PrepWell Podcast with Phil Black

Phil Black
PrepWell Podcast with Phil Black

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.

  1. 5D AGO

    Ep. 268 | The SAT & ACT Are Back!

    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 baseline scorewhen to start studyinghow to choose between the testsbest practice for preparationhow to pick a target score  The test-optional party is over. Learn how to deal with the hangover. 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.

    20 min
  2. APR 5

    Ep. 267 | Don’t Believe Them

    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: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠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.

    12 min
  3. MAR 30

    Ep. 266 | How Julius Prepares For An AP Exam (Case Study)

    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: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠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.

    27 min
  4. MAR 23

    Ep. 265 | Harvard Is Free If Income $200K

    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: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠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.

    11 min
  5. MAR 14

    Ep. 264 | The Gig Is Up

    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. SAT and ACT scores are backDEI-driven decisions are outAP Exams scores soon to be requiredGPAs are all but ignoredThis 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: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠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.

    13 min
  6. MAR 7

    Ep. 263 | How To Create Unique, DIY, Extracurricular Activities

    In this episode, I offer suggestions on how to come up with unique, DIY, extracurricular activities that: you don't have to search for on the internetyou don't have to apply for months ahead of time you don't have to wait for someone to pick youyou don't have to pay exorbitant travel and lodging feesInstead, 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: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠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.

    14 min
  7. MAR 2

    Ep. 262 | Have You Ever Heard Of A “Reading Team”?

    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: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Enroll in PrepWell Academy⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Follow on Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Follow on Facebook⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Follow me on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ or ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Facebook⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Give us a review Share this episode with a friend Join 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.

    15 min
  8. FEB 23

    Ep. 261 | Should You Go All-in On Sports?

    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: Elite athlete Superior athlete Recreational athleteIf 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: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Enroll in PrepWell Academy⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Follow on Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Follow on Facebook⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Follow me on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ or ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Facebook⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Give us a review Share this episode with a friend Join 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.

    20 min

    Ratings & Reviews

    5
    out of 5
    3 Ratings

    About

    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.

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