Rapid-Fire FAQs
Aug 08, 2020
Show Notes:
In most of my podcasts, I do deep dives into one or two topics. Today, I’m bringing back the rapid-fire FAQ format. I’ll give you my quick-takes on some of the most common questions that I get every day as a college admissions advisor.
Here is what I discuss in this episode:
0:01:07 Should I still bother taking the SAT or ACT?
0:01:40 Do colleges prefer SAT or ACT?
0:02:20 Should I take the SAT and the ACT?
0:02:44 Which test should I take: SAT or ACT?
0:03:37 How do I differentiate myself while working remotely?
0:04:50 How do I make a highlight reel with no games?
0:05:34 Should I switch from soccer to fencing?
0:07:05 Is college even worth it?
0:07:44 Will colleges still give financial aid?
0:08:12 Should I study for PSAT?
0:09:20 How do I stay motivated with remote learning?
0:10:20 How do I not fall behind?
0:11:20 How much will senior year grades count?
0:12:30 Should I write about...