Admittedly: College Admissions with Thomas Caleel
by Thomas Caleel
Does thinking about applying to college, grad school, or prep school make your head spin? The Admittedly Podcast is for both parents and students preparing for or navigating school admissions. We aim to demystify the admissions process and share with you what you really need to know to succeed. Our host, Thomas Caleel, former director of MBA admissions and financial aid for the Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania, is here to help. He is a lifelong entrepreneur and CEO of a global admissions consulting agency where he works with families worldwide to help them achieve their educational goals. New episodes go live every Tuesday and Thursday. Learn from our guest speakers, live coaching sessions, and weekly solo episodes. Have admissions questions you'd like answered on the show? Apply to be coached by Thomas himself on one of our upcoming recordings. In this podcast, we don't promise easy answers or quick fixes. But with decades of experience under his belt, Thomas wil
Episodes
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S5E31: Pay-to-Play College Admissions: When Summer Programs & Research Actually Help (And When They Hurt)
To speak with an advisor and map out your student's next steps, book a Complimentary Strategy Call at admittedly.co/apply. Are expensive summer programs and paid research opportunities actually helping students get into selective colleges? Or are families spending thousands of dollars on…
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S5E30: The Return of Standardized Testing: What PSAT, SAT, & ACT Scores Mean for 2027 Admissions and Beyond
To speak with an advisor and map out your student's next steps, book a Complimentary Strategy Call at admittedly.co/apply. SAT or ACT? Does the PSAT matter? When should your student start preparing? Should they submit their scores to test-optional colleges? And what does a competitive score...
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S5E29: Early Decision in 2026-2027: What's Changing, Why it Matters, & How to Approach Your Applications
To speak with an advisor and map out your student's next steps, book a Complimentary Strategy Call at admittedly.co/apply. Should you apply Early Decision, Early Action, or wait until Regular Decision? With early application deadlines approaching, the decision is about more than getting your...
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S5E28: Your Student Is Exceptional, But Are They Competitive? | A Hard (But Necessary) Conversation About Highly Selective Admissions
To speak with an advisor and map out your student's next steps, book a Complimentary Strategy Call at https://info.admittedly.co/path-to-admissions Your child may be bright, hardworking, involved, and genuinely impressive. But does that make them competitive at the most selective colleges? In…
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S5E27: Silicon Valley Wants You to Rethink Your Education | Opportunities, Tradeoffs & the Risks of Betting on Tech
To speak with an advisor and map out your student's next steps, book a Complimentary Strategy Call at info.admittedly.co/path-to-admissions. In this episode of the Admittedly Podcast, Thomas Caleel examines the rise of alternative education paths, from tech and startup programs to AI-driven…
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S5E26: What 22 Years of Tutoring Teaches You About Students: Motivation, Mastery, and Finding Your Voice (With Advantage Testing's Sarah Bernbach)
In this episode of The Admittedly Podcast, Thomas Caleel sits down with Sarah Bernbach, Associate Director of Advantage Testing's New York offices, to explore what more than two decades of tutoring has taught her about how students learn, build confidence, and find their voice. Drawing on 22…
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S5E25: How to Choose Your High School Classes for College Admissions | AP, IB, A-Levels & More
🎓 Need help building your academic and college admissions strategy? Learn more about Admittedly and how our team of former Ivy+ admissions officers helps students make strategic decisions Course selection is one of the most important—and often overlooked—parts of building a competitive college...
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S5E24: How to Start High School the Right Way: A 9th Grade Walkthrough to College Admissions
🎓 Want help building a thoughtful high school and college admissions strategy? Learn more about Admittedly and how our team of former Ivy+ admissions officers helps students and families plan academics, extracurriculars, summers, testing, college lists, applications, and more. Freshman year…
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S5E23: How to Approach Your College Application Essays (What Admissions Officers Notice & What to Avoid)
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S5E22: Are You Taking the Right Classes? How Course Selection Shapes Your College Admissions Chances
🎓 Want help building the right admissions strategy? Learn more about Admittedly and how our team of former Ivy+ admissions officers helps students make strategic decisions around course selection, extracurriculars, testing, college lists, applications, and more. - A strong GPA only tells part of...
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S5E21: How College Transfer Admissions Really Work | Strategy, Timing, & What Top Schools Look For
In this episode of The Admittedly Podcast, Thomas Caleel is joined by Sonam Aidasani, Director of Product & Strategy at Admittedly and former Duke admissions officer, to break down one of the most misunderstood areas of college admissions: transferring. Is transferring actually an easier way into…
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S5E20: The Middle School Advantage | How to Build the Right Foundation for College Admissions
To speak with an advisor and learn more about Admittedly's Middle School Program, book a Complimentary Strategy Call: https://admittedly.co/middle-school/ Parents often think college admissions starts in high school. In reality, many of the habits, skills, and decisions that shape a student's...
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S5E19: Can AI Tell Your Story For You? | AI, Authenticity, & the Human Storytelling That Connect Us All
To speak with an advisor and build a smarter college admissions strategy, book a Complimentary Strategy Call at: 👉 https://admittedly.co/path-to-admissions/ In this episode of The Admittedly Podcast, Thomas Caleel is joined by internationally recognized storytelling expert, podcaster, author…
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S5E18: The 6 Pillars of a Successful Common Application | The NEATER Framework
To speak with an advisor and build a smarter college admissions strategy, book a Complimentary Strategy Call at: 👉 apply.admittedly.co The Common Application is more than a collection of forms and essays; it's a strategic opportunity to tell a cohesive story about who you are and why you belong…
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S5E17: What Makes a Great College Essay? Storytelling, Authenticity, & Finding Your Voice | Interview With Charles Loxton From Advantage Testing
In this episode of The Admittedly Podcast, Thomas Caleel sits down with Charles Loxton, Chief Communications Officer at Advantage Testing and an experienced application consultant, to explore one of the most misunderstood parts of the admissions process: the college essay. Drawing on decades of...
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S5E16: Class of 2027: Summer Strategy, Essays, & The Mistakes That Derail Applications | Admissions Advice For Rising Seniors
To speak with an advisor and build a smarter college admissions strategy, book a Complimentary Strategy Call at: 👉 https://admittedly.co/path-to-admissions-organic/ In this episode of The Admittedly Podcast, Thomas Caleel speaks directly to rising seniors and their families about one of the most...
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S5E15: Admissions Essays Explained: What Admissions Officers Are Actually Looking For (& What Most Students Get Wrong)
To speak with an advisor and build a smarter college admissions strategy, book a Complimentary Strategy Call at: 👉 https://admittedly.co/path-to-admissions/ College application essays are one of the biggest opportunities students have to differentiate themselves in competitive admissions. In…
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S5E14: What 20+ Years Inside Admissions Taught Me: From Wharton MBA to Competitive Undergraduate Admissions
To speak with an advisor and build a smarter college admissions strategy, book a Complimentary Strategy Call at: 👉 admittedly.co/path-to-admissions/ In this episode of the Admittedly Podcast, Thomas Caleel answers a question we see a lot in our comments: "Why should families trust undergraduate...
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S5E13: Why Passion Projects, Research, and "Founder" Titles Are Failing Students (And What Admissions Officers Actually Value)
To speak with an advisor and build a smarter college admissions strategy, book a Complimentary Strategy Call at: 👉 https://admittedly.co/path-to-admissions/?utm_source=instagram&utm_medium=organic-social&utm_campaign=&utm_contentid= In this episode of the Admittedly Podcast, Thomas Caleel breaks...
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S5E12: Why Leadership Titles Are Losing Value in Modern College Admissions (And What Matters More)
To speak with an advisor and map out your student's next steps, book a Complimentary Strategy Call at: 👉 apply.admittedly.co In this episode of the Admittedly Podcast, Thomas Caleel breaks down why it feels like leadership titles are losing value in modern, holistic college admissions and what...
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S5E11: How Top Applicants Approach Extracurriculars: What Stands Out, What Blends In, & The Mindset That Actually Matters
To speak with an advisor and map out your student's next steps, book a Complimentary Strategy Call at admittedly.co/apply. In this episode of the Admittedly Podcast, Thomas Caleel breaks down one of the most misunderstood parts of college admissions: extracurricular activities. Families often...
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S5E10: ADHD, Executive Functioning, & College Readiness: What Parents Need to Know Before Senior Year
To speak with an advisor and map out your student's next steps, book a Complimentary Strategy Call at admittedly.co/apply. In this episode of the Admittedly Podcast, Thomas Caleel speaks with Mike McLeod, founder of GrowNOW ADHD, about the real factor that determines whether students thrive in...
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S5E9: How to Recover Your Admissions Strategy If You Fell Behind in High School (Course Rigor, GPA & Strategy)
To speak with an advisor and map out your student's next steps, book a Complimentary Strategy Call at admittedly.co/apply. In this episode of the Admittedly Podcast, Thomas Caleel tackles a question many students quietly worry about: What if I didn't take high school seriously early on and now…
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S5E9: What Exceptional Applicants Actually Do: How 5 Unique Students Beat the Odds in Ivy League Admissions
To speak with an advisor and map out your student's next steps, book a Complimentary Strategy Call at admittedly.co/apply. In this episode of the Admittedly Podcast, Thomas shares real stories from students he has worked with who reached their dream schools... sometimes in ways that surprised…
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S5E8: Inside the Minds of Elite Admissions Officers: How AOs Are Trained To Review Your Application (Interview with Former Duke AO)
To speak with an advisor and map out your student's next steps, book a Complimentary Strategy Call at admittedly.co/apply. In this episode of the Admittedly Podcast, Thomas sits down with Admittedly's Interim Director of College Counseling and former Senior Admissions Officer at Duke University,...
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S5E7: Why I Built Admittedly After 20 Years in College Admissions — and Where We're Going Next
To speak with an advisor and map out your student's next steps, book a Complimentary Strategy Call at admittedly.co/apply. In this episode of the Admittedly Podcast, Thomas Caleel steps away from tactical admissions advice to share the story behind Admittedly — how it started, why it exists, and...
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S5E6: What Parents Should Know About Academic Tutoring & Test Prep: Fit, Timing, & Real Progress
In this episode of The Admittedly Podcast, Thomas Caleel sits down with Kathy Yellen, Senior Program Consultant at Advantage Testing, to pull back the curtain on what most families misunderstand about tutoring and test prep. With 16 years at Advantage Testing and a background spanning early...
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S5E5: The Ivy+ Roadmap: How to Plan Ahead for Competitive Admissions (From 8th-11th Grade)
To speak with an advisor and map out your student's next steps, apply for a free Family Action Call with us at admittedly.co/apply. In this episode of the Admittedly Podcast, Thomas Caleel explores one of the most powerful but overlooked advantages in college admissions: planning ahead. Drawing…
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S5E4: Am I Doing Enough? The Right (And Wrong) Way to Approach Extracurricular Activities in Highschool
To speak with an advisor and map out your student's next steps, apply for a free Family Action Call with us at admittedly.co/apply. In this episode of the Admittedly Podcast, Thomas Caleel takes on one of the most misunderstood parts of college preparation: extracurricular activities. Parents…
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S5E3: Raising Resilient Kids: Nature Connections, Mental Health, and College Readiness with Mario Mendez of Wilderness Youth Project (WYP)
If you're ready to take the next step in your admissions journey, visit https://admittedly.co/apply to register for a free Family Action Call with one of our advisors. Parents worry about grades, test scores, and résumés. But underneath all of that, what really shapes a student who can thrive in...
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S5E2: Junior Year College Admissions Strategy: Balancing Academics, Counselors, and Activity Planning for Success
In this episode of the Admittedly Podcast, Thomas Caleel breaks down why junior year is the most consequential year in the college admissions process. As students are assigned college counselors and admissions timelines become real, he explains what juniors should be focused on right now — and...
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S5E1: New Year, New Goals: How to Take Control of College Admissions in 2026
Happy New Year, listeners! In this Season 5 premiere of the Admittedly Podcast, host Thomas Caleel kicks off the new year by addressing one of the most important questions students and families face: how to take control of the college admissions process instead of leaving outcomes to chance....
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S4E43: 10th Grade Check-In: Grades, Extracurriculars, and Planning for Competitive College Admissions
In this episode of the Admittedly Podcast, host Thomas Caleel walks sophomores and their families through a critical midyear check-in. With first semester complete and winter break underway, this is the moment to take an honest look at academics, extracurriculars, and overall direction before...
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S4E42: Inside the Mind of a Top Tutor: Why Students Struggle and How to Help Them Thrive (With Advantage Testing's Michelle Chasin)
In this episode of The Admittedly Podcast, Thomas Caleel speaks with Michelle Chasin, Associate Director of Advantage Testing New York and senior tutor with more than 30 years of experience working with high school students. Michelle specializes in tutor development, long-term academic…
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S4E41: Freshman Year Check-In: The Essential Guide to Grades, Activities & Summer Planning
In this episode of The Admittedly Podcast, host Thomas Caleel breaks down what freshmen (and their parents) should be thinking about as they wrap up their first semester of high school. From academic foundations to extracurricular exploration to strategic planning for summer, Thomas explains why...
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S4E40: Results Guaranteed? The Real Story Behind Stats, Success Rates, and College Consulting Claims
In this episode of the Admittedly Podcast, host Thomas Caleel breaks down one of the most confusing (and often misleading) parts of the college admissions landscape: how to evaluate a college consultant. With firms advertising guaranteed results, inflated acceptance lists, and "proprietary...
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S4E39: How to Plan a Strategic Summer (Before It's Too Late)
In this episode of the Admittedly Podcast, host Thomas Caleel explains why freshmen, sophomores, and juniors should begin planning their summer programs and activities long before spring. Drawing on decades of experience in college admissions, he breaks down what actually matters, what doesn't…
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S4E38: The Hidden Half of College Admissions: What Students Overlook (and What Actually Matters)
In this episode of The Admittedly Podcast, host Thomas Caleel reveals the hidden half of the college admissions process, the part most families never think about. Students spend years stacking achievements and building resumes, but the truth is that admissions officers care less about what you…
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S4E37: The 3 Biggest Mistakes Students Make in High School (And How to Fix Them Before Senior Year)
In this episode of The Admittedly Podcast, host Thomas Caleel breaks down the three most common mistakes he sees students make year after year in the college admissions process — and how to correct them before it's too late. Drawing on more than two decades of admissions experience, including his...
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S4E36: No, College Admissions Aren't Getting Easier in 2026: Here's What You CAN Control
In this episode of The Admittedly Podcast, host Thomas Caleel breaks down why college admissions at Ivy League and other top universities are more competitive than ever—and what students and parents can still control in the process. Despite social media myths about an "easier" year ahead, Thomas...
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S4E35: Confidence, Clarity, and College Admissions: Global Tutoring Insights with Advantage Testing's Matthew Demmer
In this episode of The Admittedly Podcast, Thomas Caleel speaks with Matthew Demmer, Associate Director of Advantage Testing New York and Director of Advantage Testing UK. With over 22 years of experience tutoring students across the U.S., U.K., and Middle East, Matt shares how one-on-one…
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S4E34: Inside the Review Room – How Admissions Officers Read Applications
In this episode of the Admittedly Podcast, host Thomas Caleel, former Director of MBA Admissions at Wharton, takes you behind the scenes of the admissions office to show how applications are actually read. From transcripts and essays to activities, recommendations, and test scores, Thomas…
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S4E33: Do The SAT and ACT Still Matter? Test Optional Policies and the Ivy League Explained
In this episode of The Admittedly Podcast, host Thomas Caleel unpacks one of the most debated topics in college admissions: test optional policies. Are they really leveling the playing field, or just creating more confusion? Drawing from his decades of admissions experience, Thomas explains how...
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S4E32: Applying to Columbia: How to Write Your 2025 Supplements For Success
In this episode of The Admittedly Podcast, host Thomas Caleel breaks down Columbia University's 2025 supplemental essays and guides you through how to approach each one strategically. From the famous "list question" to the diversity prompt, the disagreement essay, the adversity question, and the...
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S4E31: Cracking the UPenn Supplements: Thank-You Note & Community Essay Tips
In this episode of The Admittedly Podcast, host Thomas Caleel, former Director of MBA Admissions & Financial Aid at UPenn's Wharton School, breaks down the University of Pennsylvania's 2025 writing supplements and how to approach them strategically. Thomas explains how to make the most of Penn's...
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S4E30: Applying to Yale: A Guide to the Short Answers and Essays
In this episode of The Admittedly Podcast, host Thomas Caleel breaks down Yale's 2025 writing supplements and short answers so you can respond with clarity, strategy, and genuine voice. From selecting up to three academic areas on the application to explaining a topic that truly excites you…
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S4E29: How to Approach Harvard's 2025 Supplemental Essays for Admissions Success
In this episode of The Admittedly Podcast, host Thomas Caleel breaks down Harvard's five short-answer supplements and how to approach them strategically. Thomas explains how to respond authentically, avoid common traps, and show admissions officers exactly what makes you stand out. From Harvard's...
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S4E28: Stanford Supplements 2025: How to Approach Them (and What to Avoid)
In this episode of The Admittedly Podcast, host Thomas Caleel, former Director of MBA Admissions and Financial Aid at Wharton, walks through how to approach Stanford's three supplemental essay prompts — and the common mistakes that hold students back. Thomas explains how to write with…
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S4E27: Complacency or Commitment: The Choice That Defines Ivy+ Outcomes
In this episode of The Admittedly Podcast, host Thomas Caleel takes on a recurring theme in his conversations with students and families: complacency. For those aiming at Ivy+ and other highly selective schools, "coasting" is a red flag. Thomas unpacks why admissions officers notice when students...
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S4E26: The Joy of Tutoring: Arun Alagappan on Reducing Anxiety and Unlocking Potential
In this episode of the Admittedly Podcast, Thomas Caleel sits down with Arun Alagappan, founder and president of Advantage Testing, one of the most respected names in academic tutoring and test preparation. A Princeton and Harvard Law alum, Arun has spent nearly four decades redefining what...
About this show
Does thinking about applying to college, grad school, or prep school make your head spin? The Admittedly Podcast is for both parents and students preparing for or navigating school admissions. We aim to demystify the admissions process and share with you what you really need to know to succeed. Our host, Thomas Caleel, former director of MBA admissions and financial aid for the Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania, is here to help. He is a lifelong entrepreneur and CEO of a global admissions consulting agency where he works with families worldwide to help them achieve their educational goals. New episodes go live every Tuesday and Thursday. Learn from our guest speakers, live coaching sessions, and weekly solo episodes. Have admissions questions you'd like answered on the show? Apply to be coached by Thomas himself on one of our upcoming recordings. In this podcast, we don't promise easy answers or quick fixes. But with decades of experience under his belt, Thomas wil
Hosted by
Thomas Caleel