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.).
This is a development with far-reaching implications that you should be aware of.
Please listen to this episode to get a perspective on how things might go down.
Follow us:
PrepWell 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 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:
The test-optional party is over. Learn how to deal with the hangover.
Follow us:
PrepWell 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 this episode, I cast doubt on the reasons many students give as to why they got accepted to [enter highly-selective college name].
In this case, Harvard.
There are many TikTok and Instagram videos that capture admitted Harvard students' opinions on how they got admitted.
I deconstruct their answers and discuss why I think they are wrong.
These videos are not particularly helpful, and sometimes give denied (or prospective) students the wrong impression.
Follow us:
PrepWell 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 this episode, I sit down with a straight-A student (Julius) and ask him how he plans to study for his upcoming AP US History exam.
His 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, SAT, ACT, or IB exam, do not miss this episode.
Follow us:
PrepWell 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 this episode, I discuss Harvard's recent announcement that students whose families make under $200K/yr will go for free.
Too good to be true?
Maybe.
And how might this policy impact financial aid (or admissions) decisions at similar schools?
Follow us:
PrepWell 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 this episode, we bid farewell to the temporary admissions loopholes that have plagued college admissions since COVID.
Most experts now agree that the "experiment" failed.
I have been suggesting (aka warning) for years that objectives measures will soon return to the admissions process.
That day has arrived.
This episode aims to give students (and parents) fair warning that the gig is up.
Students can no longer hide behind "test-optional" policies.
Students can no longer skip AP exams.
Students can no longer rely on DEI-driven admissions.
Students can no longer count on a high GPA to move the needle.
Learn about how this sea change might affect your child's college admissions strategy and why it matters.
Follow us:
PrepWell 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 this episode, I offer suggestions on how to come up with unique, DIY, extracurricular activities that:
Instead, create an activity that matches your specific interests, that you're in charge of, and that you make happen.
These are the types of ECAs that colleges get excited about - and for good reason.
Follow us:
PrepWell 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 this episode, I focus on the importance of reading and how we can help our children become lifelong readers.
Enter: Reading Teams.
Have you ever heard of competitive, school-sponsored Reading Teams?
Me either.
Learn about this unique activity and how you might leverage it for your child's future.
Follow us:
PrepWell 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.
One of the most challenging decisions for high school student-athletes (and their parents) is whether or not rely on sports as the primary lever to get into a desirable college. In this episode, we dig into three different types of athletes, and how they should consider their options:
If you and your child are trying to decide how much energy to put into sports, please tune in to this week’s episode.
Follow us:
PrepWell 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 this episode, I address a common question from parents interested in setting up a college admissions consulting call.
The question is:
"Who should be in the meeting(s)?"
I walk through a few different scenarios and provide guidance on when a meeting would be most helpful, who should attend and why, and what are some creative ways around the conventional wisdom.
If you plan to schedule a consulting call for your son or daughter, with me or some other college admissions counselor, I recommend you give this episode a listen.
Follow us:
PrepWell 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 this episode, I reveal the most clever college admissions essay prompt I have ever seen.
It's a question that attempts to stop students from writing a terrible essay before they have a chance to do so.
You may remember a similar premise in the 2002 Tom Cruise movie "Minority Report", where a pre-cog would have a vision of a future crime, triggering the dispatch of a special unit police officer to intervene before it happens.
This is exactly what this question does.
It forces students to scrap the generic essay that they were about to write, and replace it with something better.
Please listen to this episode to see how they pull off this feat.
Follow us:
PrepWell 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.
As parents and educators, one of our primary goals is to help our children (or students) reach “escape velocity”.
Escape velocity is the point at which your child has accumulated enough smarts, tools, relationships, wherewithal, and experience, to forge their own way in the world.
In this episode, I review the best way to put your child on that path.
Follow us:
PrepWell 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 this episode, I discuss the personal trait that makes "college choice" nearly irrelevant.
With few exceptions, if you possess this particular trait, obsessing over whether you get into College A versus College B may be a big waste of time.
This superpower is free, accessible 24/7/365, and cannot be taken away from you.
Tap in...
Follow us:
PrepWell 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 this episode, I discuss the latest and greatest developments when it comes to standardized tests:
If you haven't been paying close attention to all of the twists and turns, you may not be up-to-speed on what matters these days. Listen to this episode to find out.
Follow us:
PrepWell 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 this episode, I address a common issue among teenagers (that sometimes grows into a concern if it's not addressed in a timely fashion). That is, students who claim that they have no idea what they are interested in, no clue what they want to major in, or what field of work they might enjoy. They are lost.
I walk through how I talk to teenagers about this issue, why it exists, and how to help them find a path forward.
If you have a child in middle school or high school who has not yet found a passion, focus, or inspiration, give this episode a listen.
Follow us:
PrepWell 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 this episode, I highlight some of the craziest storylines of 2024 and how they affected college admissions.
I break the chaos into three buckets:
If you are trying to figure out where the unprecedented changes in our society, culture, and political landscape intersected with college admissions, give this episode a listen.
Follow us:
PrepWell 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 this episode, I review the Top 10 reasons why your child probably didn't get into their early action or early decision school - especially if it was highly-selective.
If you have a child who was rejected from their dream school, this might give you some clues as to why it happened.
If you have younger children (8th - 11th grade), this will provide an early-warning system as to what lies ahead.
Some of the Top 10 reasons include:
Use this episode as a cautionary tale as well as a lesson for how to respond to different outcomes.
Follow us:
PrepWell 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 this episode, I address the following common question:
Dear Phil,
My son/daughter was invited to a National Student Leadership Conference this summer. The session he/she wants to attend is being held on [enter name of prestigious sounding college's] campus. It looks really cool. Do you think it would be worth it for him/her to go, and how much do you think it will help him/her in the college admissions process?
If your child has received something similar, give this episode a listen.
Follow us:
PrepWell 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 this episode, I make the case that prestige, ranking, and name recognition may not be the best predictors of a successful college experience.
Sometimes, attending a "normal college" might be the best call.
If you are a student (or parent) who is obsessing about the chances of being admitted to the highest-ranking college possible, this episode may give you permission to exhale.
Follow us:
PrepWell 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.
If you had/have/will soon have a teenager who needs to learn how to drive, this episode should resonate with you.
In this episode, I explain why I love teaching my teenage son how to drive:
Follow us:
PrepWell 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.
