Advertise on podcast: PrepWell Podcast with Phil Black

In this week's podcast, I discuss whether or not to submit an SAT/ACT score. This decision is not as straightforward as one might think. It goes deeper than "as long as it's in the middle 50% or better bracket". Learn the nuances surrounding this decision before you make the final decision.  Follow us: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Enroll in PrepWell Academy⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Follow on Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Follow on Facebook⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Follow me on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ or ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Facebook⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Give us a reviewShare this episode with a friendJoin our mailing list (by opting in on the homepage or in this article)⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Enroll⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ your 9th or 10th grader in the programPrepWell Academy's Founder, ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Phil Black⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, has spent a lifetime cracking the code on the world's most competitive programs: Yale University, Harvard Business School, Navy SEALs, Goldman Sachs, Entrepreneurship, Shark Tank (2X), etc.

In this week's podcast, I share a story about my son and a small group of "Fellows" working toward getting a job at Palantir.  The scenario reveals a lot about what's happening in the job market these days and how your college major may/may not be as important as it used to be.  Follow us: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Enroll in PrepWell Academy⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Follow on Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Follow on Facebook⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Follow me on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ or ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Facebook⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Give us a reviewShare this episode with a friendJoin our mailing list (by opting in on the homepage or in this article)⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Enroll⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ your 9th or 10th grader in the programPrepWell Academy's Founder, ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Phil Black⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, has spent a lifetime cracking the code on the world's most competitive programs: Yale University, Harvard Business School, Navy SEALs, Goldman Sachs, Entrepreneurship, Shark Tank (2X), etc.

In this week's podcast, I make a strong push for students to submit their applications in the Early Action round (where applicable).  There are a range of benefits to support this recommendation:  Admissions officers more alertOpticsNo obligationNegotiation leverageMomentumEA is the new RDMental reliefFewer supplemental essaysHeat checkIf your child has their ducks in a row, and they're making progress with their applications, encourage them to apply to as many "EA" schools as possiblese review these factors.  Follow us: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Enroll in PrepWell Academy⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Follow on Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Follow on Facebook⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Follow me on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ or ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Facebook⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Give us a reviewShare this episode with a friendJoin our mailing list (by opting in on the homepage or in this article)⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Enroll⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ your 9th or 10th grader in the programPrepWell Academy's Founder, ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Phil Black⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, has spent a lifetime cracking the code on the world's most competitive programs: Yale University, Harvard Business School, Navy SEALs, Goldman Sachs, Entrepreneurship, Shark Tank (2X), etc.

In this week's podcast, I argue that students can no longer afford to sleep-walk their way through college.  It is no longer a 4-yr, extended vacation, built around fun, frivolity, promiscuity, and beer.  Why the sudden change? cost of attendancebroken public trustemployment landscapebehavioral minefieldcurriculumopportunities to cheatdistractionsbeing left behindcampus unrestmajor choiceimposter syndromeBefore your child goes off to college, please review these factors.  Follow us: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Enroll in PrepWell Academy⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Follow on Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Follow on Facebook⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Follow me on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ or ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Facebook⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Give us a reviewShare this episode with a friendJoin our mailing list (by opting in on the homepage or in this article)⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Enroll⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ your 9th or 10th grader in the programPrepWell Academy's Founder, ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Phil Black⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, has spent a lifetime cracking the code on the world's most competitive programs: Yale University, Harvard Business School, Navy SEALs, Goldman Sachs, Entrepreneurship, Shark Tank (2X), etc.

In this week's podcast, I recommend whether to disclose your AP Exam scores in your college application.  This episode is important for seniors who are filling out their college applications as we speak as well as for sophomores/juniors who are wondering how important it is to pay attention in their AP classes.  Follow us: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Enroll in PrepWell Academy⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Follow on Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Follow on Facebook⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Follow me on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ or ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Facebook⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Give us a reviewShare this episode with a friendJoin our mailing list (by opting in on the homepage or in this article)⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Enroll⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ your 9th or 10th grader in the programPrepWell Academy's Founder, ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Phil Black⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, has spent a lifetime cracking the code on the world's most competitive programs: Yale University, Harvard Business School, Navy SEALs, Goldman Sachs, Entrepreneurship, Shark Tank (2X), etc.

In this week's podcast, I encourage students to open up an individual brokerage account and a ROTH IRA.  I walked them through every step of the process.  Topics covered include: Why invest early? What to invest in?What is a brokerage account?What is a Roth IRA?What is compounding interest?Financial literacy is at an all-time low in this country. It's important that our children start to get more familiar with the language of money, investing, and returns.  This episode is a great start...  Follow us: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Enroll in PrepWell Academy⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Follow on Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Follow on Facebook⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Follow me on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ or ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Facebook⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Give us a reviewShare this episode with a friendJoin our mailing list (by opting in on the homepage or in this article)⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Enroll⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ your 9th or 10th grader in the programPrepWell Academy's Founder, ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Phil Black⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, has spent a lifetime cracking the code on the world's most competitive programs: Yale University, Harvard Business School, Navy SEALs, Goldman Sachs, Entrepreneurship, Shark Tank (2X), etc.

In this week's podcast, I issue a stern warning for teenagers who do not prepare ahead of time for their return to high school.  If their summer was dominated by endless scrolling, swiping, and video-watching, their attention span has likely withered away to nothing.  Learn how to avoid the crash-out that will occur if they try to show up to school with no transition plan. Follow us: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Enroll in PrepWell Academy⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Follow on Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Follow on Facebook⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Follow me on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ or ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Facebook⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Give us a reviewShare this episode with a friendJoin our mailing list (by opting in on the homepage or in this article)⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Enroll⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ your 9th or 10th grader in the programPrepWell Academy's Founder, ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Phil Black⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, has spent a lifetime cracking the code on the world's most competitive programs: Yale University, Harvard Business School, Navy SEALs, Goldman Sachs, Entrepreneurship, Shark Tank (2X), etc.

In this week's podcast, I review the 5 biggest nothing-burger extracurricular activities that you should not include in your college application - unless you have no choice. You might be surprised by the list.  Even though some of the activities/organizations sound legitimate, more often than not, they are a waste of time, energy, and money.  Don't get caught chasing the wrong car. . Follow us: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Enroll in PrepWell Academy⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Follow on Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Follow on Facebook⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Follow me on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ or ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Facebook⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Give us a reviewShare this episode with a friendJoin our mailing list (by opting in on the homepage or in this article)⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Enroll⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ your 9th or 10th grader in the programPrepWell Academy's Founder, ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Phil Black⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, has spent a lifetime cracking the code on the world's most competitive programs: Yale University, Harvard Business School, Navy SEALs, Goldman Sachs, Entrepreneurship, Shark Tank (2X), etc.

In this week's podcast, I review one of the most challenging (but important) parts of the college admissions process. Building a target list of colleges This entails narrowing down a list of 4,000+ colleges to a manageable list of 10-14 colleges that meet all of your child's preferences, such as: big school, small school, medium schoollocationurban, suburban, ruralmajorsselectivityresidential lifeet ceteraThe list of 10-14 target colleges also needs to reflect an appropriate mix of reach, match, and likely schools.In today's episode, I zero-in on one strategy that may help unlock colleges that might be hiding from consideration. Follow us: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Enroll in PrepWell Academy⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Follow on Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Follow on Facebook⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Follow me on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ or ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Facebook⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Give us a reviewShare this episode with a friendJoin our mailing list (by opting in on the homepage or in this article)⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Enroll⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ your 9th or 10th grader in the programPrepWell Academy's Founder, ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Phil Black⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, has spent a lifetime cracking the code on the world's most competitive programs: Yale University, Harvard Business School, Navy SEALs, Goldman Sachs, Entrepreneurship, Shark Tank (2X), etc.

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 classesself-motivated2 varsity sportsleader in multiple school clubspart-time jobactive in the community adored by her teachersstarted researching colleges alreadywants to major in psychologyIf so, listen to this episode to see where this type of student stacks up in the quest to get into the Ivies. Follow us: Enroll in PrepWell AcademyFollow on InstagramFollow on FacebookFollow me on Instagram or FacebookGive us a reviewShare this episode with a friendJoin our mailing list (by opting in on the homepage or in this article)Enroll your 9th or 10th grader in the programPrepWell Academy's Founder, Phil Black, has spent a lifetime cracking the code on the world's most competitive programs: Yale University, Harvard Business School, Navy SEALs, Goldman Sachs, Entrepreneurship, Shark Tank (2X), etc. Inside PrepWell Academy, Black teaches students everything they need to know about the college admissions process in a series of expertly-timed, 3-5-minute, weekly training videos starting in 9th grade and continuing through 12th grade [Note: this program can only be joined in 9th or 10th grade]. My specialties include military service academies, ROTC scholarships, Ivy League, and student-athletes.

In today's episode, I try to explain why young adults (including teenagers) are feeling angst these days.  Follow us: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Enroll in PrepWell Academy⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Follow on Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Follow on Facebook⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Follow me on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ or ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Facebook⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Give us a reviewShare this episode with a friendJoin our mailing list (by opting in on the homepage or in this article)⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Enroll⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ your 9th or 10th grader in the programPrepWell Academy's Founder, ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Phil Black⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, has spent a lifetime cracking the code on the world's most competitive programs: Yale University, Harvard Business School, Navy SEALs, Goldman Sachs, Entrepreneurship, Shark Tank (2X), etc.

Is paying for an SAT or ACT tutor worth it? Follow us: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Enroll in PrepWell Academy⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Follow on Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Follow on Facebook⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Follow me on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ or ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Facebook⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Give us a reviewShare this episode with a friendJoin our mailing list (by opting in on the homepage or in this article)⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Enroll⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ your 9th or 10th grader in the programPrepWell Academy's Founder, ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Phil Black⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, has spent a lifetime cracking the code on the world's most competitive programs: Yale University, Harvard Business School, Navy SEALs, Goldman Sachs, Entrepreneurship, Shark Tank (2X), etc.

In today's episode, I discuss a trend I have been witnessing over the last few years. The trend is getting worse and I hope this episode will highlight the issues. I meet with students every week for 1-on-1 consulting sessions (some via Zoom and some in-person). I have identified three basic habits that students should adopt to make these sessions more productive and valuable.  Give this episode a listen and let me know if you're seeing similar shortcomings in these areas.  Follow us: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Enroll in PrepWell Academy⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Follow on Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Follow on Facebook⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Follow me on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ or ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Facebook⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Give us a reviewShare this episode with a friendJoin our mailing list (by opting in on the homepage or in this article)⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Enroll⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ your 9th or 10th grader in the programPrepWell Academy's Founder, ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Phil Black⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, has spent a lifetime cracking the code on the world's most competitive programs: Yale University, Harvard Business School, Navy SEALs, Goldman Sachs, Entrepreneurship, Shark Tank (2X), etc.

In today's episode, I argue that "work-life balance" is not a top priority for college graduates. What are the top priorities? Why doesn't work-life balance make the cut?How to manage expectations of a new generationFollow us: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Enroll in PrepWell Academy⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Follow on Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Follow on Facebook⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Follow me on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ or ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Facebook⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Give us a reviewShare this episode with a friendJoin our mailing list (by opting in on the homepage or in this article)⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Enroll⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ your 9th or 10th grader in the programPrepWell Academy's Founder, ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Phil Black⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, has spent a lifetime cracking the code on the world's most competitive programs: Yale University, Harvard Business School, Navy SEALs, Goldman Sachs, Entrepreneurship, Shark Tank (2X), etc.

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 categories.  Learn the strategies and tactics I've used to try to keep my sons out of Stage 2 and 3. Some successful, most unsuccessful. Don't procrastinate in listening to this episode. For many of us, the window of opportunity to influence this relationship is closing quickly. Follow us: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Enroll in PrepWell Academy⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Follow on Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Follow on Facebook⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Follow me on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ or ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Facebook⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Give us a reviewShare this episode with a friendJoin our mailing list (by opting in on the homepage or in this article)⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Enroll⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ your 9th or 10th grader in the programPrepWell Academy's Founder, ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Phil Black⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, has spent a lifetime cracking the code on the world's most competitive programs: Yale University, Harvard Business School, Navy SEALs, Goldman Sachs, Entrepreneurship, Shark Tank (2X), etc.