Is sophomore year too early to start?

No. If anything, it's borderline too late. In a perfect world, we want PrepWellers to enroll during freshman year. There are important skills, habits, and milestones that are best established early. Our program delivers the awareness and tools that sophomores don't normally get - but desperately need - to position themselves for success down the road. If your child is a sophomore, the time to get engaged is now - and not a minute later.

What if my child isn't quite sure about whether they want to play sports in college?

This is very common - even if they have been a sports phenom their whole lives. The transition to high school sports can be an unpredictable and eye-opening experience for new student-athletes. The Athlete Plan is the perfect place to introduce your child to what it will take to get to the next level - and help them figure out if it's what they want to pursue. In most cases, by the end of their sophomore year, your child will know if collegiate sports is a realistic goal.

What are some unique factors that aspiring college athletes need to consider?

It's important to know if your child's sport even offers athletic scholarships and what kind (full or partial), when the recruiting process starts, how to communicate with coaches, when to start creating highlight reels, and how to maximize exposure over the summer months. For instance, did you know that full-ride athletic scholarships for boys are only offered in two "headcount" sports: football and basketball?

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.

Will the Athlete Plan cover traditional college admissions milestones in case my child doesn't turn out to be a collegiate-level athlete?

Absolutely. The truth is, very few high school players will continue to play competitively in college - so they better be prepared with a Plan B. In fact, the content is similar to the Pathway Plan but adds 25% more sports-specific content for those considering athletic options. Given the competitiveness of college sports programs, every student must be equally prepared to apply to colleges as non-athletes. 

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 athletic options.

What does my child do when they enter junior year?

They continue with the Athlete Plan throughout junior and senior year. This multi-year approach provides continuity and a success framework that walks them through the entire application, recruitment, school visits, 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 as early as 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 athletes; (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 begin to engage 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 college athletic experience. Most schools do not have in-house counselors who have personal experience with the specifics of the athletic recruitment process.

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 college athletic recruiting 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 athletic-based opportunities. Most guidance counselors don't have the training to speak confidently about these diverse programs.

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Does the Athlete 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 Athlete Plan.  Phil does mentor a small group of students very closely 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 Athlete 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: workout or nutrition programming for the elite athlete, college essay review services, SAT/ACT test prep classes or tutors, detailed financial aid counseling, or custom interview coaching. 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 sophomore year? Is it too late?

No. If your child is already well into sophomore year, simply enroll in the Athlete Plan today and they 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?

I do not measure success solely by whether or not students gets an "athletic scholarship" to college. There are too many other factors at play.  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 at a school where they can continue their athletic career (Div I, II, or III) - 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 or athletic reputation of the school your child attends is not the most important measure of their success. 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 becomes an All-American Soccer Player at Duke University.  

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