PrepWell Podcast with Phil Black

In this episode, I review the Top 10 reasons why your child probably didn't get into their early action or early decision school - especially if it was highly-selective. If you have a child who was rejected from their dream school, this might give you some clues as to why it happened. If you have younger children (8th - 11th grade), this will provide an early-warning system as to what lies ahead....

In this episode, I address the following common question: Dear Phil, My son/daughter was invited to a National Student Leadership Conference this summer. The session he/she wants to attend is being held on [enter name of prestigious sounding college's] campus. It looks really cool. Do you think it would be worth it for him/her to go, and how much do you think it will help him/her in the college ad...

In this episode, I make the case that prestige, ranking, and name recognition may not be the best predictors of a successful college experience. Sometimes, attending a "normal college" might be the best call.  If you are a student (or parent) who is obsessing about the chances of being admitted to the highest-ranking college possible, this episode may give you permission to exhale. Follow us: ⁠⁠⁠⁠...

If you had/have/will soon have a teenager who needs to learn how to drive, this episode should resonate with you. In this episode, I explain why I love teaching my teenage son how to drive: To build good habits How to deal with mistakes My time with him is short Follow us: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Enroll in PrepWell Academy⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Follow on Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Follow on Facebook⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Follow me on  ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Inst...

In this episode, I discuss how AI might impact our children and their future. Which industries will win or lose when AI takes over? How can my child embrace AI without getting in trouble? Should AI influence my child's college major choice? What can my child do now to take advantage of AI? Follow us: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Enroll in PrepWell Academy⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Follow on Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Follow on Facebook⁠⁠⁠...

In this episode, I argue that the craziness of the college admissions process (and college experience itself), has given us permission to question our assumptions, consider alternative options, and make better decisions. Learn about the red flags, why they have emerged, and how to use them to our advantage. Follow us: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Enroll in PrepWell Academy⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Follow on Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Fol...

In this episode, I flip the script on how most students (and parents) should begin their college search. Typical sequence: College? Major? Career? Recommended sequence : Career? Major? College? By putting these steps in the correct order, you will save yourself time, money, headaches, and (potentially) years of your life. Find out how... Follow us: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Enroll in PrepWell Academy⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Foll...

In this episode, I share what I discovered about academic life on college campuses during my visit with a few college students. Need to write a paper: ChatGPT Need to solve a Physics problem: Chegg These students revealed that many college students haven't written an original paper or solved a math problem on their own in years. Why should they when they have tools that will do such things easier,...

In this episode, I go through a bunch of issues that parents, students, and families are getting wrong (IMO). They are paying too much attention to issue X, and not enough attention to issue Y. Please make sure you are on the right side of the game here: GPA vs SAT 11/12th grade vs 9/10th grade relying on others vs yourself traditional colleges vs alternative paths class selection vs SAT/ACT sport...

In this week's podcast, I review the 3 categories of colleges, how much they cost, and 11 alternatives if you are looking for something different, better, or more affordable. Category 1 : private, liberal arts colleges (Wesleyan) $100K/yr Category 2 : out-of-state, public colleges (UVA) $80K/yr Category 3 : in-state, public colleges (Penn State) $50K/yr If these options don't look feasible, or wor...

In this week's podcast, I cover the 7 hottest trends in college admissions: the move back to "test-required" policies jump in northerners applying to southern schools more students taking gap years surging interest in service academies and ROTC the death of reading in college "super" early admissions deadlines on the rise explosion of digital study tools Listen to this week's episode to make sure...

In this week's podcast, I discuss one of the most important study habits that your child can acquire during high school: note-taking in class If you're child wants to avoid doing homework until 11pm, midnight, and beyond -- they must learn to take quality notes during class. This episode makes a strong case for why this is important and how to get started. Follow us: ⁠⁠⁠Enroll in PrepWell...

In this week's podcast, I discuss the two ways that teenage athletes deal with  injuries . Well Poorly If your child is an athlete, especially an athlete hoping to use sports to get into college, please listen to this episode.  An injury at the wrong time and place can end a high-schooler's athletic (and potential college) career if they adopt the wrong mindset.

Show Notes: In today's episode, I address the issue of  underage drinking . I've been reluctant to speak on this topic publicly because of my controversial stance. However, after my son's friend almost died in a DUI incident over the Thanksgiving holiday, I decided it was time to let my perspective be heard. Unlike some other episodes, this might be a good one to listen to with your te...

In this week's podcast, I urge parents to consider political fit when it comes to the colleges on your child's target list. In particular, I discuss disturbing revelations about the safety of Jewish students on many well-known college campuses across the country. If your child is Jewish, or if you have friends with Jewish students in the college admissions pipeline - please listen. If you...

In this week's podcast, I question whether or not every student (and parent) should obsess about the Ivy League. A lot has changed over the last few years, and the juice may not be worth the squeeze.  Learn what has changed and why it might behoove your child to keep Ivy League schools off their target list of schools.     Follow us: Enroll in PrepWell Academy Follow on Instagram Follow on Fac...

 In this week's podcast, I compare the college admissions process today versus 20 years ago. A lot has changed. If your child is not embracing the new paradigm, it will be a rocky road.  Learn what has changed and what the most successful students are doing to meet the moment. Follow us: Enroll in PrepWell Academy Follow on Instagram Follow on Facebook Follow me on  Instagram  or  Facebook Giv...

In this week's podcast, I share a story about one of my most diligent and accomplished PrepWellers (let's call her "Jayda"). Jayda took what she learned from her PrepWell videos (and several Zoom calls) to create what I call a "signature extracurricular activity" or SECA. A SECA is something that pulls together a variety of different elements of a student's story in...

In this week's podcast, I try to answer one of the most common questions I hear from parents - especially about their first-born, highly-competitive, multi-talented daughters: "She'll get into the Ivies, right?" Does your daughter check any (or all) of these boxes: very bright (4.something GPA) AP and Honors classes self-motivated 2 varsity sports leader in multiple school clubs...

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 episode I'll go over the new digital ACT. 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 Join our mailing list (by opting in on the homepage or in this article) Enroll  your 9th or 10th grader in the program PrepWell Academy's Founder,  Phil Black ,  has spent a lif...

In this week's podcast, I review the pros and cons of a question I am asked on a weekly basis.  Which is better, public or private school?  Even if you are not actively considering these two options, this podcast will highlight the good and the bad inherent in each scenario.

In this week's podcast, I answer a parent's question that often comes up when discussing ROTC programs and service academies. "Is ROTC safe for my child?" Find out the answer to this question and other interesting factoids about ROTC programs (e.g. which programs pay 100% tuition for all 4 years, etc.).   Follow us: Enroll in PrepWell Academy Follow on Instagram Follow on Faceboo...

In this week's podcast, I rip through 14 recent FAQs that have surfaced over the last two weeks: Status of test-optional policies? Best way to prepare for SAT? Should I spend $3K on Duke camp? Can I start my Common App now? Is babysitting an extracurricular? Should I submit an optional letter of rec? Is NCSA a scam? Does applying early increase my chances? How do I start my college essay? What...

In this week's podcast, I wonder how students (and families) go about reconciling the two most common pieces of financial advice out there today: Invest early, and often, especially in your 20s and 30s Attend the best, most prestigious college possible, at any cost If you are racking up tens of thousands of dollars in student loan debt, how can you (at the same time) possibly invest money in y...