Podcast appearances and mentions of phil black

In this episode, Megan is joined by Phil Black of the ServeWell Academy who helps students and families interested in service academies and ROTC scholarships. Find out how this former Navy SEAL Officer with four sons — two at Yale ... Read More » The post 549: Phil Black: How our family saved $1M in college expenses appeared first on The College Prep Podcast.

In this episode, Lisa and Phil discuss:Understanding the unique options available to students of military academies.The diverse majors and career paths that are offered through the service academies.Career paths, both military and civilian, for military academy graduates.Early preparation for success at military service academies. Key Takeaways: If your student is smart, athletic, and/or interested in leadership, keeping their mind open to military service academies or the ROTC can give them more options.Military officers are essentially the managerial layer of the military as an organization. About 15% of personnel fall into this category.While military service academies may seem like the right financial fit, there are more requirements to get in, and there is a five-year commitment upon graduation. The Naval Academy and Air Force Academy are very tech and STEM-focused. The Merchant Marine and Coast Guard academies are more certification-focused. However, these are not the only majors available. Military service academies are not an automatic road to front-line heavy combat.Your student should understand the opportunity costs for attending the academies. They should understand and ask themselves: if you don't get the community that you want, are you going to be okay with it? “There are almost infinite options to be ‘away from combat' if that's what they want to do. If you're a SEAL or you're a Marine or an Army infantry officer, you're electing to do that, you're not being forced to do that.” – Phil BlackAbout Phil Black: Over the past 30 years, Phil Black has built a record of unique accomplishments including: Div I college athlete, Navy SEAL Officer, Goldman Sachs Investment Banker, bootstrap entrepreneur, 2X Shark Tank contestant, firefighter, husband, and father of four sons. He earned a Bachelor's Degree from Yale University and an MBA from Harvard Business School. Over the past 12 years, Phil has helped hundreds of students get into service academies, ROTC programs, and highly-selective traditional colleges. He has two sons who attend Yale on Navy ROTC scholarships, one son at the Naval Academy, and one son still in high school.Episode References:Westpoint Academy: westpoint.edu/academics/majors-and-minorsUS Air Force Academy: academyadmissions.com/why/majorsUS Naval Academy: usna.edu/Academics/Majors-and-Courses/index.phpUS Merchant Marine Academy: usmma.edu/academicsUS Coast Guard Academy: uscga.edu/academics/majors #070 Military Service Academies with Lisa Rielage#091 How ROTC Programs Train Future Officers & Help Pay For College with Lisa Rielage Get Lisa's Free on-demand video: How-to guide for your teen to choose the right major, college, & career...(without painting themselves into a corner, missing crucial deadlines, or risking choices you both regret). flourishcoachingco.com/video Connect with Phil:Website: servewellacademy.com Instagram: instagram.com/servewell_academy YouTube: youtube.com/channel/UCnhprNormPGjq6vRzvmpL4g Connect with Lisa:Website: https://www.flourishcoachingco.com/YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@flourishcoachingcoInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/flourishcoachingco/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/flourish-coaching-co

Many young adults grapple with the decision to either pursue undergraduate education or enter a branch of the U.S. military. Why choose when doing both can pay off in so many different and meaningful ways? Amy and Mike invited college counselor Phil Black to explore answers to the question, “Is ROTC for you?” What are five things you will learn in this episode? What is ROTC and why is it getting so popular? What type of students should consider ROTC? Does an ROTC commitment improve admissions outcomes? How much money do ROTC scholarships offer? What's the commitment like as an ROTC student during and after college? MEET OUR GUEST Phil Black is the creator of PrepWell Academy and ServeWell Academy, an unconventional approach to preparing high school students (and their parents) for the rigors of the college admissions process. His unique program is delivered online and focuses on the early preparation of students (freshman and sophomore year) interested in attending highly-selective colleges (e.g. Ivy League, Stanford, MIT, etc.), military service academies (e.g. Naval Academy, West Point, etc.), and those seeking athletic or ROTC scholarships.  Over the years, Phil has built a record of unique accomplishments including: Division I college athlete, Navy SEAL Officer, Goldman Sachs Investment Banker, bootstrap entrepreneur, 2X Shark Tank contestant, firefighter, husband and father of four sons. He earned a bachelor's degree from Yale University and an MBA from Harvard Business School. Phil has previously appeared on this podcast in episode 162  High School Course Selection and Academic Rigor and for an IEC profile in episode 261 IEC PROFILE: Phil Black. Find Phil at servewellacademy.com. LINKS ROTC Scholarships | U.S. Army Scholarships | U.S. Air Force ROTC Naval Reserve Officer Training (NROTC) | Navy.com Officer candidate school RELATED EPISODES ALL ABOUT THE ROTC SCHOLARSHIP ATTENDING A MILITARY SERVICE ACADEMY APPLYING TO A MILITARY SERVICE ACADEMY ABOUT THIS PODCAST Tests and the Rest is THE college admissions industry podcast. Explore all of our episodes on the show page. ABOUT YOUR HOSTS Mike Bergin is the president of Chariot Learning and founder of TestBright. Amy Seeley is the president of Seeley Test Pros and LEAP. If you're interested in working with Mike and/or Amy for test preparation, training, or consulting, feel free to get in touch through our contact page.  

In this week's podcast, I argue that despite these challenges... switch to test-optional policies de-emphasis on writing violent protests on campuses elevation of DEI above merit  rise of radical antisemitism increase in made-up majors employers turning off recruitment incompetent school presidents rampant plagiarism among top faculty   cancellation of graduation ceremonies racial segregation of dorm rooms students disowning their parents $100K/year college bills ...we have reason to be hopeful.  Find out how I get there.   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 program 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 week's podcast, I discuss a strange phenomenon that I witnessed a few weeks ago. For context, I was asked to give a presentation on "college admissions-related" topics to a group of 30 teenage boys (ages 15-16) -- something I have done hundreds of times over the last 10 years. To kick things off, I asked a series of anodine questions that I thought would ease us into a broader conversation about college, admissions, etc. "How many of you have thought about college?" "How many of you could name 10 colleges off the top of your head?" "Has anyone thought about what they might want to study in college?" Each question elicited the same response: blank stares Why were these questions met with such apparent indifference or apathy?   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 program 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 week's podcast, I discuss whether it makes sense for your child to double-down on sports, or diversify into other areas of interest. There will come a point in time when your child has to answer this fateful question: "Am I committed to becoming a recruited college athlete or not?" Listen to this week's episode to learn when this decision should be made, what happens if it's not, and what should they do if the answer is "no."   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 program 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 week's podcast, I make a pitch for summer school. All four of my sons took classes over the summer (for different reasons) and many motivated PrepWellers have done the same. Listen to this week's episode to learn why summer school has become a "thing". 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 program 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 today's episode, I review the new digital SAT.If you are a parent, or a 9th, 10th, or 11th grader, this is a must-listen.What are the big 4 changes, and how do you set yourself up for success?  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 program 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 today's episode, I confront the cost of today's college education. In fact, I highlight 14 distinct case studies of PrepWellers whom I have worked closely with. Here's what they are paying for college every year: Case Study #1: $100K/yr Case Study #2: $80K/yr Case Study #3: $77K/yr Case Study #4: $70K/yr Case Study #5: $60K/yr Case Study #6: $50K/yr Case Study #7: $45K/yr Case Study #8: $40K/yr Case Study #9: $20K/yr Case Study #10: $2K/yr Case Study #11: $2K/yr Case Study #12: $1K/yr Case Study #13: -$5K/yr (getting paid to attend college) Case Study #14: -$5K/yr (getting paid to attend college) Where will your child fit in this broad range of outcomes? 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 program 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.

Show Notes: In today's episode, I discuss how little time we have left with our children (and how to maximize that time). Statistically, once our child turns 18, 90% of the time we will ultimately spend with him/her - is already spoken for. Translation: Once our child goes to college, it's possible that we will only see them another 60 times (total) over the next 30 years. If you're interested in this topic and making an effort to maximize what time you do have left with your child, give this episode a listen. 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 program 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 want to support the show, here are three immediate steps to take. Subscribe to the podcast where ever you listen to podcasts.

Show Notes: In today's episode, I address the issue of underage drinking. I've been reluctant to speak on this topic publicly because of my controversial stance. However, after my son's friend almost died in a DUI incident over the Thanksgiving holiday, I decided it was time to let my perspective be heard. Unlike some other episodes, this might be a good one to listen to with your teenager. It's a bit longer than usual, but the subject required more time to cover. 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 program 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.

Show Notes: [Caution: Please do not listen to this episode with your child] Ever wish that your son or daughter was a bit more motivated? In this week's podcast, I review 3 tactics to consider when dealing with a teenager who is reluctant to challenge themselves. Tactic 1: Acquiescence Tactic 2: Forced March Tactic 3: Guidance I walk through each of these options and provide examples of how to find your modus operandi. 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 program 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 want to support the show, here are three immediate steps to take. Subscribe to the podcast where ever you listen to podcasts.

Show Notes: In this week's podcast, I discuss the growing importance of your child's "intended major" in the context of college admissions. Would my son be better off selecting "Egyptian Architecture" as his intended major to differentiate him from the crowd? The pitfalls of choosing "Computer Science" as your major. Parents of 6th - 12th graders should give this episode a listen. Follow us: Enroll in PrepWell Academy Follow on Instagram Follow on Facebook If you want to support the show, here are three immediate steps to take. Subscribe to the podcast where ever you listen to podcasts 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 program Podcast Host: 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. Learn More About PrepWell: 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.

Show Notes: In this week's podcast, I share an embarrassing story about how I recently flip-flopped on one of my long-held parenting policies: Pay-to-play If you have a child, and you spend money on them, you may want to give this a listen... Follow us: Enroll in PrepWell Academy Follow on Instagram Follow on Facebook If you want to support the show, here are three immediate steps to take. Subscribe to the podcast where ever you listen to podcasts 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 program Podcast Host: 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. Learn More About PrepWell: 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.

Show Notes: In this week's podcast, I share a typical conversation that I have with teenagers regarding their preparation for the SAT or ACT. Let's just say it doesn't go all that well. If you have a child who's in charge (or wants to be in charge) of their own SAT study plan, please give this episode a listen. Follow us: Enroll in PrepWell Academy Follow on Instagram Follow on Facebook If you want to support the show, here are three immediate steps to take. Subscribe to the podcast where ever you listen to podcasts 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 program Podcast Host: 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. Learn More About PrepWell: 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.

Show Notes: In this week's podcast, I share a tip that I learned 7 years ago. If you have a child with big ambitions for college and beyond, make sure you don't skip today's episode. Follow us: Enroll in PrepWell Academy Follow on Instagram Follow on Facebook If you want to support the show, here are three immediate steps to take. Subscribe to the podcast where ever you listen to podcasts 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 program Podcast Host: 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. Learn More About PrepWell: 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

Show Notes: In this week's podcast, I share a perfect example of how exploring your interests in high school can pay off. In Kevin Fitzgibbon's case, it meant getting a dream job with the NFL at age 19.   Kevin used PrepWell Academy's strategy of "interest probing" to land this job and pave the way for an amazing future. If your child is looking for examples of how this strategy works in real life, listen to this episode. Paragraph for show notes. Follow us: Enroll in PrepWell Academy Follow on Instagram Follow on Facebook If you want to support the show, here are three immediate steps to take. Subscribe to the podcast where ever you listen to podcasts 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 program Podcast Host: 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. Learn More About PrepWell: 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 week's podcast, I offer a creative idea to help your child develop an early interest in a subject, field, industry, or career.   Ideally, this process will help them when it comes time to choose an "intended major" on their college applications. This seemingly simple step can have significant consequences in the admissions process and beyond. If you want to help your child develop a budding area of interest, please listen to this episode. Follow us: Enroll in PrepWell Academy Follow on Instagram Follow on Facebook If you want to support the show, here are three immediate steps to take. Subscribe to the podcast where ever you listen to podcasts 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 program Podcast Host: 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. Learn More About PrepWell: 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.

Show Notes: In this week's podcast, I make a pitch for students to consider Toastmasters. If you've never heard of Toastmasters, you definitely need to listen to the episode. If you have heard of Toastmasters, but don't know how it might be relevant for your child, please listen to the episode.   Follow us: Enroll in PrepWell Academy Follow on Instagram Follow on Facebook If you want to support the show, here are three immediate steps to take. Subscribe to the podcast where ever you listen to podcasts 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 program Podcast Host: 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. Learn More About PrepWell: 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.

Show Notes: In this week's podcast, I discuss a strategy that I call "interest-probing". How do you help your child figure out what they are interested in? How might that interest translate into a college major or career? How do you stress-test their interest to see if it's durable? In this episode, I review a case study of a PrepWeller who is doing it right. Follow us: Enroll in PrepWell Academy Follow on Instagram Follow on Facebook If you want to support the show, here are three immediate steps to take. Subscribe to the podcast where ever you listen to podcasts 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 program Podcast Host: 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. Learn More About PrepWell: 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 stu

Show Notes: In this week's podcast, I discuss a big pet peeve of mine. My "issue" has to do with to a test-taking contagion exacerbated by SAT/ACT test-optional policies. If your child plans to take (or skip) the SAT or ACT, please listen to this episode.   Follow us: Enroll in PrepWell Academy Follow on Instagram Follow on Facebook If you want to support the show, here are three immediate steps to take. Subscribe to the podcast where ever you listen to podcasts 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 program Podcast Host: 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. Learn More About PrepWell: 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.

Show Notes: Several years ago, I created a 1-page worksheet that laid out the 7 categories that determine how well a student will be prepared for the college admissions process. In this podcast, I walk through this worksheet and discuss how it reveals your child's competitiveness. Here is what I discuss in this episode: 0:06:00 How to use this worksheet 0:06:55 Objective Academic Measures (Big 3) 0:10:50 Extracurricular Activities 0:13:30 Awards & Honors 0:14:30 Letters of Recommendation 0:15:30 Demonstrated Interest 0:16:40 College Essays 0:17:50 Institutional Priorities Follow us: Enroll in PrepWell Academy Follow on Instagram Follow on Facebook If you want to support the show, here are three immediate steps to take.   Subscribe to the podcast where ever you listen to podcasts Follow me on Instagram or Facebook Give us a review Share this episode with a friend Join our mailing list Enroll your 9th or 10th grader in the program Podcast Host: 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, 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.

Show Notes: In this episode, I go over what you need to know about the new digital SAT that rolls out in March 2024 (and the digital PSAT in October 2023). If you are a rising junior (Class of 2025), you MUST listen to this podcast. Here's what I cover: What's going on with the PSAT & SAT? When does it happen? Why is it happening? Differences between paper and digital? Who benefits most and least? What about accommodations? Which test should I take? when? why? How should I prepare? What about the PSAT and ACT? Rising juniors are the guinea pigs in this new roll-out. If you're not paying attention, you may be forced to take a test that you don't want to. Please listen to this entire podcast and come up with a plan. I'm here to help if you have questions.   Follow us: Enroll in PrepWell Academy Follow on Instagram Follow on Facebook If you want to support the show, here are three immediate steps to take. Subscribe to the podcast where ever you listen to podcasts 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 program Podcast Host: 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. Learn More About PrepWell: 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.

Join host Michelle Fraser in this week's episode as she engages in a captivating conversation with Phil Black, a highly accomplished Technical Director at Worley. Phil shares his inspiring career journey, having spent 22 years in the oil and gas industry. Discover how he is now spearheading the development of a training program aimed at helping engineers reframe their project experience. As a member of a successful improv team, Phil also emphasises the importance of nurturing one's creative side and staying connected to it. Tune in to gain insights and inspiration from Phil's unique perspective on career development and embracing creativity.

Show Notes: In this episode, I share my favorite skill-teaching technique that I have used with my sons for the last 18 years. The technique is based on a concept known as the "zone of proximal development" (aka Z.P.D.) first popularized by famed Russian psychologist Lev Vygotsky. The best time to help your children learn new and challenging skills is when they are in the Z.P.D. Learn how to recognize when your child is in the zone, and how your assistance can lead to exponential growth.   Follow us: Enroll in PrepWell Academy Follow on Instagram Follow on Facebook If you want to support the show, here are three immediate steps to take. Subscribe to the podcast where ever you listen to podcasts 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 program Podcast Host: 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. Learn More About PrepWell: 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.

Show Notes:  In this episode, I review a series of baseline summer goals for each grade (9-12th). If you want to know whether or not you're on track, please give a listen. Follow us: Enroll in PrepWell Academy Follow on Instagram Follow on Facebook If you want to support the show, here are three immediate steps to take. Subscribe to the podcast where ever you listen to podcasts 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 program Podcast Host: 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. Learn More About PrepWell: 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.

Show Notes: In this episode, I go through a bunch of issues that parents, students, and families are getting wrong (IMO). They are paying too much attention to issue X, and not enough attention to issue Y. Please make sure you are on the right side of the game here: GPA vs SAT 11/12th grade vs 9/10th grade relying on others vs yourself traditional colleges vs alternative paths class selection vs SAT/ACT sports camps vs emails to coaches anything else vs reading GPA/SAT vs institutional priorities Listen to these cases and make sure you are putting your time, energy, and money in the right spots. Follow us: Enroll in PrepWell Academy Follow on Instagram Follow on Facebook If you want to support the show, here are three immediate steps to take. Subscribe to the podcast where ever you listen to podcasts 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 program Podcast Host: 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. Learn More About PrepWell: 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.

Show Notes: In this episode, I discuss how to give feedback to your child - specifically after a sporting event.  Is there a right or wrong way? What are the pitfalls? Should you give any feedback at all? What is your child listening for? I offer 5 Guiding Principles to consider when thinking about whether or not to offer feedback to your child. The episode should be helpful even if your child does not play sports. The principles translate well for many different parts of a child's life (e.g. music, theater, robotics, etc.) Follow us: Enroll in PrepWell Academy Follow on Instagram Follow on Facebook If you want to support the show, here are three immediate steps to take. Subscribe to the podcast where ever you listen to podcasts 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 program Podcast Host: 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. Learn More About PrepWell: 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.

Show Notes: In this episode, I walk through the 6 most common categories of undergraduate colleges and universities. Here they are: community college average, state college/university highly-acclaimed state college/university average, private, liberal arts college/university highly-acclaimed private, liberal arts college/university most prestigious private, liberal arts college/university I address the types of schools that fall into each category, how much they cost, who gets in, how they get in, and general pros and cons. If you are curious about where your child might fit in on this continuum, give this episode a listen. Follow us: Enroll in PrepWell Academy Follow on Instagram Follow on Facebook If you want to support the show, here are three immediate steps to take. Subscribe to the podcast where ever you listen to podcasts 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 program Podcast Host: 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. Learn More About PrepWell: 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.

Show Notes: Last week, we talked about fantasy summer camps. This week, I get more practical. I do my best to answer this very common question: "Should I go to XYZ summer enrichment camp?" Listen to this episode to hear the pros, the cons, and the questions you should ask yourself before registering for any camp. Follow us: Enroll in PrepWell Academy Follow on Instagram Follow on Facebook If you want to support the show, here are three immediate steps to take. Subscribe to the podcast where ever you listen to podcasts 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 program Podcast Host: 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. Learn More About PrepWell: 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.

Show Notes: In this episode, I share one of my most potent tactics in getting teenagers to articulate what they are most curious about. It starts with a simple question: "Describe your ultimate fantasy summer camp". Once I have their answer, I can dig into the details and help them figure out how to connect this fantasy with reality. It works like a charm. I walk through a case study with a student interested in an ESPN Sports Fantasy Camp. Follow us: Enroll in PrepWell Academy Follow on Instagram Follow on Facebook If you want to support the show, here are three immediate steps to take. Subscribe to the podcast where ever you listen to podcasts 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 program Podcast Host: 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. Learn More About PrepWell: 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.

Show Notes: In this continuation of last week's Rapid Fire Q&A, I answer another batch of listener questions that have accumulated over the last week.   Here's a sample of what I cover: What is the one trap that most PrepWellers fall into that hurts their chances? What are the most undervalued experiences that most teenagers are not thinking enough about? At what point is it too late for a high school student to do well in the college admissions process? Should I take the SAT or ACT?  How much difference is there between Div I and Div III sports in college? When does my financial profile matter most? I got a 1200 on my PSAT10. What should I expect to get on the real SAT when I get into junior or senior year? What's the key to writing a great college essay? Should I do summer school? Your best parenting tip? and more...   Follow us: Enroll in PrepWell Academy Follow on Instagram Follow on Facebook If you want to support the show, here are three immediate steps to take. Subscribe to the podcast where ever you listen to podcasts 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 program Podcast Host: 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. Learn More About PrepWell: 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 remind every PrepWeller (and parent) out there, about the importance of sending "thank you" notes to people who helped you on your college admissions journey. Most colleges will send out their regular admissions decisions this month. Don't get caught up in the results so much that you forget to thank those who helped you along the way. If you think your list is just one or two people, you probably aren't thinking hard enough. Listen to this episode to find out how my son's list went from 2 to 20 people. And, considering that he only applied to one college, your list may be longer. I know this has been a long and challenging road for many of you. Make sure you finish strong. Follow us: Enroll in PrepWell Academy Follow on Instagram Follow on Facebook If you want to support the show, here are three immediate steps to take. Subscribe to the podcast where ever you listen to podcasts 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 program Podcast Host: 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. Learn More About PrepWell: 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 give one simple bit of advice for any up-and-coming PrepWeller who intends to score well on the verbal section of the SAT or ACT.  Please listen to this episode with your child. Follow us: Enroll in PrepWell Academy Follow on Instagram Follow on Facebook If you want to support the show, here are three immediate steps to take. Subscribe to the podcast where ever you listen to podcasts 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 program Podcast Host: 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. Learn More About PrepWell: 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.

This season we are coming in HOT!  Excited to share with you our conversation with the one and only, Sue Samuels!Sue Samuels (Teacher, Choreographer, Performer) has established herself as one of the staples of the performing arts community of today. With over 45 years of experience, her expertise is often sought after for mentoring and coaching purposes by professionals and aspiring artists alike from around the world. Her students have included numerous stage, film and tv stars including Melba Moore, Brooke Shields, and Irene Cara. She received the Flo-Bert Award from the NY Committee To Celebrate National Tap Dance Day for her many contributions to both the Jazz and Tap dance community and continues to serve on the Bessie Award Committee (New York Dance and Performance Awards).  Sue was awarded the Dance Teacher Award in 2018, The Legacy Award 2021 from Dancers Over 40 and was awarded a special Proclamation from the City Council of New York 2022. Performance and choreographic credits include lead dancer and assistant choreographer in such shows as Got Tu Go Disco at the Minskoff Theater on Broadway, The Johnny Hallyday Show in Paris, and the The Brazil Export Show in Rio de Janeiro, to name a few. Sue Samuels was the co-founder/owner of JoJo's Dance Factory in New York City for ten years, which later became Broadway Dance Center. Ms. Samuels was also the director of the Jazz Department and founded the Jazz program for Children at the Fort Lauderdale Ballet in Florida, and ran her own Children's program in Boca Raton for five years. Ms. Samuels was commissioned to teach at New York University in the Cap 21 program with theater majors, as well as Olympic Gymnastic Instructors in Tokyo, Japan. Other teaching credits include The Joffrey School of Ballet Summer Intensive, The Ailey Extension, The annual Los Angeles Tap Festival at Debbie Allen Dance Academy, The Broward Civic Ballet, Frank Hatchett's Professional Childrens Program, Dance Masters Association, the Haitian-American Academy of Ballet & Arts, the Dance Teachers' Association of Haiti (L'Association des Professeurs de Danse d'Haiti), Bento de Danza the Brazil International Jazz Dance Congress (Congresso do Jazz Internacional do Brasil), Bento em Danca (Brazil), and Helsinki Tap Festival in Finland. In 2009 she founded Jazz Roots Dance Company, in order to preserve and promote original repertoire from JoJo's Dance Factory as well as continue to develop her own choreographic voice that is rooted in classic jazz. She also aims to preserve the work of other classic jazz styles and influences by including works in the styles of Luigi, Matt Maddox, Phil Black, Bob Fosse, Jack Cole, Ron Lewis as well as lesser known choreographers who have influenced the field.For a complete bio, please visit Sue Samuel's webpage on Divine Rhythm Productions.Purchase Sue's DVD and CD of jazz barre, floor exercises and isolations at Divine Rhythm Productions Thank you for listening Jam Fam! Make sure you follow us across social media and don't forget to like and subscribe anywhere you listen to your favorite podcasts!Facebook: JAM Joe and Michelle's Dance PodcastInstagram: jam_dance_podcastTwitter: @jamdancepodcastEmail: jamdancepodcast@gmail.com

Show Notes: In this episode, I compare your child's summer activity strategy with the financial concept known as a "real option". How can your child create a summer experience that maximizes options and minimizes obligations? Follow us: Enroll in PrepWell Academy Follow on Instagram Follow on Facebook If you want to support the show, here are three immediate steps to take. Subscribe to the podcast where ever you listen to podcasts 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 program Podcast Host: 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. Learn More About PrepWell: 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.

Show Notes: In this episode, I lay out the new rules governing college admissions. In case you didn't get the memo, college admissions aren't like they used to be just 3 years ago. Don't get caught playing by the wrong set of rules. Find out what matters today and decide whether you need to stay the course or make some adjustments. Follow us: Enroll in PrepWell Academy Follow on Instagram Follow on Facebook If you want to support the show, here are three immediate steps to take. Subscribe to the podcast where ever you listen to podcasts 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 program Podcast Host: 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. Learn More About PrepWell: 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 help families focus on the issues that matter most when it comes to college admissions. In my experience, some families get too hyped-up about the wrong issues. Despite their good intentions, misplaced energy and focus sometimes lead them astray. Listen to the 4 issues that should be emphasized more and the 4 issues that should be emphasized less. With so many issues competing for our attention, I don't want you to waste any precious time or resources on low impact activities. Follow us: Enroll in PrepWell Academy Follow on Instagram Follow on Facebook If you want to support the show, here are three immediate steps to take. Subscribe to the podcast where ever you listen to podcasts 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 program Podcast Host: 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. Learn More About PrepWell: 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.

Show Notes: In this week's episode, I discuss the many benefits of modern day summer school - not the "summer school" you and I grew up with (which was typically a mark of dereliction), but the new and improved summer school.  Should your child consider summer school? Which summer school classes to take Reasons to take summer school How to take advantage of virtual summer school? Follow us: Enroll in PrepWell Academy Follow on Instagram Follow on Facebook If you want to support the show, here are three immediate steps to take. Subscribe to the podcast where ever you listen to podcasts 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 program Podcast Host: 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. Learn More About PrepWell: 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.

Show Notes: In this episode, I share my thoughts on the emergence of ChatGPT - the cumbersome name of a new AI platform that is re-writing how we write. How will this new technology impact college admissions, college essays, and the future of writing itself? Follow us: Enroll in PrepWell Academy Follow on Instagram Follow on Facebook If you want to support the show, here are three immediate steps to take. Subscribe to the podcast where ever you listen to podcasts 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 program Podcast Host: 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. Learn More About PrepWell: 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.

Show Notes: In this week's episode, I offer advice to parents who are trying to give their children the best opportunity to use sports as a hook to get into their first-choice colleges. Is there anything I can do besides support them financially? How does my child separate themselves from the competition? When should my child decide whether or not "sports" will be their thing? What's at stake? Follow us: Enroll in PrepWell Academy Follow on Instagram Follow on Facebook If you want to support the show, here are three immediate steps to take. Subscribe to the podcast where ever you listen to podcasts 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 program Podcast Host: 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. Learn More About PrepWell: 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.

Show Notes: In this episode, I encourage parents to change how they interact with their teenager. Their influence will peek in 9th and 10th grade, and disappear in 11th and 12th. How not to lose this important window of opportunity.        0:01:11 2-yr window of opportunity   0:02:30 90% of parenting is over   0:04:30 Dinnertime   0:05:30 By 11th grade, it's all over   0:06:50 How to take advantage   0:08:50 "Not enough time"   0:11:00 Common mistake   0:12:13 Moral of the story   0:13:00 Golden Years   Follow us: Enroll in PrepWell Academy Follow on Instagram Follow on Facebook   If you want to support the show, here are three immediate steps to take.   Subscribe to the podcast where ever you listen to podcasts Follow me on Instagram or Facebook Give us a review Share this episode with a friend Join our mailing list Enroll your 9th or 10th grader in the program Podcast Host: 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.

Show Notes: After months of college essay reviews with my private PrepWellers, I have concluded that writing skills have fallen off a cliff. How can you assess your child's writing skills and determine whether they need an intervention? Full Transcript: [00:00:24] Hello friends and welcome back to the PrepWell podcast. After weeks of reading, reviewing and commenting on college essays with my private PrepWellers and others, I felt it necessary to put out the following public service announcement to parents. Hear ye. Hear ye. Every year at a minimum, starting in middle school, parents need to get their hands on a sample of their child's writing to confirm that they know how to write in English in full sentences that make sense with appropriate punctuation, grammar and spelling. That's it. I don't want you to look for metaphors and similes and onomatopoeia and concision and clefts sentences, voice integration or anything remotely like this... at first. I actually don't want you to care too much about the topic or the quality of the thinking. I don't want you to look for any of those things yet. I simply want you to find out whether or not they can write a few sentences in a row that are coherent with a subject, a verb, and an object. That's it. For example, can they write a sentence like she scored a goal during the soccer game? I would be happy with this. A teacher can work with this. I can work with this. Unfortunately, fewer and fewer students that I work with can do this. And mind you, I work with, quote unquote, bright students from well-resourced communities and supportive parents and a track record of all A's in English. What I've been receiving from students, not all students, but an increasing number of them, especially in the last two years, which I'll address in a minute, are essay drafts that are unworkable. They're un-editable. [00:02:25] For example, a 400 word essay, which is about a half a page where every sentence needs massive revision and overhaul. Meaning when the sentence is rewritten and edited, it almost looks nothing like the original sentence. It's almost unrecognizable. I'm not talking about changing a word here or there to be a bit more precise or correcting subject verb agreements or getting rid of passive verbs that are used all over the place. I'm talking about a total rewrite from scratch for almost every sentence. I'm not talking about the quality of the content or whether the response even answers the essay question or whether it's logical or orderly or compelling or the strength of the vocab words. I'm just talking about individual sentences that on their own don't make any sense. Run on sentences, fragments, stream of consciousness, misspellings, weird parenthetical is all over the place. Many students are now writing as if they're talking or texting to a friend, with all of the informality and unconventional sentence structure inherent in everyday speech. This will become a problem for many students, not only when it's time to write competitive college essays, but when they actually go to college and they're expected to write in coherent sentences. And by the way, these issues are not isolated to students who've struggled with English and gotten C's or D's, for example, or students where English wasn't their first language. Or in schools with bad English departments. As I said, I see this trend in students from very strong schools who've gotten A's in every English class they've ever taken, including AP language and composition. I'm not sure how that happens, but it happens. What I've witnessed, particularly in the last 2 to 3 years with respect to writing, has been a complete breakdown. It just wasn't this way. Three years ago. Four years ago. And there are, in my opinion, a few obvious reasons why this might be happening. [00:04:46] Number one, nobody reads anymore. One of the best ways to become a good writer or a better writer is by reading. By reading, you see different writing styles, vocabulary words, grammatical conventions, punctuation... over and over again. They become slides in your head that you can refer back to consciously or unconsciously when you begin to write yourself. Well, we all know that reading is no longer a thing. We all know that smartphones and video games and Netflix have replaced reading, and thus students have increasingly less exposure to these slides in their head. They lack exposure to writing, to words, to language, to style, to vocabulary. Another reason might be online essay submission. Remember back in the day when you would write an essay, the teacher would read it and mark it up with a red pen and hand it back to you a week later. Often for a rewrite, you got something in your hands that you could look at. It was tangible. You could show it to your parents and work on the rewrite, or at least acknowledge your weaknesses and identify areas for improvement. It looked like the teacher invested a lot of time and effort into making comments and you wanted to show some respect for their time by trying to improve your writing and maybe improve your grade. And it may have taken a few drafts, but eventually you'd write a good paper, a great paper and get a good grade. Well, that doesn't seem to happen very much anymore. Today, students often submit their essay online at 11:59 p.m. on the day that it's due via Google classrooms or some other online platform. The teacher then grades it, may or may not make any digital comments and the great is automatically logged and it's done. And the student and the teacher likely never look at the paper again. The student probably gets a notification on their phone that the grade has been entered. They may or may not ever look at the paper again, and I'm sure it's rare that a student will ever go back and review comments if there are any or rewrite the essay. That's not happening. Once a student submits the essay. They never look at it or care about it again. And you as a parent never see it. You probably didn't even know that the paper was due or submitted. It doesn't come home with them and wind up on a kitchen table. It's in the cloud somewhere, and that's where it stays. [00:07:30] What about larger class sizes? Large class sizes these days can make it more challenging for teachers to make quality comments and to follow up with students to make sure they understand how to improve their work. 36 students is a lot of students to keep track of when it comes to writing and follow up. If your child isn't proactive with their teacher, don't expect their teacher to track them down to ensure that they're getting what they need. It's unrealistic. Now, maybe this is a plug for private schools where maybe there are 15 students in a class and presumably those students would get more attention. What about COVID lockdowns? For students who are prohibited from going to school for 18 plus months, and had to learn online via Zoom while sitting on their beds, how much writing do you actually think they did? How much feedback did they get on the writing that they did? Here's a hint. Not much. Teachers were trying to figure out how to migrate all of their lessons to the digital world. They were getting pressure not to stress out the students. Many were told to give everyone A's no matter what or give no grade at all or give pass fail grades. Deadlines were waived. Extra credit was handed out like candy. There were no consequences for not showing up to class or even for being disruptive during a Zoom class. It was a mess. None of these factors motivated students to do much at all, let alone the very labor intensive job of writing and editing and rewriting and writing again. So no one wrote anything or they wrote something, got little to no feedback, and they moved on. Or maybe worse, they got an A and believe that their writing must have been fine. And lastly, what about parent aloofness? I will admit that I've been guilty of this. As long as the kids kept bringing home good grades. I wasn't asking a lot of questions, and I definitely wasn't asking to see writing samples during the lockdown. It just didn't occur to me to do such a thing. I hadn't seen a problem. I wasn't getting phone calls from the teacher or requests for a student teacher conference. So I assumed all systems were a go, and that was my fault. I should have been a more diligent advocate. [00:09:58] Well, I don't want you to make the same mistake. Especially now. We, as parents, need to take more responsibility for our child's ability to write the English language. Again, I don't expect us to turn into AP language and composition teachers overnight or spend hours and hours tutoring our children in English. Not that there would be anything wrong with that, but I do want to make sure that we all seize the opportunity to nip a problem in the bud before it's too late. What is my goal with this episode? Number one, raise our collective awareness about how common poor writing skills are among our children, even those getting A's in their English classes. Number two, get a writing sample. This is very important. Get a writing sample from your child. If you can't get one that they wrote for their English class, then take things into your own hands and make your child write a three quarter of a page summary about a book that they just read or a movie that they just watched. I'm serious. Watch a movie together and then ask your child to write a three quarter page summary of the movie. Plot characters. Storyline. Simple stuff. Make sure they take it seriously. In fact, if you're tech savvy enough, I would actually turn off the spell check feature and the Grammarly app running in the background and see what they can do without all of these online helpers. And give them some kind of incentive if you have to. Take them out to Chick-Fil-A or go to a real movie theater to see a movie, do something to get them to provide you with a legitimate writing sample. Okay. Then what we're going to do is we're going to take a deep breath once we get the writing sample and read their work. And I would expect a few things to happen. You will either be pleasantly surprised and send me an email that I'm crazy because your child is fine at writing. And why am I sounding so many alarm bells? That would be great. Or you will be horrified at what you see. And you'll now have to come up with a plan to take your child's writing ability into your own hands. I'm not going to have time to address how you might do that in today's episode, but maybe I'll do so in a future episode, but at least you'll know. And lastly, let's get in front of the problem. If there is a problem with your child's writing ability, you need to address it now so that you don't run into real problems when it comes time to write college essays or, God forbid, go to college with such low level writing skills. Something must be done ahead of time. Now, I hope this lack of writing skills isn't as widespread as my experience would suggest. Unfortunately, I believe that it may actually be an order of magnitude worse than what I'm witnessing, because, as I said, I work with almost exclusively relatively motivated students, on the ball parents from strong academic environments. Imagine what's happening in less well-resourced places with less parental support. And again, don't expect Shakespeare when you review your child's writing, don't nitpick. If your child uses less, then instead of fewer, then don't call out the National Guard. If your child's vocabulary appears to be pretty basic, don't put them on some kind of a draconian sat words flashcard regimen. Not that there's anything wrong with that. My point is, be reasonable. You should be looking for big problems, not small problems. Are their sentences riddled with spelling errors? Do they consistently have subject verb agreement problems? Are they switching back and forth between verb tenses? Does it read like a string of text messages? Do they put commas everywhere and anywhere they feel like it? Do they end every sentence with a preposition? Are they starting sentences with 'being that the main character was afraid of _______?' Do the sentences make sense? Are they coherent? If you read them aloud, would you understand what they're trying to say? These are the types of things I want you to be on the lookout for. These are the things that must be fixed before they write their college essays. [00:14:29] The point of this episode and of PrepWell Academy the online course is to get out in front of issues like this before it's too late so that you can make adjustments early enough that they aren't horribly disruptive. As parents we're busy. We've got a lot on our plates. If our children are getting good grades, we tend not to ask too many questions. Why stir the po? Well, the answer is because if the pot isn't stirred in a timely fashion, your child may be in for a bruising when it comes to college essays, college itself, and of course, when they eventually throw themselves at the mercy of the real world. So if you have a child in middle school or high school, your homework assignment this week is to get your hands on a recent writing sample from your child, using any means necessary to see where they stand. Are they good to go? Do they need a little extra fine tuning here and there, or are they a complete mess in need of a massive reboot? Well, I wish you luck. And please reach out to me with what you're finding out about your child's writing ability. I'd love to be proven wrong. I hope the poor writing skills that I've been witnessing is more of an exception than the rule. That's all I've got for you today, folks. Thank you for tuning in. Thank you for your continued support. In case you didn't know, this podcast supports prep academies online mentoring program where high schoolers and their parents receive weekly videos from me, where I break down important topics and give timely advice about college admissions, particularly for top tier colleges, service academies, and for ROTC and athletic scholarships. Many parents who listen to this podcast already have their high schoolers enrolled in PrepWell Academy, which is great. If you don't yet, please consider enrolling them. Registration is only open during freshman or sophomore year. After that, we no longer accept new students. So if you have a freshman or a sophomore in high school and like what you're hearing in these podcasts and you'd like to get more content like this tailored specifically for your child for their specific grade and interest, then go to PrepWellAcademy.com and enroll today. If you know a parent with a middle school or high schooler that might find this helpful, please share the episode with them and give us a rating. Word of mouth and positive ratings help our podcast reach a wider audience. Of course, if you have comments, questions or an idea for an upcoming episode, please reach out to me by email. DM on Instagram. Check out our blog, Facebook page. Connect with me on LinkedIn. I would love to hear from you. Until next week... goodbye, good luck and never stop preparing. [00:17:19] This podcast is brought to you by PrepWell Academy. PrepWell Academy is my one of a kind online mentoring program that delivers to your 9th or 10th grader a short, highly relevant video from me every week. Every Sunday, in fact, where I give them a heads up about what they should be thinking about to stay ahead of the game. To get these valuable lessons into your child's hands. Please head over to www.PrepWellAcademy.com and enroll your child today. Follow us: Enroll in PrepWell Academy Follow on Instagram Follow on Facebook If you want to support the show, here are three immediate steps to take. Subscribe to the podcast where ever you listen to podcasts 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 program Podcast Host: 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. Learn More About PrepWell: 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.

Show Notes: Junior year PSAT scores will come out this week. In today's episode, I reveal the methodology I use to predict a student's actual SAT score based on their 11th-grade PSAT score.   Over the last decade, I have developed an "improvement margin" model that will give you a ballpark idea of how much improvement your child should expect based on their gender, level of motivation, and level of resources available.   Can my child increase their SAT score by 20 points, 50 points, 200 points? What should I expect? Tune in and find out where your junior's SAT score might end up by the time they take the real thing...   Follow us: Enroll in PrepWell Academy Follow on Instagram Follow on Facebook If you want to support the show, here are three immediate steps to take. Subscribe to the podcast where ever you listen to podcasts 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 program Podcast Host: 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. Learn More About PrepWell: 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 explore why our schools neglect one of the most important modern skills - the skill of being able to learn. Phil Black is the founder of the Mira app and shares his passion for how he is looking to transform the way children learn. About Phil Black Experienced Business, Product and Technology Leader who has, in some way, been involved in helping people and organisations deliver change and transformation, become more agile, and re-imagine digital experiences. He now leads a startup building Mira - coaching technology to radically individualise learning at scale. For the full show notes and transcription checkout: https://www.superpowers.school/ Watch episodes on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/paddydhanda/ ★ BUY ME KO-FI ★ If you enjoy the podcast, then you can donate a small amount here as a token of your appreciation: https://ko-fi.com/paddydhanda Contact Paddy at: pardeep_dhanda (at) hotmail.com --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/superpowers-school/message

In this episode, we take a look at how a large corporate organisation (British Telecom) has undergone an agile transformation. We explore the reasons behind the transformation and the challenges that were faced along the way. We hear from our special guest, Phil Black, who was instrumental in the early years of the Agile transformation. About Phil Black Experienced Business, Product and Technology Leader who has, in some way, been involved in helping people and organisations deliver change and transformation, become more agile, and re-imagine digital experiences. He now leads a startup building Mira - coaching technology to radically individualise learning at scale. For the full show notes and transcription checkout: https://www.superpowers.school/ Watch episodes on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/paddydhanda/ ★ BUY ME KO-FI ★ If you enjoy the podcast, then you can donate a small amount here as a token of your appreciation: https://ko-fi.com/paddydhanda Contact Paddy at: pardeep_dhanda (at) hotmail.com --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/superpowers-school/message

Show Notes: In this episode, I review the topics that I covered with my sons before they left for college. It was my attempt to convey as much "wisdom" as I could before they left the nest for good. We covered a variety of topics including paperwork essentials, financial literacy, and how to live a good life. As you can imagine, this was not an easy exercise.   0:02:40 Life Skills (1 - 36)   0:07:24 Paperwork essentials (1 - 13)   0:09:10 Financial literacy (1 - 14)   0:15:00 Financial education   0:19:00 Philosophical questions   Follow us: Enroll in PrepWell Academy Follow on Instagram Follow on Facebook   If you want to support the show, here are three immediate steps to take.     Subscribe to the podcast where ever you listen to podcasts Follow me on Instagram or Facebook Give us a review Share this episode with a friend Join our mailing list Enroll your 9th or 10th grader in the program   Podcast Host: 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.  

The last city under Ukrainian control in the Luhansk region has fallen. It's both a strategic and a symbolic win for Moscow, which vowed to “liberate” the Donbas region – the eastern part of Ukraine where the conflict with Russian-backed separatists first started in 2014. Ukraine's military now says Russian forces are preparing renewed offensives towards cities in the Donetsk region, the other part of the Donbas still controlled by Kyiv. As Ukraine's control of the region crumbles, Phil Black reports from Siversk in the Donbas.  Also on today's show: Hungarian Foreign Minister Péter Szijjártó, singer/songwriter Carole King, personal finance columnist Michelle Singletary  To learn more about how CNN protects listener privacy, visit cnn.com/privacy

CNN's Phil Black joins Fareed from Lviv, Ukraine with the latest report on Russia's new commander for the war in Ukraine. Then, former British Prime Minister Gordon Brown calls for the investigation and prosecution of President Vladimir Putin for crimes of aggression in Ukraine. Plus, Meghan O'Sullivan, director of the Geopolitics of Energy Project at Harvard University's Kennedy School, explains how Europe could wean itself off Russian oil and gas. And, New Yorker writer Masha Gessen explains how Russians see Putin's war.   To learn more about how CNN protects listener privacy, visit cnn.com/privacy

CNN's Phil Black joins Fareed to report on the disturbing images of dead bodies strewn across streets in Bucha, Ukraine. Then, former NATO Supreme Allied Commander James Stavridis talks to Fareed about Russia's military strategy and how Ukrainians are capitalizing on the power of nationalism. Then, Putin critic and exiled Russian oligarch Mikhail Khodorkovsky sits down with Fareed to talk about how badly Putin miscalculated and what it will take to stop him. Plus, a respite from war in music, with Billy Joel and John Batiste. Guests: Phil Black, James Stavridis, Mikhail Khodorkovsky, Billy Joel, Jon Batiste. Air date: 04.03.22 To learn more about how CNN protects listener privacy, visit cnn.com/privacy