PrepWell Podcast with Phil Black

In today's episode, I talk about financial aid and the comically high cost of college. What's the difference between need-based aid, merit-based aid, and how Tier II colleges intentionally inflate their cost of attendance only to offer big discounts (disguised as a merit or academic scholarships) to make parents and students feel good about themselves and about paying $60K/year to attend....

In this episode, I walk through three parenting strategies when it comes to handling your teen in high school: (1) hand's-off, (2) helicopter, or (3) hedger.  Each style has its own advantages and disadvantages. Figure out what style you use and whether it's the best way to go.

Show Notes: In today's episode, I discuss how little time we have left with our children (and how to maximize that time). Statistically, once our child turns 18, 90% of the time we will ultimately spend with him/her - is already spoken for. Translation: Once our child goes to college, it's possible that we will only see them another 60 times (total) over the next 30 years. If you're in...

Show Notes: In today's episode, I bring up a question that most parents can't answer: Is my child a good writer? Can my child write a 3-sentence email without an error in spelling, punctuation, or grammar? My guess: probably not. Please listen to today's episode to find out how to make sure your child doesn't fall into this category. Follow us: Enroll in PrepWell Academy Follow on...

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...

Today's episode complements Episodes 93 and 145, which all provide advice to students interested in majoring in "Business" in college. I speak to a lot of students who say they want to study business (or go into business), but know little about what "business" actually means in the real world. When students make this claim to their friends and family, most just nod their he...

Show Notes: [Caution: Please do  not  listen to this episode with your child] Ever wish that your son or daughter was a bit more motivated? In this week's podcast, I review 3 tactics to consider when dealing with a teenager who is reluctant to challenge themselves. Tactic 1 : Acquiescence Tactic 2 : Forced March Tactic 3 : Guidance I walk through each of these options and provide examples of h...

Show Notes: In this week's podcast, I make the case for proactively choosing a  community college  over a middle-of-the-road, under-delivering, over-priced, traditional, 4-yr college. There used to be a stigma attached to community colleges, as if the students couldn't hack it at a 4-year college or university. Those days are over. The once "stigmatized track" is turning into the...

Show Notes: In this week's podcast, I discuss the growing importance of your child's "intended major" in the context of college admissions. Would my son be better off selecting "Egyptian Architecture" as his intended major to differentiate him from the crowd? The pitfalls of choosing "Computer Science" as your major. Parents of 6th - 12th graders should give this episode a listen. Follow us: Enrol...

Show Notes: In this week's podcast, I discuss the challenges experienced by Generation P (Pandemic) and how they may have accelerated the existential threat facing the viability of a college degree. If you've ever wondered (secretly or out loud): "Is college even worth it anymore?" you may want to give this episode a listen... Follow us: Enroll in PrepWell Academy Follow on Instagram Follow on Fac...

Show Notes: In this week's podcast, I share an embarrassing story about how I recently flip-flopped on one of my long-held parenting policies: Pay-to-play If you have a child, and you spend money on them, you may want to give this a listen... Follow us: Enroll in PrepWell Academy Follow on Instagram Follow on Facebook If you want to support the show, here are three immediate steps to take. Subscri...

Show Notes: In this week's podcast, I share a typical conversation that I have with teenagers regarding their preparation for the SAT or ACT. Let's just say it doesn't go all that well. If you have a child who's in charge (or wants to be in charge) of their own SAT study plan, please give this episode a listen. Follow us: Enroll in PrepWell Academy Follow on Instagram Follow on Facebook If you wan...

Show Notes: In this week's podcast, I share a tip that I learned 7 years ago. If you have a child with big ambitions for college and beyond, make sure you don't skip today's episode. Follow us: Enroll in PrepWell Academy Follow on Instagram Follow on Facebook If you want to support the show, here are three immediate steps to take. Subscribe to the podcast where ever you listen to podcasts Follow m...

Show Notes: In this week's podcast, I share a perfect example of how exploring your interests in high school can pay off. In Kevin Fitzgibbon's case, it meant getting a dream job with the NFL at age 19.   Kevin used PrepWell Academy's strategy of "interest probing" to land this job and pave the way for an amazing future. If your child is looking for examples of how this strategy works in real life...

In this week's podcast, I offer a creative idea to help your child develop an early interest in a subject, field, industry, or career.   Ideally, this process will help them when it comes time to choose an "intended major" on their college applications. This seemingly simple step can have significant consequences in the admissions process and beyond. If you want to help your child develop a buddin...

Show Notes: In this week's podcast, I make a pitch for students to consider Toastmasters. If you've never heard of Toastmasters, you definitely need to listen to the episode. If you have heard of Toastmasters, but don't know how it might be relevant for your child, please listen to the episode.   Follow us: Enroll in PrepWell Academy Follow on Instagram Follow on Facebook If you want to support th...

Show Notes: In this week's podcast, I discuss a strategy that I call "interest-probing". How do you help your child figure out what they are interested in? How might that interest translate into a college major or career? How do you stress-test their interest to see if it's durable? In this episode, I review a case study of a PrepWeller who is doing it right. Follow us: Enroll in PrepWell Academy...

Show Notes: In this week's podcast, I discuss a big pet peeve of mine. My "issue" has to do with to a test-taking contagion exacerbated by SAT/ACT test-optional policies. If your child plans to take (or skip) the SAT or ACT, please listen to this episode.   Follow us: Enroll in PrepWell Academy Follow on Instagram Follow on Facebook If you want to support the show, here are three immediate steps t...

Show Notes: In this week's podcast, I discuss one of PrepWell Academy's first principles: Prepare Early Every August, it becomes abundantly clear who has been preparing early (and often) and who has been procrastinating - especially when it comes to seniors and their college applications. Students fall into two categories: Preppers: who will complete their college applications by September Procras...

Show Notes: In this week's podcast, I discuss the perverse overlap between your prime earning years and your child's prime athletic development years. How do we justify spending extra time at the office when we know our child's window of opportunity is so finite and fleeting? Do we maximize our income in the name of pragmatism or throttle back our professional ambitions in order to support our chi...

Show Notes: 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. Here is what I discuss in this episode: 0:06:00 How to use this worksheet 0:06:55 Objective Academic Measures (Big 3)...

Show Notes: In this episode, I go over what you need to know about the new digital SAT that rolls out in March 2024 (and the digital PSAT in October 2023). If you are a rising junior (Class of 2025), you MUST listen to this podcast. Here's what I cover: What's going on with the PSAT & SAT? When does it happen? Why is it happening? Differences between paper and digital? Who benefits most and le...

Show Notes: In this episode, I share my favorite skill-teaching technique that I have used with my sons for the last 18 years. The technique is based on a concept known as the "zone of proximal development" (aka Z.P.D.) first popularized by famed Russian psychologist Lev Vygotsky. The best time to help your children learn new and challenging skills is when they are in the Z.P.D. Learn how to recog...

Show Notes: In this episode, I review a bunch of commonly asked questions that I hear from PrepWellers, parents, online, and audiences I speak to: Which is better, a selective private high school or a public high school? How important are AP classes these days?  How important is my "intended major"? What's the most important part of my application? Is college even worth it? Why are college admissi...

Show Notes: In this episode, I review the three phases that high school athletes go through on their way to becoming a recruited college athlete: Phase I: The Pursuit Phase II: The Commitment Phase III: The Reality Most of the conversations about this topic focus on the hype, the Instagram "commitment" posts, and energy around an athlete's decision to play sports in college. Unfortunately, not a l...