#176 Boosting Selective College Admissions and Affordability with Phil Black

Flourish Coaching

May 27, 2025

In this episode, Lisa and Phil discuss:

The increasing competitiveness of college admissions and how students can stand out
College affordability challenges and emerging solutions for middle-income families
How military-affiliated education pathways like Reserve Officers’ Training Corps (ROTC) are evolving in today’s landscape
Strategic early planning in high school to align students with admissions and career opportunities

Key Takeaways:

Pursuing ROTC scholarships can significantly increase a student’s chances of admission at selective colleges by placing them in a smaller, less competitive applicant pool with added institutional incentives.
ROTC programs can drastically reduce or eliminate the financial burden of college, with full-tuition scholarships, summer stipends, and guaranteed high-paying jobs post-graduation.
Starting as early as 9th grade, students should begin building a competitive ROTC profile by demonstrating academic strength, physical fitness, leadership, and a consistent interest in service.
With the potential reduction in need-based financial aid at elite institutions due to shifting federal funding, ROTC offers a strategic alternative for middle-income families seeking affordability without compromising on school quality.

“If you’re an ROTC student, you can get nearly all of your college paid for.” – Phil Black

About Phil Black:

Phil Black has built a remarkable 30-year track record that includes roles as a Division I college athlete, Navy SEAL officer, Goldman Sachs investment banker, entrepreneur, firefighter, and two-time Shark Tank contestant. He holds a bachelor’s degree from Yale and an MBA from Harvard Business School.

For the past 12 years, he’s helped hundreds of students gain admission to service academies, ROTC programs, and top-tier colleges. His twin sons are graduating from Yale (Navy ROTC), one son is at the U.S. Naval Academy, and his youngest is a high school sophomore.

Episode References:

Phil’s ServeWell Academy ROTC Blog Posts: https://www.servewellacademy.com/blog?tag=rotc
#144 Military Service Academy Majors & Career Paths with Phil Black: https://flourishcoachingco.com/144
#091 How ROTC Programs Train Future Officers & Help Pay For College with Lisa Rielage: https://flourishcoachingco.com/091

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