ServeWell Podcast

Junior year will be your child’s most challenging “academic” year. Beyond academics, they will also face high expectations, leadership demands, standardized tests, AP exams, and extracurricular commitments. One way for your child to mitigate these pressures is to familiarize themselves with the content of their most challenging classes ahead of time (i.e. during the summer). Which will be there mo...

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. How do SAs and ROTC treat SAT/ACT? When should I take the SAT/ACT? Why so many back-up da...

In this episode, I read through a bunch of questions that I've collected over the last few weeks from social media, 1-on-1 calls, private coaching calls, DMs, etc. My answers are short, to-the-point, and, I hope, insightful. For all of you die-hard ServeWellers out there, I challenge you to try to answer all of these questions correctly before I give the answer. Many of these questions require lon...

In this week's episode, I attempt to reconcile two common (but diametrically opposed) pieces of advice often given to college graduates. 1. Save as much money as you can in your twenties in order to maximize the magic of compounding 2. Go to the best college you can get into, even if it means going into $150,000 in debt Come along as I try to untangle this web of contradictions.  

Summer is the perfect time to prepare for the service academy and ROTC application 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 wit...

In today's episode, I review the problems plaguing the Air Force ROTC programs. - fewer scholarships - rise of non-scholarshipped candidates - cancellation of scholarships halfway through college - questionable evaluation criteria

In this week's episode, I walk through 25 reasons to consider ROTC scholarships as one of your college pathways. 1. you want structure and discipline, but not that much structure and discipline 2. you would prefer more academic flexibility 3. you would prefer a more traditional college experience 4. you know you have no chance of getting into your dream college without an ROTC scholarship 5. you c...

In this episode, in 19 minutes, I rip through 25 reasons to consider applying to a service academy. you want to be challenged you love STEM you have no money you are athletic you want to serve your country you don't want to sweat your grades you crave adventure you thrive with structure you are a girl on a mission you don't want to be a frat bro you want international experience you want to fly yo...

By sophomore year, your child should be well on their way to achieving certain milestones. Listen to this episode to learn what should be happening before the end of sophomore year. Also, if you have a child who is close to getting their driver's license, listen to my cautionary tale of joy and sorrow.

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 service academies and ROTC? • How will it affect wealthy students? • How will it affect less wealthy students? • How will it affect admissions practic...

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: - how to get a...

In this episode, I try to lay out a timeline for when it becomes too late to become a viable candidate for a service academy or ROTC scholarship. There is no definitive answer, but there are some guidelines to consider. See where your child stands on this continuum.

In this episode, I sit down with a student (Julius) and ask him how he plans to study for his upcoming AP US History exam. Their 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 AP exam, S...

In this episode, I reveal the colleges that I believe are worth $100K per year. It's a short list, and one that will no doubt raise a lot of questions. I also address where service academies and ROTC programs fit into the big scheme of things.

There's more to attending a service academy or ROTC program than just: (1) avoiding onerous student loan debt, (2) learning an actual skill, (3) leadership training, (4) international travel, (5) discipline, (6) an engaged alumni network. On the whole, a SA and/or ROTC experience will prepare students for life. How do these paths differ from a traditional college path? Listen to this episode to fi...

In this episode, I discuss one of the most frustrating arguments you will hear from your teenager: "everyone else is doing it" (aka EEIDI) - Why can't I stay out until 2am...EEIDI? - Why can't I use ChatGPT to write my paper...EEIDI? - Why can't I skip my AP Exams...EEIDI? - Why can't I sleep with my phone...EEIDI? - Why can't I ride on the back of an ebike without a helmet...EEIDI? How do we, as...

In this episode, I discuss the many Air Force ROTC options available to high school and current college students, including: 4-yr, full tuition scholarships 4-yr, partial tuition scholarships 3-yr scholarships 2-yr scholarships If you are a high school student excelling in sports, academics, and leadership, consider attending a traditional college on a full or partial Air Force ROTC scholarship. L...

With a new administration in the White House and renewed energy at the Department of Defense, American patriotism is surging. How will this affect those interested in the service academies and ROTC scholarships?

In today's episode (14 mins), I talk about military prep schools. USNA: Naval Academy Preparatory School (NAPS) USMA: West Point Prep USAFA: The Prep School USCGA: Coast Guard Academy Scholar Program   USMMA: Sponsored Preparatory School Program What is the mission of these schools? Is this a good thing or a bad thing? What should your child expect if they sign on?

In this episode, I dive into one of the most common reasons high school students give for not considering service academies and ROTC programs. "I don't want to be tied down to a 5-yr commitment after college. I want to be able to do whatever I want". We discuss the realities of what life is really like after college if you have no plan of action. Spoiler alert: It ain't pretty.

In this crossover episode, I discuss the concept of "escape velocity". Escape velocity is the point at which your child has accumulated enough smarts, skills, tools, relationships, wherewithal, and experience, to forge their own way in the world. Learn the steps that will help you guide your child to this ultimate demonstration of freedom and competence.

In this week's episode, we discuss the long-established training concept known as "purposeful overload". Some of what you see on TV and the movies is true. The service academies and ROTC programs have their share of yelling, screaming, and unrealistic expectations. What's the point of this practice and how does it help?

In this episode, I cover 4 critical questions that your child needs to answer during high school. Their answers to these questions will dictate their trajectory in college and beyond. Do I care about academics? Do I want to play sports in college? What type of social life do I want? What type of college experience do I want? Each of these questions needs to be answered by a particular time in high...

In today's episode, I urge families to re-think what it means to find a "best-fit" college. In my experience, when students, parents, and counselors talk about "fit", they really mean "comfort". Is this the best way to approach the college search? Are you looking for a college experience that is comfortable -- or challenging?

Today's episode focuses on the importance of your GPA. Not your high school GPA, but your college GPA. How much does your college GPA matter based on whether you attend a service academy, ROTC program, or traditional college.