ServeWell Podcast

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 might be a good fit (e.g. traditional, service academy, ROTC), or a possible career p...

This week, I offer the third and final installment of our 3-part series that tries to answer the question: What makes college students successful? In review: - Part I (feedback) - Part 2 (structure) - Part 3 (challenge) Feel free to reach out with any questions.

This week, I try to explain why my phone is ringing off the hook with students interested in service academies and ROTC programs. I review six different potential reasons. In the end, it seems that traditional colleges are no longer delivering on the promises of the past. Students are looking for something different, better, harder. Feel free to reach out with any questions.

This week, I review the 3 different plans available at ServeWell Academy.  Basic Plan VIP Plan Private Plan I hope this helps those families thinking about enrolling in the program.  For our current members, this is a good reminder of how to make the most out of your participation in the program.  Feel free to reach out with any questions. 

Two weeks ago, I highlighted the importance of feedback when it comes to the development of 18-22 year-olds. This week, I dig into the importance of structure. The two extremes that come to mind are Brown University and West Point. The latter offers one of the most "unstructured" college experiences around. West Point, on the other hand, is the poster child for a structured environment. Learn abou...

Tomorrow (June 1st) marks the migration from one year to the next... eager 8th-graders can now become freshman ServeWellers (2030) freshman ServeWellers (2029) become sophomores sophomore ServeWellers (2028) become juniors junior ServeWellers (2027) become seniors I institute this change now because it gives every age group the whole summer to catch-up on anything that may have slipped through the...

In today's episode, I cover the topic of feedback. In order to mature, young adults need to know what they are doing right and what they are doing wrong. And the sooner -- the better. There are a few pathways that provide this type of feedback, often at an accelerated pace. There are other pathways that do not. If your child is interested in personal development, please give this episode a listen.

In today's episode, I share insights and perspective from a former ServeWell Academy graduate who went on to attend Vanderbilt University on a Marine Option Navy ROTC scholarship. He is wrapping up his freshman year and he had many things to report - some good, some not so good. If your son or daughter is considering ROTC, please give this episode a listen.

In today's episode, I review why the service academies care so much about: SAT/ACT GPA Rigor of coursework Why did all the service academies continue to require standardized test scores when nearly every other college went "test optional" during COVID?

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 and one thi...

In today's episode, I discuss three common college/career pathways and how they may impact your child's road to adulthood: Ivy League schools Non-Ivy League schools Service academies & ROTC Which way is your child leaning?

In today's episode, I discuss the uniqueness of the 6 state maritime academies: Cal Poly Maritime Academy Great Lakes Maritime Academy Maine Maritime Academy Massachusetts Maritime Academy SUNY Maritime Academy Texas A&M Maritime Academy What are they? How are they different? What is their value proposition?

In today's episode, I discuss how to ensure that your child secures outstanding letters of recommendation. Unfortunately, a lot of students take this part of the process lightly. They think the teacher is the one who has to do all the work. They just sit back and make sure the LORs are submitted in a timely fashion. I don't think so. There's is a lot of prep work required to make sure your teacher...

In today's episode, I discuss different ways individuals can become commissioned officers in the U.S. military. Service Academies ROTC Officer Candidate School (OCS) Senior Military Academies (ROTC) Direct Commissions Enlisted to Officer programs CDO/CWO Field promotions There are a few more pathways that are even more uncommon. Learn more about this process in today's episode.

In today's episode, I discuss how AI will impact 4 cohorts: recent college graduates college students high school students middle school students I will also opine on how AI might affect students who choose to attend a service academy or ROTC program. Do you have a child in one of these cohorts? How will they fare?

In today's episode, I discuss what you should expect from your school's guidance counselor.  Extracurricular activity audit? Suggestions for leadership roles? Summer strategy and planning? College essay brainstorming? Timelines for service academy and ROTC interviews? Advice for physical fitness tests? The level of support may vary based on what type of school your child attends (e.g. private...

In today's episode, I wrestle with the tension between sticking to the old playbook (e.g. traditional college) vs. doing something more non-traditional (e.g. service academies/ROTC) in light of the AI revolution that is upon us. I will share my thoughts on how a service academy experience may be the best antidote for the uncertainty that will come with the wave of AI innovation, disruption, and ch...

In today's episode, I compare various activities/experiences at traditional colleges versus service academies. dorm life social life academics job placement finances adversity shared mission leadership Which path suits your son or daughter best?

In today's episode, I discuss the importance of the SAT (especially the math section) for students interested in service academies and ROTC scholarships. In a perfect world, your child will be at least one grade-level ahead in math by the time they enter high school. This will allow them to take the SAT at the very beginning of 11th grade. A 7th-grade math placement test is often what determines w...

In today's episode, I walk through how midshipmen at the Naval Academy choose the ship they will serve on upon graduation. Note : Not every midshipman will be assigned to a ship. Only midshipman who are drafted into the Surface Warfare Officer (SWO) community take part in this ceremony (about 250 of the 1,200 graduates). The other service academies have similar traditions and protocols. What you l...

In today's episode, I go through a list of leadership opportunities that may be worth pursuing to beef-up your leadership credentials. school-based sports-based JROTC-based Summer-based Community service-based DIY-based For each of these experiences, the selection board will consider: (1) scope, (2) responsibility, (3) sustained commitment, (4) initiative, and (5) progression.

In today's episode, I compare what it takes to secure a DI athletic scholarship compared to a military scholarship (e.g. service academy or ROTC). what are the odds? what are the risks? How do you improve your chances? Understanding the pros and cons of each pathway may help your child make one of the most consequential decisions in their lives.

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) How will different...

In today's episode, I describe how service academies and ROTC scholarship opportunities solve for today's teenagers' 3 biggest fears: How will I pay for college? How will I find a job? How will I afford a home? Have a son or daughter who is thinking about these questions? Give this episode a serious listen.

In today's episode, I assume the role of a 15, 16, or 17-yr-old high school student who is interested in the service academies or ROTC. In the past, not much was expected of these aspiring midshipmen and cadets.  Most had a very superficial understanding of what they were getting themselves into and there wasn't a clear path to figuring these things out.  Those days are over.  In th...