PrepWell Podcast with Phil Black

In this week's podcast, I urge parents to do whatever they can to help their children become avid readers. In my opinion, a student's academic upside (e.g. GPA, SAT, AP, college acceptances) is highly correlated to their relationship with reading. This relationship comes in three stages:  Stage 1: avid reader Stage 2: non-reader Stage 3: anti-reader My four sons have fallen into all three...

In this week’s episode, I review the origin story of “TED Talk Roulette” and how it can be implemented in your child’s life.  This activity is designed to help students who claim that “they just aren’t interested in anything”.  If your child finds it difficult to articulate what they are interested in, what college major might be a good fit, or a possible career path, it’s time to play TED Talk Ro...

In today's episode, I dispel a myth circulating around the internet suggesting that your college major is  the  most important factor in determining your future earning potential.  I beg to differ.  Yes, your college major is important, but it is not the deciding factor, especially with AI disrupting the job market in such profound ways.  Please give this episode a listen if your child is wond...

In today’s episode, I reveal a sneaky accounting trick that some colleges use to avoid entering the $100K/yr club.  Please give this episode a listen if your child is considering a private, liberal arts college, or a flagship state college/university in a different state. Also, I offer 5 reasons why it still might be a reasonable idea to consider a college that charges $100K+ per year. Follow us:...

In today's episode, I lay out the latest developments in the college admissions process.  how to define "best" 160,000+ applications all applications look the same no more DEI curation institutional priorities survive variable pricing models As we move into the important summer months, make sure you know what to prioritize, what has fallen out of favor, and how to stay ahead of the g...

In today's episode, I welcome all PrepWellers into their new cohorts.  As of tomorrow ( June 1st ), all members will be migrated to the next year. 8th-graders (2030) will become new freshman PrepWellers Freshman (2029) will become sophomore PrepWellers Sophomores (2028) will become junior PrepWellers Juniors (2027) will become senior PrepWellers In this week's podcast, I review why it'...

In today's episode, I comment on Princeton's recent policy change when it comes to test administration. Princeton students will no longer be allowed to take exams without proctors walking the aisles.  For 133 years, the "honor system" was sufficient to keep students from cheating on exams. Not anymore.  Smartphones and AI have made cheating so easy, even the students at Princeton...

In today's episode, I offer some suggestions on how to curb (or break) your child's phone addiction. If you have a 12-16 year old child who is using their phone more than you think is reasonable, please give this episode a listen.  Follow us: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Enroll in PrepWell Academy⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Follow on Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Follow on Facebook⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Follow me on  ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠  or  ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠...

In today's episode, I review the new model proposed by the NCAA for college athlete eligibility (Division I). If you have a child who may want to play sports in college, this is a worthwhile listen.  What is proposed? Who are the winners and losers? What should I prepare for? Follow us: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Enroll in PrepWell Academy⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Follow on Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Follow on Facebook⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Follow...

In today's episode, I redefine what your child's #1 priority should be when planning for college. Years ago, the priorities were: How do I get into an Ivy League, Top 15, or Top 20 college? What should I major in? Those days are over.  Today, given the changing job outlook, technological breakthroughs (i.e. AI, automation), and cost of college, your child should be solving for one thing an...

In today's episode, I discuss 3 broad college/career/adulting pathways: Ivy League school Non-Ivy League school  Service academy or ROTC Which way is your child leaning? Follow us: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Enroll in PrepWell Academy⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Follow on Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Follow on Facebook⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Follow me on  ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠  or  ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Facebook⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Give us a review Share this episode with a friend J...

In today's episode, I discuss how the future seems to  favor  those who take one of two extreme positions. And they  disfavor  people who hedge their bets and play it down the middle.   Which way is your child leaning? Follow us: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Enroll in PrepWell Academy⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Follow on Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Follow on Facebook⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Follow me on  ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠  or  ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Facebook⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Gi...

In today's episode, I review how your child can secure extraordinary letters of recommendation from their teachers.   Unfortunately, some students take this part of the application lightly, because it seems like the teacher is the one who has to do all the work. Not true. The student has to do plenty to set the teacher up for success. As usual, this process needs to start early.   Give this ep...

In today's episode, I propose that the stress your child may be feeling about: (1) not getting into his/her dream school, or (2) the agonizing decision as to whether to attend Wesleyan or Swarthmore, is the least of their problems.   There are much bigger fish to fry.  In the big scheme of things, which college your son or daughter decides to attend means very little compared to the answers to...

In today's episode, I discuss the impact of AI across 4 cohorts:  recent college graduates college students high school students middle school students Some students will love the change and embrace it. Others will run screaming. Others will bury their heads in the sand. Others will freeze in their tracks.  What will your child do?  Follow us: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Enroll in PrepWell Academy⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Follo...

In today's episode, I discuss what you should expect from your school's guidance counselor.  Extracurricular activity audits? Summer strategy and planning? Course selection? College essay brainstorming and editing? The level of support may vary based on what type school your child attends (e.g. private, public), but there are many similarities as well.   Listen to this week's episode t...

In today's episode, I wrestle with the tension between sticking to the old playbook (e.g. traditional college track) and throwing caution to the wind.  How will AI impact opportunities for college graduates?  College prepares students for the following job responsibilities: administrative and organizational tasks research and information gathering data analysis and reporting communication and...

In today's episode, I dive into one of the most frustrating parts of parenting a teenager.  What to do if they are... bright hardworking dedicated motivated but they lack a "passion" for any one topic. If your son or daughter falls into this category, give this episode a listen for some ideas.  Follow us: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Enroll in PrepWell Academy⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Follow on Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Fo...

In today's episode, I propose the only 5 cases which justify spending $400K on college.  you're rich you're poor your child has a $400K trust fund your child was born to be an investment banker your child won an ROTC scholarship If your family doesn't fall into one of these categories, your child should not consider colleges that charge $100K/year.  Follow us: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Enroll in PrepW...

In today's episode, I walk through a thought experiment that considers the following choice:  attend Northwestern University @ $100K/year or attend UIUC @ $50K/year Budget: $300K in a college fund How does this family think about the pros and cons of this consequential decision for their daughter?   Follow us: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Enroll in PrepWell Academy⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Follow on Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Follow...

In today's episode, I discuss an issue that doesn't get a lot of air-time.  Loneliness Of the many challenges that face new college students, loneliness is one that can fly under the radar. It's not often talked about, but it can wreak havoc.  Before your child heads out the door, please give this episode a listen.   Follow us: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Enroll in PrepWell Academy⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Follow on Ins...

In today's episode, I review some inconvenient truths about the state of DI athletic scholarships. What has changed? Did the recent NCAA ruling help or hurt? What are the risks associated with pursuing a DI scholarship?   crowding-out risk injury risk talent risk financial risk integrity risk development risk coaching risk team culture risk transfer portal risk education risk career risk and m...

In today's episode, I discuss the how much (or how little) a "campus culture" can influence your child's world view. I look at three different students: street-smart student  middle-of-the-road student  clueless student And 3 different campus environments: political (conservative or progressive) religious (faith-friendly or secular) social permissiveness (strict or anything goes)...

In today's episode, I review a list of skills that college graduates should develop to become competitive in an AI world. Being a "problem-solver" is no longer one of them. Instead, job-seekers should focus on things that AI models are incapable of, such as: long-term vision leadership persuasion asking the right questions Find out how to learn these skills and what other conventiona...

In today's episode, I assume the role of a typical 17-yr old who claims he's interested in majoring in "business". Until today, it would be commonplace for that student to have a very superficial understanding of what it takes to become a business major, what types of jobs are available in the "business world", how much money he stands to make, etc.  That student has of...