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.
- Update frequency
- every 5 days
- Average duration
- 17 minutes
- Episodes
- 106
- Years Active
- 2023 - 2025
S4E7: Maximizing College Guidance: School Counselors & Outside Experts
In this episode of the Admittedly Podcast, host Thomas Caleel takes a deep dive into one of the most important questions in the college admissions process: What’s the difference between a school coun…
S4E6: Doing Extracurriculars Right (and Wrong)
In this episode of the Admittedly Podcast, host Thomas Caleel, former Director of MBA Admissions and Financial Aid at UPenn’s Wharton School, delves into the pivotal role of extracurricular activitie…
S4E5: Are Safety Schools Actually Safe?
In this episode of the Admittedly Podcast, host Thomas Caleel, former Director of MBA Admissions and Financial Aid at UPenn’s Wharton School, tackles the topic of safety schools. Thomas explores how …
S4E4: Who IS Thomas Caleel? Revisiting Our 'Why'
In this episode of the Admittedly Podcast, host Thomas Caleel takes a moment to reintroduce himself. With so many new listeners joining our community, it’s the perfect time to revisit the story behin…
S4E3: What's The Deal With Deferrals?
In this episode of the Admittedly Podcast, host Thomas Caleel dives deeper into deferrals. He breaks down what deferrals are, why schools do it, and what it means for YOU!
Key Takeaways:
Deferrals Ar…
S4E2: Expanding the Ivy League Isn't That Simple
In this episode of the Admittedly Podcast, host Thomas Caleel explores the question, “Why doesn’t the Ivy League expand?” As a former Director of MBA Admissions at UPenn’s Wharton School, Thomas offe…
S4E1: Let's Talk About Transferring
In this episode of the Admittedly Podcast, host Thomas Caleel explores the workings of transferring colleges. He breaks down the process of transferring, why schools do it, why you might care, and an…
S3E26: You Asked, We Answered
In this episode of the Admittedly Podcast, host Thomas Caleel answers listener questions from Instagram and TikTok (@admittedlyco) on a range of topics surrounding the college admissions process. He …
S3E25: College Admissions Have Changed. But How?
In this episode of the Admittedly Podcast, host Thomas Caleel explores the evolving college admissions landscape, comparing the challenges of today’s process with that of previous generations. He off…
S3E24: Managing Stress in College Admissions
In this episode of The Admittedly Podcast, Thomas Caleel addresses the growing pressures high school students feel during the college admissions process. Exploring the sources of this stress—whether …
S3E23: Is an Ivy League Education Worth It?
In this episode of The Admittedly Podcast, Thomas Caleel delves into the ongoing debate surrounding Ivy League education. He explores the allure, benefits, and potential drawbacks of attending an Ivy…
S3E22: Don't Be Afraid of Your Admissions Essays!
In this episode of the Admittedly Podcast, host Thomas Caleel emphasizes the critical role of courage in crafting standout college application essays. Drawing from his experience reviewing thousands …
S3E21: Why (and How) You Should Plan Ahead
In this episode, Thomas provides a detailed roadmap for parents to support their children throughout high school to maximize success in the college admissions process. Addressing each high school yea…
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 futu…
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.…
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-e…
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, p…
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…
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 showi…
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 emp…