PrepWell Podcast with Phil Black

If your child took an AP Exam(s) in May, they probably just received their scores a few days ago. Do AP exam scores even matter? How much do they matter? What is a good AP exam score? Should I submit my scores? Today, it's more important than ever to know these answers. If your child has not yet grappled with AP classes or exams yet, please do not skip this episode. Like so many other parts of...

In this episode, I compare two different approaches to extracurricular activities: Strategy 1: Attempt to win a prestigious, well-established competition like the Google Science Fair. Strategy 2: Create your own project that garners equal recognition and notoriety. What are the pros and cons of each: risks? rewards? effort? payoff? With so many elements of today's college applications blending tog...

In this episode, I review how your child should prepare for the SAT or ACT. Historically, these strategies didn't change much. Today, the strategies change by the month. If you are the parent of a rising  junior  or  senior , please make sure you are up-to-date on the latest developments in standardized testing. Is the ACT even worth considering? When should I take the SAT/ACT? Why so many bac...

In this episode, I discuss how to make sure our children don’t flush a $300-400K education down the toilet. For decades, we’ve been told (brainwashed): You have to go to a traditional 4-yr college You have to go to the highest-ranking college possible You have to go to college, at any cost You must be allowed to enjoy the “full college experience” at any cost I explode these assumptions, and propo...

Summer is the perfect time to prepare for the rigors of the college admissions process. What’s the best way to approach your child to make sure they are making the most of these critical three months? Answer: A parent(s) must sit down with their child and create a summer plan Easier said than done, right? In this episode, I walk through exactly how I conduct these summer planning sessions with own...

In this episode, I offer a few strategies (and tactics) to help your child find leadership opportunities - particularly for those children who may be introverted or shy. It can be intimidating to elbow your way into a leadership position in high school if you aren't particularly outgoing, extroverted, or aggressive. How can we help to steer our children into leadership positions despite any re...

In this episode, I dispel a myth that many parents (and athletes) fall prey to when it comes to college athletic recruiting: "My club coach will help me get an athletic scholarship" As well-intentioned as many coaches are, you cannot (and should not) expect your club coach (or high school coach) to drive the recruitment process for your child.  That's not going to happen.  Implementi...

In this episode, I argue that many more students should consider applying to colleges with low name recognition (e.g. Goucher College, Beloit College, Eckerd College). Most students (and parents) pay scant attention to colleges they've never heard of before or that don't show up on popular college "rankings." This is a mistake. With rising college costs ($100K/yr) and plummeting...

Is your sophomore on track? There are several milestones that every high school sophomore should meet to remain competitive in the college admissions process. Has your child hit those milestones? Also, my 4th son just got his driver's license, which immediately injected 20 hours per week back into my life. Why am I so sad? Follow us: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Enroll in PrepWell Academy⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Follow on Insta...

In this episode, I predict the fallout from the recent freeze (or cancellation) of billions of dollars of federal funds once earmarked for several prominent colleges (e.g. Harvard, Princeton, Cornell, Brown, Northwestern, etc.). How will it affect need-based financial aid? How will it affect wealthy students? How will it affect less wealthy students? How will it affect admissions practices? How wi...

In this episode, I try to convince students (and parents) that the SAT and ACT matter again - maybe now more than ever. The 5-year "test-optional" experiment failed. Colleges that admitted certain students from certain demographics without SAT or ACT scores have finally come to grips with their mistake.  Now that the SAT and ACT are back, what should you do?   In this episode, I cover:  ...

In this episode, I cast doubt on the reasons many students give as to why they got accepted to [ enter highly-selective college name ]. In this case, Harvard. There are many TikTok and Instagram videos that capture admitted Harvard students' opinions on how they got admitted.  I deconstruct their answers and discuss why I think they are wrong. These videos are not particularly helpful, and som...

In this episode, I sit down with a straight-A student (Julius) and ask him how he plans to study for his upcoming AP US History exam. His answer may shock you. The fact that your child may have the same answer may shock you even more. During this case study, I document, minute by minute, exactly what questions I ask and how Julius responds. If you have a child who is taking, or plans to take, an A...

In this episode, I discuss Harvard's recent announcement that students whose families make under $200K/yr will go for free. Too good to be true? Maybe.  And how might this policy impact financial aid (or admissions) decisions at similar schools?  Follow us: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Enroll in PrepWell Academy⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Follow on Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Follow on Facebook⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Follow me on  ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠  or ...

In this episode, we bid farewell to the temporary admissions loopholes that have plagued college admissions since COVID. Most experts now agree that the "experiment" failed. I have been suggesting (aka warning) for years that objectives measures will soon return to the admissions process. That day has arrived. SAT and ACT scores are back DEI-driven decisions are out AP Exams scores soon...

In this episode, I offer suggestions on how to come up with unique, DIY, extracurricular activities that: you don't have to search for on the internet you don't have to apply for months ahead of time  you don't have to wait for someone to pick you you don't have to pay exorbitant travel and lodging fees Instead, create an activity that matches your specific interests, that you'...

In this episode, I focus on the importance of reading and how we can help our children become lifelong readers.  Enter: Reading Teams. Have you ever heard of competitive, school-sponsored Reading Teams? Me either. Learn about this unique activity and how you might leverage it for your child's future. Follow us: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Enroll in PrepWell Academy⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Follow on Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Follow...

One of the most challenging decisions for high school student-athletes (and their parents) is whether or not rely on sports as the primary lever to get into a desirable college. In this episode, we dig into three different types of athletes, and how they should consider their options: Elite athlete Superior athlete Recreational athlete If you and your child are trying to decide how much energy to...

In this episode, I address a common question from parents interested in setting up a college admissions consulting call. The question is: "Who should be in the meeting(s)?" student alone? student + one parent? student + both parents? parent(s) alone? I walk through a few different scenarios and provide guidance on when a meeting would be most helpful, who should attend and why, and what...

In this episode, I reveal the most clever college admissions essay prompt I have ever seen. It's a question that attempts to stop students from writing a terrible essay before they have a chance to do so. You may remember a similar premise in the 2002 Tom Cruise movie "Minority Report", where a pre-cog would have a vision of a future crime, triggering the dispatch of a special unit police officer...

As parents and educators, one of our primary goals is to help our children (or students) reach “escape velocity”. Escape velocity is the point at which your child has accumulated enough smarts, tools, relationships, wherewithal, and experience, to forge their own way in the world. In this episode, I review the best way to put your child on that path.   F ollow us: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Enroll in PrepWell Academy⁠...

In this episode, I discuss the personal trait that makes "college choice" nearly irrelevant. With few exceptions, if you possess this particular trait, obsessing over whether you get into College A versus College B may be a big waste of time. This superpower is free, accessible 24/7/365, and cannot be taken away from you. Tap in... F ollow us: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Enroll in PrepWell Academy⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠...

In this episode, I discuss the latest and greatest developments when it comes to standardized tests: Should I worry about the PSAT? What is the significance of the PSAT/NMSQT? Do colleges care about the SAT or ACT anymore? Are AP exam scores still relevant? If you haven't been paying close attention to all of the twists and turns, you may not be up-to-speed on what matters these days. Listen t...

In this episode, I address a common issue among teenagers (that sometimes grows into a concern if it's not addressed in a timely fashion). That is, students who claim that they have no idea what they are interested in, no clue what they want to major in, or what field of work they might enjoy. They are lost. I walk through how I talk to teenagers about this issue, why it exists, and how to help th...

In this episode, I highlight some of the craziest storylines of 2024 and how they affected college admissions. I break the chaos into three buckets: politics sports general college admissions If you are trying to figure out where the unprecedented changes in our society, culture, and political landscape intersected with college admissions, give this episode a listen. Follow us: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Enroll in Pre...