Is freshman year too early to start?

No. In fact, we encourage PrepWellers to enroll upon 8th-grade graduation so we can help them plan a productive summer before starting high school - particularly if they aspire to attend the most selective colleges. There are important skills, habits, and a mindset that are best established early. Our program delivers the awareness and tools that children don't normally get - but desperately need - to position themselves for success down the road. 

What's the difference between the Ivy and Pathway Plan?

The Ivy Plan is intended for students who aspire to attend the most-selective colleges (Top 20) such as Ivy League schools, MIT, Stanford, Duke, etc. Ivy takes preparation to the next level - which is needed to have a fighting chance at any of these schools. Expectations are high and the Ivy Plan prepares them for these unique challenges. Pathway is a similar program but geared toward slightly less competitive colleges.

How do I choose between Pathway and the Ivy Plan?

The Ivy Plan is for children (and parents) who are open to learning about the subtle strategies and tactics that will differentiate them from their peers. The Pathway Plan, on the other hand, is more appropriate for children who want a less rigorous approach to the process and will settle for colleges one notch below the most-competitive tier. 

Why do some public and private "college-prep" high schools tell me that it's not necessary to worry about college until junior year?

In some cases, it would simply be too costly and administratively burdensome to provide this type of advice to 9th and 10th graders. They would be doubling their workload and the number of personnel needed to manage these expectations. Some schools are left with little choice but to suggest that you wait for junior year or seek outside assistance. 

Does enrollment in the Ivy Plan guarantee that my child will get into an Ivy League school?

Now, that's a silly question. Of course not. We named the plan "Ivy" simply to represent the (roughly) 20-50 most-selective schools in the country. There are certain "early" steps that need be considered to prepare your child for this type of competition down the road. And, of course, there are no guarantees. The Ivy Plan is simply a program for families who want to give their child every conceivable opportunity and the best chance to succeed at the highest level. They want to leave no stone unturned.

What happened to the junior and senior year PrepWell plans? I no longer see them listed on the website.

These plans still exist but are only available for students who begin PrepWell Academy as a freshman or sophomore. A non-PrepWeller who waits until junior or senior year to begin thinking about college admissions needs a different level of attention and guidance and should seek help elsewhere.

What's the PrepWell Journal all about?

The Journal is a great complement to your child's overall program. It provides a convenient collection point to record what they're learning, reflecting on, and considering. Each page asks a few simple questions to ensure that they understand the most important takeaways. It also serves as a tangible item that parents can glance at to gauge their child's progress. Parents love seeing the Journal on the countertop because it acts as a visual reminder for their child. Look for the opportunity to purchase this popular item during checkout.

What does my child do when they enter junior year?

They continue with the Ivy Plan throughout junior and senior year. This multi-year approach provides continuity and a success framework that walks them through the entire application, essay writing, and submission process from soup-to-nuts. For students who desire more personal guidance through the process, they may engage with me on an as-needed basis or apply for my in-depth 1:1 Mentorship Program.

How does PrepWell Academy differ from using a private college counselor?

(1) Timing: PrepWell Academy starts in 9th grade and continues through 12th grade. Private counselors begin their work with students in 11th or 12th grade. As we've discussed, this is too late for many students - especially those who may aspire to Ivy League or other most-selective colleges. For instance, in 12th grade, a college counselor can't turn back time to ensure that your child has demonstrated leadership during high school. They have to deal with whatever hand they are dealt; (2) Cost: PrepWell Academy is affordable. Private counselor fees, on the other hand, are often out of reach for many families. 

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What are PrepWell Academy's core benefits?

1. Pacing: delivery of relevant information only as needed.
2. Accessibility: review weekly lessons anytime, anywhere, on any device.
3. Enduring advice: Phil Black shares valuable personal development strategies that will last a lifetime no matter what path your child chooses.
4. Cost: affordable monthly investment.
5. Continuity: our program begins freshman year and continues through senior year, providing a thoughtful and coordinated approach that leaves little to chance.
6. Chunking: smaller bits of information delivered at regular intervals allow students and parents to understand and digest information more easily.
7. Perspective: Phil Black shares insights gained by real-world experience as a Division I Athlete, Yale University and Harvard Business School graduate, Wall Street Investment Banker, Navy SEAL, Firefighter, Entrepreneur, Shark Tank contestant, husband, and father of four children.
8. Shared platform: parents and child have access to the same material to share ideas, questions, and progress.

Do I need PrepWell Academy if my child goes to an elite private high school that prides itself on readying its students for college?

It depends on your child and the school. There are private high schools that do a terrific job preparing students for college. A few even begin to engage with students in 9th and 10th grade - which is necessary for students who want to compete against the best. What these schools can't provide, however, is the unique set of experiences and insights that I share during the program. PrepWell Academy provides more than a checklist of things to-do to enhance your child's resume. PrepWell provides vision and perspective from someone who has experienced success at high levels of athletics, education, military service, civil service, entrepreneurship, and private sector business. If your child has a remote interest in college sports, military, entrepreneurship, firefighting, banking, investments, consulting, or other demanding careers, these are not necessarily areas of expertise for most private high school guidance counselors.

Doesn't my child's high school guidance counselor cover these topics?

Theoretically, guidance counselors are responsible for providing answers and/or resources related to the college preparation process. However, the ratio of students-to-guidance counselors (often 500:1) often leaves guidance counselors with only enough time to cover the basics. Even at well-resourced high schools, there is simply not enough time for even the best counselors to provide the type of timely, relevant, and actionable information required to compete at the highest levels.

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Does the Ivy Plan include 1-on-1 interaction with Phil Black?

While we love to hear from PrepWellers via email, text, and the socials, personal interaction with Phil Black is not included in the Ivy Plan.

Phil does mentors a small group of students in his 1:1 Mentorship Plan.

What if my child is still in middle school?

Great news! Sign up here and we will get back in touch with you as your child approaches 8th grade graduation.

Is this program for my child or me?

Well, it depends. The lessons are for your child, but many parents follow-along so they know what's going on. By staying in the loop, you can engage in the process and determine if your child is staying on track or drifting. How involved (or not) you get in this process is based on the needs of your child and your parenting philosophy. Either way, if your child is enrolled, you know for sure that they are receiving the guidance and mentorship that they need to make smart decisions.

What are the video lessons like?

The lessons typically fall into five categories: (1) advice, (2) deadline reminders, (3) life skills, (4) inspiration, and (5) projects. Most lessons are 3-7 minutes long (just the right length for early teens). Some tasks take a little longer than others.

How much does the Ivy Plan cost?

$14.95/month

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Will PrepWell cover all of my college preparation needs?

We hope so! However, there are times when students require or request additional support: college essay review services, SAT/ACT test prep classes or tutors, or detailed financial aid counseling. We provide a list of suggested partners that deliver great value for these additional services when the time is right.

Will I get access to the lessons?

Yes. As a parent, you will receive your own username and password to access to all of the lessons in "Your Locker." This access lets you know where you are in the process and provides a great excuse to open a dialogue with your child.

What if my child is already halfway through freshman year? Is it too late?

No. If your child is already well into freshman year, simply enroll in the Ivy Plan and you will automatically get access to all of the previous lessons for that school year back to June. We encourage parents and students to quickly review the past lessons to ensure that they have not missed any time-sensitive projects or deadlines.

How do you gauge student success?

Despite the "Ivy" name, I do not measure success solely by whether or not students get into "Ivy League" schools. That would be nice, but not necessary. My job is not to maximize the number of students who get into Ivy League or other brand name schools. My job is to help students make smart decisions about their future (e.g. high school, gap year, college, job, career, calling). If that lands them in a most-selective school - that's a bonus. I do not post a list of where PrepWell Academy students have been accepted even though many have been (and will be) accepted to the most selective schools. This is not the point.

The selectivity of a school is not the most important measure of student success for me. I measure student success by how a student is doing 6.5 years after graduating from high school. For those who attend four-year colleges, that gives them 2.5 years to put their education into practice in the real world.

I measure success by whether a 25-year old is (1) gainfully employed, (2) enjoying their work, (3) sees a bright future, and (4) is not unduly burdened by college debt. These conditions can be met under infinite scenarios from a student who skips college to become a plumber's apprentice to someone who wins a Rhodes Scholarship upon graduation from Princeton.  

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