10 years ago, a Computer Science degree was to-die-for.
Today, it’s dead.
Find out how a degree in Computer Science has fallen out of favor so quickly.
Learn how to leverage a degree in Computer Science in today’s oversaturated CS marketplace.
Discover how to pick a college major that will withstand the coming waves of AI, automation, and new technology.
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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.
In this episode, I address a common issue among teenagers (that sometimes grows into a concern if it's not addressed in a timely fashion). That is, students who claim that they have no idea what they are interested in, no clue what they want to major in, or what field of work they might enjoy. They are lost.
I walk through how I talk to teenagers about this issue, why it exists, and how to help them find a path forward.
If you have a child in middle school or high school who has not yet found a passion, focus, or inspiration, give this episode a listen.
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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 podcast (our 300th episode), I reveal something positive that comes out of the recent chaos engulfing college admissions:
If you are curious about the ray of light shining through at the end of this tunnel, please give this episode a listen.
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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.
In today's episode, I break down some of the reasons that college has become so expensive.
If you are aware how expensive college has become, but you're not sure why or how, please give this episode a listen.
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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.
A lot has changed in the last 30-40 years when it comes to higher education.
Are our assumptions about the value of a college degree still valid?
What has changed?
In this episode, I lay bare the truth about what’s happening in today’s college admissions environment.
Who should pursue a traditional college path?
Who should pursue a non-traditional path?
What is at stake?
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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.
In this episode, I discuss one of the biggest "ah-ha" moments I've had over the course of the last 10 years of teaching and advising students and families about the college admissions process (including going through the process with 3 of my 4 sons so far). If your child wants to stand out among their peers, they need to accomplish certain things by the end of their sophomore year. This podcast will enumerate each of those things. If you are the parent of a rising 8th, 9th, or 10th grader, this is the episode for you.
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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.
In today's episode, I help your child (especially juniors) determine who should write their letters of recommendation.
If your child is a junior in high school, please do not miss out on this episode.
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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.
In today's episode, I urge you to carefully consider how much AI might impact your child's major choice, college choice, and career choice -- before they lock into a college admission strategy.
AI will turn our world upside down within the next 4-6 years.
How will your child fare graduating from college in this new world?
Will they graduate with an obsolete major?
Will they have the skills necessary to integrate into an AI-based economy?
Listen to this episode to hear the best case, worst case, and middle case.
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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.
In today's episode, I make the case for intervening sooner rather than later when it comes to academic struggles.
For example, if your son/daughter is not quite getting "Chemistry", being proactive is preferred to waiting until the final exam to shore up their understanding.
Finding a tutor to help them get over the hump can work wonders, especially in traditionally challenging subjects like:
Listen to this episode to hear the rationale and benefit of early intervention with a talented 1-on-1 tutor.
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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.
In today's episode, I highlight a common question that was asked by one of our PrepWell Academy parents.
Should my daughter take the SAT again?
Since this question comes up a lot, I thought it would be beneficial to review the facts of her case and offer some suggestions on how to make an informed decision.
If your child plans to take the SAT or ACT, give this episode a listen?
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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.
In today's episode, especially for families who don't have unlimited money, I urge parents to make an educated guess on how their child will fare financially after they graduate from college.
What are their hopes/dreams/aspirations?
You don't need an exact answer, but you should try to get in the ballpark.
Has your child dreamed of working for Goldman Sachs their entire life and shown the work ethic and aptitude to land such a job?
Or
Do they seem content to be a middle school special education teacher for 30 years in the local school district?
With the cost of education spiraling out of control, it's more important than ever to try to match the cost of college with the ability to pay for it.
Generally speaking, there are 4 different "cost" categories to consider:
Which one of these paths is your child leaning toward?
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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.
In today's episode, I discuss two different personality traits among high school students.
Find out which one most closely aligns with your child and the pros and cons of each mindset.
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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.
Have you noticed a rising trend in the number of college graduates opting for graduate school?
I have.
Listen to this week's episode to hear some of the reasons why this trend is taking hold and what to look out for.
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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.
In today's episode, I discuss the coming of the AI revolution and how middle school, high school, and college students should prepare for its takeover.
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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.
In today's episode, I walk through what happened with a private student of mine who decided to use ChatGPT for his supplemental essays.
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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.
In today's episode, I recommend that students interested in "business" should consider majoring in accounting instead.
Accounting is the language of business.
Instead of taking puff classes in marketing, finance, and supply chain management, why not take real classes that will be valuable in the real world.
If your child is unsure about their future, and will likely default to "business" as a major, please listen to this episode.
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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.
In today's episode, I review how to approach the most important essay in the college admissions process...
"Why Us?" essay
In my opinion, this supplemental essay question is more important that the main Common Application essay (or personal statement).
Learn why this "Why Us" supplemental essay is so important and how you can write it in a compelling way.
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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.
In today's episode, I test a hypothesis of mine that asks the following question:
Since Khan Academy partnered with the College Board (in 2015) to create the most comprehensive, interactive, accessible, and free SAT Tutoring Program, has the national average SAT score gone up, down, or remained the same?
Take this journey with me to see what the answer is and whether your son or daughter are part of the problem or the solution?
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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.
In today's episode, I challenge an assumption that more and more students (and their parents) are claiming...
"I'm a bad standardized-test-taker"
What does this actually mean?
Who decides?
How do we define "bad"?
If you have a child that may fall into this category, please don't miss this episode.
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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.
In my opinion, the "Extracurricular Activities List" is one of the most overlooked sections in the Common App.
Students think it's easy, short, and not that big a deal.
Wrong-O!
The Extracurricular Activities section is one of the few places to tell your story by highlighting all the things that you've done for the last few years.
If you don't invest in this section, however, you can very easily miss an opportunity (or worse).
In today's episode, I review tips on how to crush this section:
Don't sleep on the ECA list. It can breathe life into your application and differentiate you from the students who blew it off.
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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.