PrepWell Podcast with Phil Black
by Phil Black
Latest episode
Ep. 343 | Why Ivies Don’t Value Well-rounded Students
Ep. 343 | Why Ivies Don’t Value Well-rounded Students
About this podcast
The PrepWell Podcast helps parents prepare their children for the admissions process for highly-selective college programs like the Ivy League, military service academies (e.g. USNA and West Point), ROTC and athletic scholarships.
Episodes
The newest 50 of 365 episodes
- Ep. 343 | Why Ivies Don’t Value Well-rounded Students · 11 minIn this week's podcast, I lay out why it's so difficult for well-rounded students to get in to Ivy League schools. If your child is... • smart (4.1 GPA) • committed to rigor…
- Ep. 342 | The Real Cost of Student Loan Debt · 14 minIn this week's podcast, I detail a conversation I had with one of my sons who is living at home after graduating from college 2 years ago. We discuss the realities of living…
- Ep. 341 | The Talk · 14 minIn this week's podcast, I suggest that every parent has "the talk" with their child during their sophomore year (at the latest). "The Talk" refers to college admissions. It used…
- Ep. 340 | Why Athletes Get Preferential Treatment During Hiring · 14 minIn this week's podcast, I discuss why it seems that employers favor college athletes over non-athletes in the hiring process. This differential appears to be gaining steam based…
- Ep. 339 | What Is NCSA and Should I Engage With Them? · 17 minIn this week's podcast, I talk about a college sports recruiting company known as NCSA. NCSA is short for Next College Student Athlete. If you have a child who plays a sport, at…
- Ep. 338 | Should I Submit My SAT/ACT Score? · 12 minIn 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…
- Ep. 337 | Do College Majors Matter Anymore? · 12 minIn 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…
- Ep. 336 | The Benefits of Applying “Early Action" · 11 minIn 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…
- Ep. 335 | Students Can No Longer Sleep-walk Through College · 21 minIn 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…
- Ep. 334 | Should My Child Disclose Their AP Exam Scores? · 18 minIn 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…
- Ep. 333 | The Importance Of Financial Literacy · 28 minIn 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…
- Ep. 332 | How To Re-condition The Teenage Brain After Summer Break · 13 minIn 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…
- Ep. 331 | 5 Biggest Nothing-Burger Activities · 14 minIn 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…
- Ep. 330 | How To Build A Target List · 11 minIn 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…
- Ep. 237 Revisited | My Daughter Will Get Into The Ivies, Right? · 23 minIn 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…
- Ep. 329 | Why The Angst? · 13 minIn today's episode, I try to explain why young adults (including teenagers) are feeling angst these days. Follow us: • Enroll in PrepWell Academy • Follow on…
- Ep. 328 | Is Paying For An SAT Tutor Worth It? · 17 minIs paying for an SAT or ACT tutor worth it? Follow us: • Enroll in PrepWell Academy • Follow on Instagram • Follow on Facebook • Follow me…
- Ep. 327 | 3 Habits Teenagers Must Adopt Today · 10 minIn 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…
- Ep. 326 | Should Work-life Balance Be A Priority? · 8 minIn 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? •…
- Ep. 236 Revisited | The Death of Reading · 18 minIn 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…
- Ep. 325 | TED Talk Roulette · 9 minIn 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…
- Ep. 324 | Your Major Is Not Your Destiny · 9 minIn today's episode, I dispel a myth circulating around the internet suggesting that your college major is the most important factor in determining your future earning potential…
- Ep. 323 | Don’t Be Fooled By The Numbers · 10 minIn today’s episode, I reveal a sneaky accounting trick that some colleges use to avoid entering the $100K/yr club. Please give this episode a listen if your child is considering…
- Ep. 322 | The New Rules of College Admissions · 12 minIn today's episode, I lay out the latest developments in the college admissions process. • how to define "best" • 160,000+ applications • all applications look the same • no…
- Ep. 321 | The New PrepWell Academy Year Kicks-off Tomorrow · 10 minIn today's episode, I welcome all PrepWellers into their new cohorts. As of tomorrow (June 1st), all members will be migrated to the next year. • 8th-graders (2030) will become…
- Ep. 320 | Cheating at Princeton? · 10 minIn today's episode, I comment on Princeton's recent policy change when it comes to test administration. Princeton students will no longer be allowed to take exams without…
- Ep. 319 | How To Break Your Child’s Phone Addiction · 13 minIn today's episode, I offer some suggestions on how to curb (or break) your child's phone addiction. If you have a 12-16 year old child who is using their phone more than you…
- Ep. 318 | How The NCAA New Eligibility Proposal May Impact Youth Sports · 10 minIn today's episode, I review the new model proposed by the NCAA for college athlete eligibility (Division I). If you have a child who may want to play sports in college, this is…
- Ep. 317 | What Is Your Child’s #1 Priority? · 16 minIn 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…
- Ep. 316 | How College Dictates Your Child’s Launch Plans · 9 minIn today's episode, I discuss 3 broad college/career/adulting pathways: • Ivy League school • Non-Ivy League school • Service academy or ROTC Which way is your child leaning?…
- Ep. 315 | Don't Get Stuck In The Middle · 6 minIn today's episode, I discuss how the future seems to favor those who take one of two extreme positions. And they disfavor people who hedge their bets and play it down the…
- Ep. 314 | How To Secure Extraordinary Letters Of Recommendation · 13 minIn today's episode, I review how your child can secure extraordinary letters of recommendation from their teachers. Unfortunately, some students take this part of the application…
- Ep. 313 | There Are Bigger Fish To Fry · 11 minIn today's episode, I propose that the stress your child may be feeling about: (1) not getting into his/her dream school, or (2) the agonizing decision as to whether to attend…
- Ep. 312 | How Will AI Impact These 4 Cohorts? · 17 minIn today's episode, I discuss the impact of AI across 4 cohorts: • recent college graduates • college students • high school students • middle school students Some students will…
- Ep. 311 | What To Expect From Your Child's Guidance Counselor · 16 minIn today's episode, I discuss what you should expect from your school's guidance counselor. • Extracurricular activity audits? • Summer strategy and planning? • Course…
- Ep. 310 | What Impact Will AI Have On College Graduates? · 20 minIn today's episode, I wrestle with the tension between sticking to the old playbook (e.g. traditional college track) and throwing caution to the wind. How will AI impact…
- Ep. 309 | What To Do If Your Child Lacks a "Passion" · 13 minIn today's episode, I dive into one of the most frustrating parts of parenting a teenager. What to do if they are... • bright • hardworking • dedicated • motivated but they lack…
- Ep. 308 | When Is It Okay To Spend $400K On College? · 13 minIn today's episode, I propose the only 5 cases which justify spending $400K on college. • you're rich • you're poor • your child has a $400K trust fund • your child was born to…
- Ep. 307 | Case Study: Northwestern vs. UIUC? · 14 minIn today's episode, I walk through a thought experiment that considers the following choice: • attend Northwestern University @ $100K/year • or attend UIUC @ $50K/year • Budget…
- Ep. 306 | The Hidden Challenge Of Early College Life · 15 minIn today's episode, I discuss an issue that doesn't get a lot of air-time. • Loneliness Of the many challenges that face new college students, loneliness is one that can fly…
- Ep. 305 | Have DI Scholarships Lost Their Luster? · 19 minIn today's episode, I review some inconvenient truths about the state of DI athletic scholarships. • What has changed? • Did the recent NCAA ruling help or hurt? What are the…
- Ep. 304 | How Do College Campus Cultures Shape Your Child · 19 minIn 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 •…
- Ep. 303 | Necessary Skills In An AI World · 13 minIn today's episode, I review a list of skills that college graduates should develop to become competitive in an AI world. Being a "problem-solver" is no longer one of them…
- Ep. 302 | ChatGPT = No More Excuses · 24 minIn today's episode, I assume the role of a typical 17-yr old who claims he's interested in majoring in "business". Until today, it would be commonplace for that student to have a…
- Ep. 301 | The Death Of A Computer Science Degree · 11 min10 years ago, a Computer Science degree was to-die-for. Today, it’s dead. Find out how a degree in Computer Science has fallen out of favor so quickly. Learn how to leverage a…
- Ep. 255 Revisited | What If I’m Not Interested In Anything · 14 minIn 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…
- Ep. 300 | Seeking Clarity Amidst The Chaos · 15 minIn today's podcast (our 300th episode), I reveal something positive that comes out of the recent chaos engulfing college admissions: • super-competitive • skyrocketing costs •…
- Ep. 299 | Why Is College So Expensive? · 17 minIn today's episode, I break down some of the reasons that college has become so expensive. • the "original sin" • open the floodgates • demand up, supply even • government…
- Ep. 298 | Why Go To College? · 18 minA lot has changed in the last 30-40 years when it comes to higher education. Are our assumptions about the value of a college degree still valid? What has changed? • The…
- Ep. 97 Revisited | The Magic (Or Miscue) Of Sophomore Year · 13 minIn this episode, I discuss one of the biggest "ah-ha" moments I've had over the course of the last 10 years of teaching and advising students and families about the college…
