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 these very-selective programs. There are important skills, habits, and a mindset that are best established early. Our goal is to give your child the awareness and tools that they don't normally get - but desperately need - to position themselves for success down the road. 

What if my child isn't quite sure about service academies or ROTC?

This is the norm for most freshman or incoming freshman - even if they have some background and context. The Military Plan is the perfect place to introduce your child to the basics of how service academies and ROTC programs work. The lessons are for beginners and targeted to teens with no prior experience with the military. Periodic exposure to these programs will help inform their decisions later on. If they decide it's not for them - no harm, no foul - we are simply presenting them with options.

Why are these programs so competitive?

Well, I consider an appointment to a service academy or an ROTC scholarship as the equivalent of a $500K windfall. Attending a similarly "prestigious" traditional college could cost about $350K and I add another $150K bonus to account for the 5-year guaranteed job that each student receives upon graduation. And this doesn't even begin to account for the leadership experience, world travel, high-tech training, camaraderie, or world-class networking opportunities afforded by these experiences. When students (and their parents) consider the difference between being in debt $200K versus a $500K windfall, the reason that so many top students are competing for these positions becomes more clear. For some families, there is simply no better "value" when the full picture is taken into account.

What are some unique factors that prospective military students need to think about?

Applying to a service academy or for an ROTC scholarship is an entirely separate process that runs ahead of the traditional college admissions process. If you are not prepared for it, mistakes can be made. Some unique elements that are not required for traditional colleges include: (1) congressional nominations, (2) physical fitness testing, (3) medical exams, (4) officer interviews, (5) military-specific standardized testing, and (6) additional paperwork. In most cases, the process needs to begin far earlier than with most traditional college applications.

Does the Military Plan also teach my child about the admissions process for traditional colleges?

Absolutely. In fact, the content mirrors the Pathway Plan + 25% more content specific to those considering military options. Given the competitiveness of the military programs, every student must be equally prepared to apply to traditional colleges. 

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 - especially if they plan to pursue military options.

What does my child do when they enter junior year?

They continue with the Military 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, fitness test preparation, interview guidance, and multi-stage 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.

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.

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

(1) Timing: PrepWell Academy starts in 9th grade and continues through 12th grade. Most private counselors begin their work with students in 11th or 12th grade. As we've discussed, this is too late for many students - especially for those who want to compete for service academies and ROTC scholarships; (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 nothing 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. Some even 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 - particularly as they relate to the military experience. Most schools do not have in-house counselors who understand the specifics of the military process or its many options.

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 - and even less time to stay up-to-date on the specifics of the military application process.

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 for military-based opportunities. Some guidance counselors don't have the training or experience to speak confidently about these atypical programs.

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Does the Military 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 Military Plan.  Phil does mentor a small group of students very closely in his 1:1 Private 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 Military Plan cost?

$14.95/month

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Will PrepWell cover all of my college preparation needs?

We hope so! However, there may be times when students require or request additional custom support: workout programming for the Candidate Fitness Test, SAT/ACT test prep classes, personal statement review/editing, custom interview coaching. If Phil Black does not have openings for 1:1 mentoring, he will offer additional resources.

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 Military 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 "Military" moniker, I do not measure success solely by whether or not students get into the service academy or ROTC unit of their choice.  My job is to teach students how to prepare for such challenging odds and make smart decisions along the way about their future (e.g. high school, gap year, college, job, career, calling). If that lands them in their favorite service academy or ROTC unit - that's a bonus. The programs are so competitive that there must be a lot of additional value conferred to the students apart from the yes or no from the schools.

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 10 years after graduating from high school. For those who attend a four-year academy, that gives them 6 years to put their education into practice in the real world.

I measure success by whether a 28-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 graduates #1 from the United States Naval Academy.  

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