ServeWell Podcast

In this week's podcast, I focus on the first of the three pillars of the service academies:

• Academics
• Athletics
• Leadership

Why are academics so important?

In this week's podcast, I discuss organizations like NCSA (Next College Student Athlete).

These programs promise to connect your child with college coaches with the goal of securing athletic scholarships.

If your child is considering using sports to help them get into a service academy or traditional college, please listen to today's episode.

In this week's podcast, I explore whether ROTC may be the perfect hedge for students who are not prepared for the rigors of a service academy but also don't want to be part of the chaos on traditional college campuses.

Is ROTC a viable compromise between these two extremes?

In this week's podcast, I juxtapose two very different views on life after high school.

The Case A student chooses the "pain later" path. This student wants college to be the best four years of their life - bar none. Immediate gratification and indulgence are at the core of their short-term goals.

The Case B student chooses "pain now". This student is willing to give up some conveniences, perks, and indulgences now for a more fulfilling life later.

Ask your child which camp they are in.

In this week's podcast, I share a story about my son and a small group of "Fellows" who are trying to land jobs with Palantir.

The scenario encapsulates a lot of what's happening in the real-world right now as it relates to technology, major choice, AI, and the job market.

In this week's podcast, I do my best to distinguish between a nomination and an appointment.

These terms are often used interchangeably despite having very different meanings.

Please listen to this episode to make sure you have them straight in your mind.

In this week's podcast, I walk through what it takes to get selected for one of the most sought-after jobs in the Navy and Air Force:

Fighter pilot

I will dig into these important dimensions:

• SAT and ACT
• Class rigor
• Class rank
• Varsity sports
• CFA
• Leadership
• Community service
• Aviation-related ECAs

If your child has toyed with the idea of flying fighter jets in the military, this would be a good episode to digest.

In this week's podcast, I suggest how to pick the branch of service that suits you best.

Part of the analysis has to do with what you are optimizing for:

• undergraduate experience?
• early work experience?
• long-term career experience?

Some students already have a good idea of which branch they are most interested in. Others are open-minded.

Which are you?

In this week's podcast, I encourage students to open up an individual brokerage account and a ROTH IRA.

For students who aspire to a service academy or ROTC program, this is the ultimate move.

I walk them through every step of the process.

Topics covered include:

• Why invest early?
• What is a brokerage account?
• What is a Roth IRA?
• What to invest in?
• What is compounding interest?
• Why can you do this while others can't?

Financial literacy is at an all-time low in this country. It's important that our children start to get more familiar with the language of money, investing, and returns. This episode is a great start...

In this week's podcast, I review what DoDMERB is and how to avoid the pitfalls it may present.

When your child applies to a service academy or ROTC program, they will eventually be prompted to complete an online medical questionnaire.

Do not let them do this alone.

One wrong click or misrepresentation could lead to a medical disqualification.

Please listen to this episode first.

For those with younger students, listen to this episode now to make sure that any injuries from here on out are handled appropriately.

In this week's podcast, I review the 5 biggest nothing-burger extracurricular activities that you should not include in your applications - unless you have no choice.

You might be surprised by the list.

Even though some of the activities/organizations sound legitimate, more often than not, they are a waste of time, energy, and money.

Don't get caught chasing the wrong cars.

In this week's episode, I compare the trajectory of two similar students as they transition into college. [Though inspired by real-world stories, these students are fictitious and the outcomes are for illustration purposes only.]

One student (Ethan) decided to take the more traditional pathway by attending a well-respected, liberal arts college where he would study economics.

The other student (Roman) decided to take a less traditional route and attended the United States Naval Academy to study mechanical engineering.

I tracked their progress from age 18 - 35.

If you're interested to see where their lives ended up, please tune into this week's show.

In this week's episode, I review how to prepare for a service academy interview.

Last week, my youngest son sat down with his Blue & Gold officer for his official USNA interview. It was the fourth time the Blue & Gold officer has been to our house.

Listen to this podcast to find out:

• how to prepare
• what to expect
• common questions
• dress code
• timing

Tune in if you want the inside scoop on how this important part of the application process goes down.

In this week's episode, I wonder why every high school student doesn't apply to a service academy and/or ROTC program.

In this week's episode, I discuss whether it's worth it to invest in an SAT or ACT tutor.

In this week's episode, I reflect on the last few months of 1-on-1 consulting sessions I've had with several ServeWellers.

With few exceptions, many students were guilty of the following poor habits:

• Not taking notes
• Not creating outlines prior to writing
• Not calling adults by their names

Please have a listen and discuss this topic with your child.These habits will pay long-term dividends well after the college admissions process is over.

In this week's episode, I react to a comment left on one of my Instagram reels suggesting that maritime academies weren't ideal because they often required long stretches at sea (3-6 months) which is not ideal for maintaining a work-life balance.

Come again?

Is the new rule that every college graduate should expect:

• a guaranteed job
• making $100K/yr
• with work-life balance?

Tune in to hear my thoughts on this comment.

In this week's episode, I review the origin story of "TED Talk Roulette" and how it can be implemented in your child's life.

This activity is designed to help students who claim that they "just aren't interested in anything."

If your child finds it difficult to articulate what they are interested in, what college might be a good fit (e.g. traditional, service academy, ROTC), or a possible career path, it's time to play TED Talk Roulette. Feel free to reach out with any questions.

This week, I offer the third and final installment of our 3-part series that tries to answer the question:

What makes college students successful?

In review:

- Part I (feedback)

- Part 2 (structure)

- Part 3 (challenge)

Feel free to reach out with any questions.

This week, I try to explain why my phone is ringing off the hook with students interested in service academies and ROTC programs.

I review six different potential reasons.

In the end, it seems that traditional colleges are no longer delivering on the promises of the past.

Students are looking for something different, better, harder.

Feel free to reach out with any questions.