Admittedly: College Admissions with Thomas Caleel

Thomas Caleel
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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 will address the practical aspects of applying to school and how to think like an admissions officer to improve your college or prep school application.

  1. 2 DAYS AGO

    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 explains what admissions officers focus on and how they build a three-dimensional picture of each applicant. Key Takeaways: Applications are often reviewed in just three to five minutes, so clarity and strategy matter. Transcripts are scored separately, then weighed alongside essays, activities, and recommendations. Admissions officers don’t always read in order—they jump across sections to connect the dots. Context matters: family responsibilities, school resources, and personal chall enges shape how an application is viewed. Strong recommendations highlight character and classroom presence, not just academic success. Additional essays should clarify key details, not overload with extra information. The best applications give admissions officers a clear, memorable story they can advocate for in committee. Whether you’re aiming at Ivy League and T20 schools, or simply want to understand how admissions officers evaluate files at competitive colleges, this episode will help you prepare an application that works under real review conditions. Follow us on Instagram and TikTok @admittedlyco for more admissions insights, and visit www.admittedly.co for free resources, webinars, and expert guidance.

    22 min

  2. 6 DAYS AGO

    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 test optional began, what it means for students today, and why the future of standardized testing is shifting once again. Key Takeaways The Origins of Test Optional: COVID-19 accelerated the move away from testing, with schools adopting test optional to expand diversity and boost application numbers. Equity and Access: Standardized tests often disadvantage lower-income students due to differences in tutoring access, prep resources, and early exposure to academic vocabulary. The Reality vs. PR: Colleges also use test optional strategically: to lower admit rates, attract more applicants, and keep flexibility for admits such as athletes or donor-linked students. Why Test Scores Still Matter: Strong SAT/ACT results can offset weaker grades, help combat grade inflation, and provide admissions officers with a clearer measure of academic readiness. Who Benefits from Test Optional: Policies may help first-gen, low-income, or students with extenuating circumstances — but for many, not submitting scores can raise red flags. The Road Ahead: Elite schools like MIT, Yale, and Dartmouth are reinstating test requirements. For 2025 and beyond, students should treat testing as essential. Practical Advice for Students: Start preparing early. Use free tools like Khan Academy, peer tutoring, or paid resources. Build consistency and discipline, because “hope is not a strategy.” Test optional policies may change, but one thing remains constant: preparation and intentional strategy make all the difference. Follow us on Instagram and TikTok @admittedlyco for more admissions guidance, and visit www.admittedly.co for free resources, webinars, and expert support as you plan your college journey.

    20 min

  3. 19 SEPT

    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 two-part “Why Columbia” response, Thomas explains how to build thoughtful, authentic answers that actually help you stand out. You’ll hear why your list should balance intellectual depth with curiosity, how to write about disagreement and adversity without falling into cliché or forced resolution, and how to go beyond “I want to live in New York” when describing why Columbia is the right school for you. Whether you’re just beginning your Columbia application or finalizing your essays, this episode will give you the clarity to be intentional, compelling, and memorable in a highly competitive applicant pool. Follow us on Instagram and TikTok @admittedlyco for more essay tips, and visit www.admittedly.co for webinars, resources, and guidance on applying to Columbia and other highly selective schools.

    9 min

  4. 19 SEPT

    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 two required prompts: the “Thank You Note” and the Community Essay. You’ll learn why the thank-you letter should be written last, how to use it to reveal an untold part of your story, and how to reflect thoughtfully on sharing gratitude with someone who has impacted your life. He also dives into the community question and how to tie your personal background and interests to Penn’s collaborative, urban campus culture (without resorting to a laundry list of clubs or clichés). From West Philadelphia connections to Penn-specific opportunities, this episode shows you how to write responses that feel intentional, personal, and connected to your broader application strategy. Follow us on Instagram and TikTok @admittedlyco for more application advice, and visit www.admittedly.co for webinars, resources, and expert guidance on applying to Penn and other Ivy+ Schools.

    7 min

  5. 18 SEPT

    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, Thomas shows how to demonstrate curiosity without becoming monothematic and how to tie your interests authentically to Yale. You’ll hear practical guidance for the “why Yale” short answer, how to keep the 200-character list questions fresh and human, and how to choose among the 400-word prompts without stumbling into confrontational or cliché territory. Thomas also flags common traps to avoid: performative “voluntourism,” repetitive inspiration answers, and vague claims that do not map to your actual record. Whether you are just starting your Yale application or refining final drafts, this episode helps you use the catalog wisely, show cross-disciplinary curiosity, and pick details that make an admissions officer remember you. Follow us on Instagram and TikTok @admittedlyco for more essay tips, and visit www.admittedly.co for webinars, resources, and guidance on applying to Yale and other highly selective schools.

    16 min

  6. 18 SEPT

    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 diversity question to the “disagree with someone” prompt, extracurricular reflections, and roommate insights, this episode helps students connect their story to Harvard’s mission and values. Whether you are starting your Harvard application or polishing your final drafts, this episode gives you practical guidance for writing with clarity, depth, and purpose. Follow us on Instagram and TikTok @admittedlyco for more essay tips, and visit www.admittedly.co for webinars, resources, and expert support for applying to Harvard and other Ivy League schools.

    8 min

  7. 17 SEPT

    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 authenticity, connect your story to the Stanford community, and avoid cliché answers that admissions officers have read thousands of times. From the “intellectual curiosity” prompt to the roommate essay and the diversity question, this episode is a practical guide to building stronger, more intentional responses. Whether you are just starting your Stanford application or polishing your final drafts, this episode will help you approach these essays strategically, stay authentic, and make a lasting impression. Follow us on Instagram and TikTok @admittedlyco for more essay tips, and visit www.admittedly.co for webinars, resources, and guidance on applying to Stanford and other highly selective schools.

    6 min

  8. 9 SEPT

    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 take their foot off the gas, how drifting summers and watered-down academics hurt an application, and the difference between burnout, changing direction, and simply checking out. He also explains what top schools actually want to see: consistency, curiosity, and commitment to meaningful growth. Key Takeaways: Why admissions officers notice when you take your foot off the gas How summers, academics, and extracurriculars reveal your engagement (or lack of it) How to prune activities, focus your time, and avoid becoming one-dimensional What Ivy League and highly selective schools really want to see in your application You don’t need to do everything. But you can’t afford to coast. Have questions or thoughts on this? Engage with us on Instagram and TikTok @admittedlyco — we want to hear your perspective on complacency and what keeps you motivated. For more support and resources, visit www.admittedly.co

    16 min
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About

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 will address the practical aspects of applying to school and how to think like an admissions officer to improve your college or prep school application.

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