Admittedly: College Admissions with Thomas Caleel

Thomas Caleel
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Admittedly: College Admissions with 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 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. 19 NOV

    S3E20: Getting the Most out of Undergrad Interviews

    In this episode of the Admittedly podcast, host Thomas Caleel dives into the college interview process, offering insights for seniors navigating interview invites and juniors preparing for their future applications. From understanding the importance of interviews to tips for making a strong impression, Thomas shares practical advice to help students shine. Summary of Key Points: 1. Understand the Interview Process: Thomas explains the differences between interviews that count as evaluations versus alumni conversations. Knowing whether the interview plays a significant role in admissions helps students tailor their preparation and approach. 2. Professional Communication: Respond promptly and professionally to interview invitations. Thomas provides tips for crafting a thoughtful response to your interviewer, emphasizing the importance of clarity, courtesy, and preparedness. 3. Preparation is Key: Students should reread their essays, review their reasons for choosing the school, and research their interviewer if possible. Thomas also discusses how to approach commonly asked questions like "Tell me about yourself" in a structured and engaging way. 4. Engage Thoughtfully: Be ready to ask meaningful questions about the school and your interviewer’s experience. Avoid "Google questions" or overly technical queries. Instead, focus on topics that demonstrate intellectual curiosity and genuine interest. 5. Follow Up and Reflect: After the interview, send a personalized thank-you email or note. If there were unresolved questions during the interview, use the follow-up as an opportunity to provide answers or clarify any points. College interviews are an opportunity to showcase your personality and demonstrate your fit for a school. With preparation, thoughtful engagement, and professionalism, you can turn an interview into a standout moment in your application. For more tips and guidance, follow Thomas on Instagram and TikTok at @admittedlyco.

    15 min

  2. 11 NOV

    S3E19: College Application Planning Tips for Juniors

    In this episode of the "Admittedly" podcast, host Thomas Caleel speaks directly to high school juniors and their parents, offering actionable insights on preparing for the college admissions process. With a focus on planning and strategy, Thomas emphasizes steps that students can take now to set themselves up for success next fall. Summary of Key Points: 1. Planning and Academic Preparation: Thomas encourages juniors to think ahead by working backward from their goals, even if those goals are not yet fully defined. He discusses the importance of building a strong academic profile by taking challenging courses in areas related to intended college majors, understanding academic strengths and weaknesses, and developing relationships with teachers for future recommendations. 2. Strategic Testing Preparation: Juniors should begin preparing for standardized tests, selecting either the SAT or ACT based on practice test performance and comfort with the format. Thomas highlights the importance of consistent study, understanding test structures, and being strategic about test dates to achieve the best possible scores. 3. Extracurricular Depth and Leadership: Thomas stresses the value of focusing on a few meaningful extracurricular activities, preferably with leadership roles or community engagement beyond school clubs. Genuine commitment and demonstrated impact, rather than superficial "passion projects," are key to standing out in the admissions process. 4. Planning for Summer and Building on Experience: With summer approaching, Thomas suggests seeking meaningful internships, selective programs, or impactful work experiences. Avoiding pay-to-play programs, juniors should focus on intentional, resume-building activities that reflect genuine interests and make a difference in their communities. Thomas urges juniors to start planning now for their own admissions journey, emphasizing the importance of intentionality and self-reflection. By strategically preparing academically, investing in meaningful extracurriculars, and building strong test scores, students can put their best foot forward when the time comes. Follow @admittedlyco on Instagram and TikTok for ongoing tips and guidance throughout the college admissions process. About Thomas Caleel: Thomas is an alumnus of the University of Pennsylvania. After earning his MBA at the Wharton School of Business in 2003, he moved to Silicon Valley. For three years, he was Director of MBA Admissions and Financial Aid at Wharton. He worked closely with admissions professionals, students, alumni, and professors to curate the best possible MBA class. Thomas has been an entrepreneur his entire life in the fields of finance, agriculture, wellness, and sporting goods. As the founder of Global Education Opportunities LLC, he works as a high-level admissions advisor to help families and students achieve their education goals. Thomas started the podcast Admittedly because he is passionate about demystifying the application process for all parents and applicants.

    28 min

  3. 27 SEPT

    S3E18: Getting Creative with the UChicago Supplement (2024)

    In this episode of the "Admittedly" podcast, host Thomas Caleel explores the unique and creative nature of the University of Chicago supplement, offering advice on how to approach the school's open-ended and thought-provoking essay prompts. He discusses the value of creativity and how to craft responses that reflect the university's intellectual spirit. Summary of Key Points: 1. Embrace Creativity: The University of Chicago supplement encourages applicants to think outside the box, offering an "unlimited universe" of prompts, or even the chance to create your own. Thomas emphasizes the importance of being genuinely creative, using fresh ideas to challenge conventional thinking, and crafting a response that reflects your unique perspective on the world. 2. How UChicago Fits You: In the second question, applicants are asked how the University of Chicago’s educational environment aligns with their intellectual goals. Thomas advises linking the creative energy from the first essay to your academic aspirations, demonstrating how UChicago’s offerings will help you grow and achieve your personal goals. The University of Chicago supplement is a chance to showcase your creativity and intellectual curiosity. By embracing the freedom of the prompts and crafting an essay that aligns with UChicago’s values, you can stand out as a fearless, unique thinker. For more insights and tips on college admissions, follow @admittedlypodcast on TikTok and Instagram.

    5 min

  4. 26 SEPT

    S3E17: How to Get into Brown University (2024)

    In this episode of the "Admittedly" podcast, host Thomas Caleel provides an in-depth analysis of the Brown University supplement. He highlights the unique aspects of Brown's educational philosophy, particularly the open curriculum, and offers advice on how to approach each of the supplemental essay prompts. Summary of Key Points: 1. The Open Curriculum: Brown's open curriculum offers students the freedom to design their own academic path. Thomas emphasizes the importance of understanding this concept deeply and explains how applicants can illustrate why this educational model suits them and their goals. 2. Community and Growth: The second essay allows applicants to share a meaningful aspect of their background and how it will contribute to the Brown community. Thomas encourages applicants to focus on their personal growth and identity, and how these experiences will shape their engagement on campus. 3. What Brings You Joy: For the third essay, Brown asks applicants to discuss what brings them joy. Thomas advises students to dig deep into the core of what drives their passions and tie that positivity and energy to how they envision their future at Brown. 4. Short Answer Questions: Brown’s short answers include describing yourself in three words, discussing a meaningful extracurricular activity, and imagining a class you would teach. Thomas stresses the importance of showing personality and creativity, while maintaining consistency across the entire application. 5. Why Brown (in One Sentence): The final challenge is explaining why Brown is the right fit in just one sentence. Thomas encourages applicants to express their connection to Brown’s unique values and educational model simply and directly, from the heart. The Brown supplement is an opportunity to showcase how you’ll thrive in the open curriculum and engage with the Brown community. By following Thomas's advice, applicants can craft a thoughtful, authentic application that reflects their fit for Brown. For more insights and tips on college admissions, follow @admittedlypodcast on TikTok and Instagram.

    7 min

  5. 17 SEPT

    S3E16: Answering the Johns Hopkins Supplement (2024)

    In this episode of the "Admittedly" podcast, host Thomas Caleel breaks down the Johns Hopkins supplement, focusing on how to strategically approach its two-part question. He emphasizes the importance of integrating your life experience with your academic goals to create a cohesive narrative. Summary of Key Points: Integration of Community and Academics: Thomas stresses the importance of connecting your personal background and identity to your academic interests, showing how your experiences have shaped your passion for a particular field of study. Strategic Structure: Rather than separating the two parts of the question, Thomas encourages blending them into a unified essay that tells a story of how your life experience has guided your academic journey and future aspirations. The Johns Hopkins supplement offers applicants a chance to reflect on how their life experiences and community have influenced their academic interests. By crafting a well-integrated essay, applicants can show how their journey has led them to Johns Hopkins and how their goals align with what the university has to offer. For more insights on creating strong applications, follow @admittedlypodcast on TikTok and Instagram.

    3 min

  6. 15 SEPT

    S3E15: Tips for the Stanford Supplement (2024)

    In this episode of the "Admittedly" podcast, host Thomas Caleel takes on the Stanford supplement, providing advice on how to approach its famous questions. Thomas highlights how to stand out by showing intellectual curiosity, personal engagement, and a strong connection to the Stanford community. Summary of Key Points: 1. Reflecting on an Experience that Excites You About Learning: Stanford seeks students who are genuinely excited about learning. Thomas advises applicants to reflect on a meaningful experience that sparked their intellectual curiosity. It’s less about what you want to major in and more about what drives your passion for learning. 2. The Roommate Question: Thomas suggests that instead of listing random facts about yourself, use this essay to show how you’ll engage with the Stanford community. Whether it's joining a club or pursuing a quirky passion, make sure your response demonstrates how you'll interact with your peers and contribute to campus life. 3. Distinctive Contribution to Stanford: This essay asks how you will make an impact on the Stanford community. Thomas encourages students to think deeply about what makes them unique and how that uniqueness translates into contributions to Stanford. Focus on your passions, causes, or ideas you want to bring to life at Stanford, showing how you’ll be an engaged, impactful member of the community. The Stanford supplement challenges applicants to reflect on their intellectual curiosity and potential contributions to campus life. By following Thomas Caleel’s guidance, students can write essays that authentically show how they will thrive and contribute to Stanford’s vibrant community. For more insights and tips on college admissions, follow @admittedlypodcast on TikTok and Instagram.

    4 min

  7. 13 SEPT

    S3E14: How to Answer the Yale Supplement (2024)

    In this episode of the "Admittedly" podcast, host Thomas Caleel breaks down the Yale University supplement, guiding applicants through the nuances of both the short and longer essay questions. He emphasizes the importance of research, personal reflection, and thoughtful responses to create a cohesive narrative that resonates with the admissions committee. Summary of Key Points: 1. "Why Yale" Essay: This standard "Why this school?" essay requires thorough research on what makes Yale a unique fit for your academic and personal goals. Thomas advises avoiding generic praise and instead connecting Yale’s offerings to your specific interests and future plans. 2. Yale Short Takes (200 characters each): What inspires you?: Be genuine and concise—choose something that reflects who you are without overthinking it. If you could teach any college course…: Show your intellectual curiosity and have fun. The course should reflect something unique to your interests. Significant influence (non-family member): Focus on someone meaningful in your life—someone who has truly impacted you in a way you can express clearly and briefly. What’s not included in your application?: This can be a lighthearted or fun fact about yourself, offering insight into a unique or quirky aspect of your personality. 3. Longer Yale Essay (400 words): Disagreeing with someone: It's important to discuss how you handled the disagreement and what you learned, regardless of whether you "won." Yale values intellectual flexibility and growth. Membership in a community: Clearly define your community and then focus on your role within it. Your definition of community can be broad, but your connection to it must be personal and meaningful. Reflection on an unmentioned experience: This essay should dive deeper into an aspect of your lived experience or identity that hasn’t been addressed elsewhere in your application. Yale is looking for how this unique part of you will enrich the campus community. The Yale supplement provides an opportunity for applicants to showcase both their intellectual curiosity and their personal identity. By following Thomas Caleel’s advice, students can craft focused, thoughtful essays that highlight what makes them a perfect fit for Yale’s community. For more insights and tips on college admissions, follow @admittedlypodcast on TikTok and Instagram.

    7 min

  8. 8 SEPT

    S3E13: The Best Approach to the Cornell Supplement (2024)

    In this episode of the "Admittedly" podcast, host Thomas Caleel explores the Cornell supplement essay, which asks applicants to discuss a community that is meaningful to them. With a 350-word limit, Thomas offers guidance on how to effectively narrow down your focus and craft a compelling narrative that reflects your personal identity and how it will shape your experience at Cornell. Summary of Key Points: 1. Selecting the Right Community: Cornell's essay invites you to discuss a community that is significant to you. Thomas advises selecting one or two key communities to focus on, ensuring your essay remains concise and impactful within the 350-word limit. 2. Personalizing Your Community: It's essential to define your chosen community not just in general terms but in a way that highlights its unique significance to you. Thomas emphasizes the importance of discussing how this community has influenced your life, your perspective, and your journey to this point. 3. Connecting to Cornell: Thomas encourages applicants to tie their community experience to their future at Cornell, whether through academic pursuits, campus activities, or clubs. Demonstrating how your background will inform your contributions to the Cornell community is key to a successful essay. 4. Understanding the Prompt: Cornell provides a broad definition of community, encompassing family, school, shared interests, virtual spaces, and more. Thomas reminds listeners to read the prompt carefully, as it reveals what the university values and seeks in its applicants. 5. Bringing Your Experience to Life: Your essay should reflect both the positive and negative aspects of your community experience, showcasing how these experiences have shaped you. Thomas advises being honest and introspective, as this will help convey a more authentic and relatable narrative. The Cornell supplement is an opportunity to share a meaningful aspect of your identity and how it will influence your contributions at Cornell. By following Thomas Caleel’s advice, applicants can craft a focused, personal, and impactful essay that resonates with admissions officers. For more insights and tips on college admissions, follow @admittedlypodcast on TikTok and Instagram.

    4 min
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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.

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