ServeWell Podcast

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.

Two weeks ago, I highlighted the importance of feedback when it comes to the development of 18-22 year-olds. This week, I dig into the importance of structure. The two extremes that come to mind are Brown University and West Point. The latter offers one of the most "unstructured" college experiences around. West Point, on the other hand, is the poster child for a structured environment. Learn about the pros and cons of these two experiences and which may resonate most with your child.

In today's episode, I cover the topic of feedback. In order to mature, young adults need to know what they are doing right and what they are doing wrong. And the sooner -- the better. There are a few pathways that provide this type of feedback, often at an accelerated pace. There are other pathways that do not. If your child is interested in personal development, please give this episode a listen.

In today's episode, I review why the service academies care so much about: SAT/ACT GPA Rigor of coursework Why did all the service academies continue to require standardized test scores when nearly every other college went "test optional" during COVID?

In today's episode, I discuss three common college/career pathways and how they may impact your child's road to adulthood: Ivy League schools Non-Ivy League schools Service academies & ROTC Which way is your child leaning?

In today's episode, I discuss how to ensure that your child secures outstanding letters of recommendation. Unfortunately, a lot of students take this part of the process lightly. They think the teacher is the one who has to do all the work. They just sit back and make sure the LORs are submitted in a timely fashion. I don't think so. There's is a lot of prep work required to make sure your teachers are set up for success. Take a listen to this episode to make sure your child is staying on track with their LORs.

In today's episode, I discuss how AI will impact 4 cohorts: recent college graduates college students high school students middle school students I will also opine on how AI might affect students who choose to attend a service academy or ROTC program. Do you have a child in one of these cohorts? How will they fare?

In today's episode, I wrestle with the tension between sticking to the old playbook (e.g. traditional college) vs. doing something more non-traditional (e.g. service academies/ROTC) in light of the AI revolution that is upon us. I will share my thoughts on how a service academy experience may be the best antidote for the uncertainty that will come with the wave of AI innovation, disruption, and chaos. Do you agree?

In today's episode, I discuss the importance of the SAT (especially the math section) for students interested in service academies and ROTC scholarships. In a perfect world, your child will be at least one grade-level ahead in math by the time they enter high school. This will allow them to take the SAT at the very beginning of 11th grade. A 7th-grade math placement test is often what determines whether or not your child can move ahead in math. Be very aware of this fact when it happens. If you know a parent with a child interested in the service academies and ROTC, make sure they listen to this episode as early in middle school as possible.

In today's episode, I go through a list of leadership opportunities that may be worth pursuing to beef-up your leadership credentials. school-based sports-based JROTC-based Summer-based Community service-based DIY-based For each of these experiences, the selection board will consider: (1) scope, (2) responsibility, (3) sustained commitment, (4) initiative, and (5) progression.

In today's episode, I discuss the how much (or how little) a "campus culture" can influence your child's world view. I look at three different students: street-smart student middle-of-the-road student clueless student And 3 different campus environments: political (conservative or progressive) religious (faith-friendly or secular) social permissiveness (strict or anything goes) How will different campus cultures influence different types of students? Will that influence be positive or negative? Where do ROTC programs and service academies fit into this picture?

In today's episode, I assume the role of a 15, 16, or 17-yr-old high school student who is interested in the service academies or ROTC. In the past, not much was expected of these aspiring midshipmen and cadets.  Most had a very superficial understanding of what they were getting themselves into and there wasn't a clear path to figuring these things out.  Those days are over.  In this episode, I demonstrate how easy it is for any student to get information about the service academies and ROTC without going to the library, visiting a service academy, talking to a retired military person, or randomly plugging search terms into Google.  Enter...ChatGPT Learn how easy it is to sit back and become a subject matter expert on these topics in the matter of an hour or two.  From clueless to fully-informed. 

Why do some people hesitate to consider service academies and ROTC programs? I don't understand what they are I want a "real" college experience My child is not disciplined enough My child is not interested in combat My daughter has ADHD Listen to the counterpoints to some of these commons friction points when it comes to these unique opportunities.