Ep. 167 | How do I prioritize so many competing issues?
Feb 10, 2023
In this episode, I try to help families focus on the issues that matter most when it comes to college admissions. In my experience, some families get too hyped-up about the wrong issues. Despite their good intentions, misplaced energy and focus sometimes lead them astray. Listen to the 4 issues that should be emphasized more and the 4 issues that should be emphasized less. With so many issues competing for our attention, I don't want you to waste any precious time or resources on low impact activities.
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Podcast Host:
PrepWell Academy's Founder, Phil Black, has spent a...
Ep. 163 | ChatGPT and the future of the college essay
Jan 13, 2023
Show Notes:
In this episode, I share my thoughts on the emergence of ChatGPT - the cumbersome name of a new AI platform that is re-writing how we write. How will this new technology impact college admissions, college essays, and the future of writing itself?
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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 (2X), etc.
Learn More About PrepWell:
Inside PrepWell Academy, Black teaches...
PrepWell Podcast Ep. 154 | Checking your child's grades
Oct 28, 2022
Show Notes:
In today's episode, I propose some ideas on how to deal with your child's grades. Should you check up on them? How often? What do you say (or do) if they're good, bad, or middling? What are the pitfalls to avoid? Learn the 5 Rules when assessing your child's grades.
0:00:58 Elementary school
0:01:40 Middle school
0:03:20 Grades: Bs and Cs?
0:04:06 Slippage in middle school
0:05:30 High school
0:05:55 Grade portals for parents
0:06:30 Rule #1
0:08:55 Rule #2
0:10:25 Rule #3
0:14:00 Rule #4
0:15:55 Rule #5
0:18:00 Summary
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PrepWell Podcast Ep. 149 | How to build and "rebuild" your ECA list
Sep 24, 2022
Show Notes:
Today's episode reveals how an engaged PrepWeller took my advice to heart. With some help from me, "Rick" built his extracurricular activities "straw man" over the summer and got to work. Then, after learning more about himself and refining his vision for the future, he and I worked together again to update, upgrade, and re-ignite his list. As a rising junior, Rick has set himself up for success. If he can execute his plan, the sky is the limit. Find out how we tweaked Rick's list for maximum effect.
0:01:25 Review of activities
0:02:05 Follow-up
0:06:36 Should I include piano?
0:07:57 Do I include every club?
0:11:27 Internship (TBD)
0:12:40 Job shadowing (TBD)
0:13:55 Ski Club President
0:14:25 Freshman baseball
0:15:47 Science Fair?
0:17:20 Lifeguard
0:18:32 Ongoing ECAs
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PrepWell Podcast Ep. 148 | How to overcome procrastination
Sep 17, 2022
Show Notes:
Today's episode addresses why teenagers procrastinate so much and how to break them free from this habit. I also make a distinction between chronic and acute procrastination (both equally destructive). Learn how to help your teenager conquer this drag on their productivity and accomplishment.
0:02:25 Chronic procrastination
0:04:30 Acute procrastination
0:06:27 Unclear objectives
0:08:10 Fear
0:09:12 Vision
0:10:15 Swallow the frog
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Podcast Host: PrepWell Academy's Founder, Phil Black, has spent a lifetime cracking the code...
PrepWell Podcast Ep. 145 | 3 ECA buckets (Extracurricular Activities)
Aug 26, 2022
Show Notes:
In today's episode, I offer a way to think strategically about your child's extracurricular activities (ECAs).
Why does this matter?
As most of us know by now, ECAs now have an outsize impact on college applications because of: (1) rampant grade inflation (which does little to help differentiate student ability), (2) optional SAT/ACT tests (which allow students to hide their ability to perform on nationwide tests), and (3) a movement to eliminate teacher letters of recommendation (which offer a 3rd party perspective from a trusted adult).
What's left? Extracurricular Activities
If you're looking for a way to stand out in an otherwise generic process, listen to this episode where I break down ECAs into 3 discrete buckets that each need to be optimized...
0:02:15 The 3 ECA buckets
0:02:50 5 dimensions of ECAs
0:04:50 A perfect ECA
0:09:26 "In-school" ECAs
0:10:57 "Summer" ECAs
0:13:07 "Ongoing" ECAs
...PrepWell Podcast Ep. 143 | Selecting a sport
Aug 20, 2022
Show Notes:
In this episode, I discuss how important it can be to steer your child into a sport that maximizes their potential. In particular, their potential to use sports as a lever to get into a college of their choice. These days, college admissions has become such a black box, that being a recruited athlete has become one of the most predictable ways of securing a spot at one of the growing list of untouchable colleges and universities. What sport would be best for your child? When should you begin to steer them in that direction? What if they don't take the bait? When is it too late? How much of a role does their physical attributes play? What about geography?
0:00:55 Youth sports at age 5
0:01:15 Which sport is best?
0:01:55 Soccer
0:05:20 Basketball
0:06:54 Baseball
0:09:15 Pay attention early
0:10:05 What's a parent to do?
0:11:25 Consider these items before...
PrepWell Podcast Ep. 144 | 10 toughest questions for your teen
Aug 10, 2022
Show Notes:
In this episode, I review the 10 toughest questions a teenager must grapple with while going through the college admissions process. The sooner these questions can be answered, the easier the college search will become. While listening to these questions, ask yourself whether your child would have any clue how to answer them.
0:04:55 Do you care about what college you go to?
0:06:45 Are you going to college for the experience or the skills?
0:09:25 Do you know what you want to study?
0:11:36 How challenged do you want to be?
0:14:00 How much do you care about rankings, prestige, brand name?
0:16:32 Do you want to play Div I, II, III sports in college?
0:17:45 What will make you stand out in the college admissions process?
0:21:30 How much debt do you want to get into (if any)?
0:24:05 Do you have a safety school that you love?
0:26:05 Have you thought about your life's trajectory?
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PrepWell Podcast Ep. 142 | How to get recruited
Jul 23, 2022
Show Notes:
In this episode, I discuss what it takes to become a recruited athlete (from Div I to Div III). When should I start? How do I know if I'll be good enough? What steps do I take to get on the radar of college coaches? What are the pitfalls to avoid? How to make the most of the process even if the "recruiting thing" doesn't work out.
0:00:35 The myth
0:01:10 The reality
0:01:55 The unspoken
0:03:45 Exceptions
0:04:24 The bottom line
0:05:40 Recruiting recap
0:09:55 Your mindset
0:10:10 When to start
0:13:33 Organization
0:15:40 Comms Tips
0:24:30 Engagement varies
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PrepWell Podcast Ep. 141 | Who will win the tug of war?
Jul 08, 2022
Show Notes:
In this episode, I reflect on the challenge of parenting teens. How much freedom do we give them? How hard do we push them? When do we let them fail and at what? What are the consequences of pushing too hard or giving too much slack? Listen to my advice on how to manage this tug-of-war.
0:01:45 Back and forth
0:04:54 Let the war begin
0:05:35 The tension
0:06:35 How to reduce tension?
0:07:23 The risk of extremes
0:08:50 Hold the tension
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Podcast Host: PrepWell Academy's Founder, Phil Black, has spent a lifetime ...