PrepWell Podcast with Phil Black

In this week's podcast, I go through the Top 20 "pros" and "cons" for playing Div I sports in college.  Most students (and parents) can rattle off a handful of pros (e.g. full-ride scholarship, Instagram post, status, etc.), but aren't always aware of some of the cons (e.g. commitment level, injury, coaching changes, etc.) If your child aspires to play Div I sports some...

In this week's podcast, I discuss the college transfer portal. In particular, how the transfer portal is transforming college basketball.  If you have a child who aspires to play basketball in college (at any level), this is a must-listen. If your child plays other sports, it may not be quite as relevant, but it will raise your awareness as to what's happening out there.  No more high scho...

In this week's podcast, I continue a game we played a few months ago called "More of this...less of that". What are the college admissions issues that should be getting more attention versus some that should be getting less? GPA vs ECAs Academic programs vs campus amenities Sports vs ECAs School year vs summer Volunteer work vs real job Listen to this episode to make sure your priori...

In this week's podcast, we say goodbye to the Class of 2024 and usher in the new Class of 2028. Learn what each new "year group" should focus on this summer: freshman (get a head start) sophomore (lock-in last year's gains) junior (prepare for battle) senior (front-load application work) Also, a big announcement about PrepWell Academy's new sister school... Follow us: Enroll...

In this week's podcast, I describe why Roman turned down his dream school (USC) for a more practical approach to college (community college to UC Irvine). If you've been wondering whether there are options beyond going to the most prestigious (and expensive) college that your child gets admitted to, listen to this episode. Follow us: Enroll in PrepWell Academy Follow on Instagram Follow on...

In this week's podcast, I argue that despite these challenges... switch to test-optional policies de-emphasis on writing violent protests on campuses elevation of DEI above merit  rise of radical antisemitism increase in made-up majors employers turning off recruitment incompetent school presidents rampant plagiarism among top faculty   cancellation of graduation ceremonies racial segregation...

In this week's podcast, I discuss a strange phenomenon that I witnessed a few weeks ago. For context, I was asked to give a presentation on "college admissions-related" topics to a group of 30 teenage boys (ages 15-16) -- something I have done hundreds of times over the last 10 years. To kick things off, I asked a series of anodine questions that I thought would ease us into a broade...

In this week's podcast, I discuss whether it makes sense for your child to double-down on sports, or diversify into other areas of interest. There will come a point in time when your child has to answer this fateful question: "Am I committed to becoming a recruited college athlete or not?" Listen to this week's episode to learn when this decision should be made, what happens if i...

In this week's podcast, I make a pitch for summer school. All four of my sons took classes over the summer (for different reasons) and many motivated PrepWellers have done the same. Listen to this week's episode to learn why summer school has become a "thing". Follow us: Enroll in PrepWell Academy Follow on Instagram Follow on Facebook Follow me on  Instagram  or  Facebook Give u...

Several years ago, I created a 1-page worksheet that laid out the 7 categories that determine how well a student will be prepared for the college admissions process. In this podcast, I walk through this worksheet and discuss how it reveals your child’s competitiveness.

Last week, I emailed a link to my private calendar offering PrepWell families an opportunity to book a consulting session with me. College admissions is so off the rails that I thought it might be nice to give families a chance to ask questions. I was overwhelmed with the response. With the craziness going on with college admissions these days, who could blame them? In today's podcast, I share...

In this week's podcast, I dive into this year's crazy admissions results. Take a look at the admit rates of a sampling of popular colleges: Amherst 9% Bowdoin 7% Brown 5% Colby 6% Columbia 4% Dartmouth 5% and the list goes on... What exactly is going on here? Single-digit acceptance rates as far as the eyes can see. I walk through an example of how an unhooked student has to compete agains...

Researching colleges at the right time and with the appropriate intensity is an important part of the college admission process. The sooner your child (and you) begin to follow a plan - the better. Especially for students with “specialty aspirations”. In this episode, I walk you through how, when, and why you should begin your research.  Here is what I discuss in this episode: 0:01:13  What is a s...

In today's episode, I review the new digital SAT. If you are a parent, or a 9th, 10th, or 11th grader, this is a must-listen. What are the big 4 changes, and how do you set yourself up for success?  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 today's episode, I confront the cost of today's college education. In fact, I highlight 14 distinct case studies of PrepWellers whom I have worked closely with. Here's what they are paying for college every year: Case Study #1: $100K/yr Case Study #2: $80K/yr Case Study #3: $77K/yr Case Study #4: $70K/yr Case Study #5: $60K/yr Case Study #6: $50K/yr Case Study #7: $45K/yr Case Study...

In today's episode, I discuss Duke's recent announcement that they will no longer assign points to the college essay. They used to grade essays using a point system (1 - 5). Strong essays received high scores. Weak essays received low scores. Not anymore. Students no longer get credit for using proper punctuation, grammar, spelling, syntax, diction, etc. None of that matters anymore. What...

In today's episode, I discuss how Dartmouth's recent decision to return to a  test-required  policy for the SAT/ACT has influenced other schools. As I predicted last week, Yale has now returned to a test-required policy as well. They call their policy  test-flexible . Columbia has gone in the opposite direction and proudly announced that they are making their test-optional policy  permanen...

In today's episode, I discuss how to develop a compelling extracurricular activity in the final 6 months before college applications are due. There are many juniors who wake up halfway through the year, and realize that their extracurricular activities list is pretty light. It dawns on them that their applications are due in 6 months -- and they hit the panic button. What can I do to be differ...

One key insight I’ve learned after working with hundreds of families over the years, is that the particular “college" a student attends, isn’t nearly as important as the “skills" they learn during the college application process.  The   process is more important than the prize .  Which begs the question, what are the critical skills that students need to learn to prepare for college - no...

In today's episode, I discuss the implications of Dartmouth College's recent decision to reinstate the standardized test (SAT or ACT) requirement next year. Translation...you will be  required  to submit an SAT or ACT score. Just like the old days. In other words, the gig is up! I predict that nearly every other highly-selective college will soon revert back to requiring an SAT or ACT by n...

In today's episode, I discuss your child's chances of getting into a UC (University of California) school. There are 9 UC campuses up and down the coast of California. 7 of the 9 schools are in the "Top 10 most-applied-to colleges" in the country. For example: UCLA (about 150K applications), UC Davis (about 110K applications) With this obscene number of applications, is it even w...

In today's episode, I discuss 3 Extracurricular Activity (ECA) buckets: Bucket #1 : in-school Bucket #2 : summer Bucket #3 : DIY I will focus primarily on Bucket #3, my favorite bucket of all. If you're interested in how your child might use the "do-it-yourself" bucket to their advantage, please listen to this episode. Follow us: Enroll in PrepWell Academy Follow on Instagram Fol...

In today's episode, I discuss the value of college campus visits. When is the best (or worst) time to visit? What should you expect? Are there reasons not to visit a campus? Is my child too young for a visit? How to prepare for campus visits  How to make the most of your time If you're interested in using your travel time efficiently, please give this episode a listen.

In today's episode, I revisit a topic I have discussed many times:  the importance, relevance, and future of the SAT. Lo and behold, a blockbuster article recently came out in the  New York Times  which addressed this issue in a surprising fashion: The Misguided War on the SAT - Colleges have fled standardized tests, on the theory that they hurt diversity. That's not what the research show...

In today's episode, I try to uncover the reasons why, for the first-time ever, a majority of Americans (51%) no longer believe that college is worth the time or money. Yikes! That's quite a shift compared to 5 years ago. Why is this the case? What happened? Which students  should  go to college? Which students  should not ? At what price is college worthwhile? Alternatives to $300K college...