Podcast

Admittedly: College Admissions with Thomas Caleel

Author: Thomas Caleel
Feed episode count: 136
Official site: https://sites.libsyn.com/461571
RSS: https://feeds.libsyn.com/461571/rss
JSON: /v1/public/podcasts/admittedly-college-admissions-with-thomas-caleel-6069707
Markdown: /podcast/admittedly-college-admissions-with-thomas-caleel-6069707.md

Summary

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.

Episodes

May 15, 2026 · not_requested

S5E13: Why Passion Projects, Research, and "Founder" Titles Are Failing Students (And What Admissions Officers Actually Value)

Duration seconds: 1438
Source: https://0d82b450-fcc2-4086-b871-7e76ac366a12.libsyn.com/s5e13-why-passion-projects-research-and-founder-titles-are-failing-students-and-what-admissions-officers-actually-value

HTML Markdown JSON

Apr 25, 2026 · not_requested

S5E12: Why Leadership Titles Are Losing Value in Modern College Admissions (And What Matters More)

Duration seconds: 1142
Source: https://0d82b450-fcc2-4086-b871-7e76ac366a12.libsyn.com/s5e12-why-leadership-titles-are-losing-value-in-modern-college-admissions-and-what-matters-more

HTML Markdown JSON

Apr 11, 2026 · not_requested

S5E11: How Top Applicants Approach Extracurriculars: What Stands Out, What Blends In, & The Mindset That Actually Matters

Duration seconds: 1406
Source: https://0d82b450-fcc2-4086-b871-7e76ac366a12.libsyn.com/s5e11-how-top-applicants-approach-extracurriculars-what-stands-out-what-blends-in-the-mindset-that-actually-matters

HTML Markdown JSON

Apr 3, 2026 · not_requested

S5E10: ADHD, Executive Functioning, & College Readiness: What Parents Need to Know Before Senior Year

Duration seconds: 2444
Source: https://0d82b450-fcc2-4086-b871-7e76ac366a12.libsyn.com/s5e10-adhd-executive-functioning-college-readiness-what-parents-need-to-know-before-senior-year

HTML Markdown JSON

Mar 20, 2026 · not_requested

S5E9: How to Recover Your Admissions Strategy If You Fell Behind in High School (Course Rigor, GPA & Strategy)

Duration seconds: 833
Source: https://0d82b450-fcc2-4086-b871-7e76ac366a12.libsyn.com/s5e9-how-to-recover-your-admissions-strategy-if-you-fell-behind-in-high-school-course-rigor-gpa-strategy

HTML Markdown JSON

Mar 12, 2026 · not_requested

S5E9: What Exceptional Applicants Actually Do: How 5 Unique Students Beat the Odds in Ivy League Admissions

Duration seconds: 1573
Source: https://0d82b450-fcc2-4086-b871-7e76ac366a12.libsyn.com/s5e9-what-exceptional-applicants-actually-do-how-5-unique-students-beat-the-odds-in-ivy-league-admissions

HTML Markdown JSON

Feb 21, 2026 · not_requested

S5E8: Inside the Minds of Elite Admissions Officers: How AOs Are Trained To Review Your Application (Interview with Former Duke AO)

Duration seconds: 1921
Source: https://0d82b450-fcc2-4086-b871-7e76ac366a12.libsyn.com/s5e8-inside-the-minds-of-elite-admissions-officers-how-aos-are-trained-to-review-your-application-interview-with-former-duke-ao

HTML Markdown JSON

Feb 11, 2026 · not_requested

S5E7: Why I Built Admittedly After 20 Years in College Admissions — and Where We're Going Next

Duration seconds: 1402
Source: https://0d82b450-fcc2-4086-b871-7e76ac366a12.libsyn.com/s5e7-why-i-built-admittedly-after-20-years-in-college-admissions-and-where-were-going-next

HTML Markdown JSON

Feb 3, 2026 · not_requested

S5E6: What Parents Should Know About Academic Tutoring & Test Prep: Fit, Timing, & Real Progress

Duration seconds: 1441
Source: https://0d82b450-fcc2-4086-b871-7e76ac366a12.libsyn.com/s5e6-what-parents-should-know-about-academic-tutoring-test-prep-fit-timing-real-progress

HTML Markdown JSON

Jan 29, 2026 · not_requested

S5E5: The Ivy+ Roadmap: How to Plan Ahead for Competitive Admissions (From 8th-11th Grade)

Duration seconds: 1405
Source: https://0d82b450-fcc2-4086-b871-7e76ac366a12.libsyn.com/s5e5-the-ivy-roadmap-how-to-plan-ahead-for-competitive-admissions-from-8th-11th-grade

HTML Markdown JSON

Jan 21, 2026 · not_requested

S5E4: Am I Doing Enough? The Right (And Wrong) Way to Approach Extracurricular Activities in Highschool

Duration seconds: 1441
Source: https://0d82b450-fcc2-4086-b871-7e76ac366a12.libsyn.com/s5e4-am-i-doing-enough-the-right-and-wrong-way-to-approach-extracurricular-activities-in-highschool

HTML Markdown JSON

Jan 13, 2026 · not_requested

S5E3: Raising Resilient Kids: Nature Connections, Mental Health, and College Readiness with Mario Mendez of Wilderness Youth Project (WYP)

Duration seconds: 3019
Source: https://0d82b450-fcc2-4086-b871-7e76ac366a12.libsyn.com/s5e3-raising-resilient-kids-nature-connections-mental-health-and-college-readiness-with-mario-mendez-of-wilderness-youth-project-wyp

HTML Markdown JSON

Jan 6, 2026 · not_requested

S5E2: Junior Year College Admissions Strategy: Balancing Academics, Counselors, and Activity Planning for Success

Duration seconds: 1139
Source: https://0d82b450-fcc2-4086-b871-7e76ac366a12.libsyn.com/s5e2-junior-year-college-admissions-strategy-academics-counselors-and-activity-planning

HTML Markdown JSON

Dec 30, 2025 · not_requested

S5E1: New Year, New Goals: How to Take Control of College Admissions in 2026

Duration seconds: 1362
Source: https://0d82b450-fcc2-4086-b871-7e76ac366a12.libsyn.com/s5e1-new-year-new-goals-how-to-take-control-of-college-admissions-in-2026

HTML Markdown JSON

Dec 17, 2025 · not_requested

S4E43: 10th Grade Check-In: Grades, Extracurriculars, and Planning for Competitive College Admissions

Duration seconds: 1030
Source: https://0d82b450-fcc2-4086-b871-7e76ac366a12.libsyn.com/s4e43-10th-grade-check-in-grades-extracurriculars-and-planning-for-competitive-college-admissions

HTML Markdown JSON

Dec 9, 2025 · not_requested

S4E42: Inside the Mind of a Top Tutor: Why Students Struggle and How to Help Them Thrive (With Advantage Testing's Michelle Chasin)

Duration seconds: 1811
Source: https://0d82b450-fcc2-4086-b871-7e76ac366a12.libsyn.com/s4e42-inside-the-mind-of-a-top-tutor-why-students-struggle-and-how-to-help-them-thrive-with-advantage-testings-michelle-chasin

HTML Markdown JSON

Dec 2, 2025 · not_requested

S4E41: Freshman Year Check-In: The Essential Guide to Grades, Activities & Summer Planning

Duration seconds: 1256
Source: https://0d82b450-fcc2-4086-b871-7e76ac366a12.libsyn.com/s4e41-freshman-year-check-in-the-essential-guide-to-grades-activities-summer-planning

HTML Markdown JSON

Nov 25, 2025 · not_requested

S4E40: Results Guaranteed? The Real Story Behind Stats, Success Rates, and College Consulting Claims

Duration seconds: 1213
Source: https://0d82b450-fcc2-4086-b871-7e76ac366a12.libsyn.com/s4e40-results-guaranteed-the-real-story-behind-stats-success-rates-and-college-consulting-claims

HTML Markdown JSON

Nov 18, 2025 · not_requested

S4E39: How to Plan a Strategic Summer (Before It's Too Late)

Duration seconds: 1212
Source: https://0d82b450-fcc2-4086-b871-7e76ac366a12.libsyn.com/s4e39-how-to-plan-a-strategic-summer-before-its-too-late

HTML Markdown JSON

Nov 4, 2025 · not_requested

S4E38: The Hidden Half of College Admissions: What Students Overlook (and What Actually Matters)

Duration seconds: 1084
Source: https://0d82b450-fcc2-4086-b871-7e76ac366a12.libsyn.com/s4e38-the-hidden-half-of-college-admissions-what-students-overlook-and-what-actually-matters

HTML Markdown JSON

Oct 28, 2025 · not_requested

S4E37: The 3 Biggest Mistakes Students Make in High School (And How to Fix Them Before Senior Year)

Duration seconds: 969
Source: https://0d82b450-fcc2-4086-b871-7e76ac366a12.libsyn.com/s4e37-the-3-biggest-mistakes-students-make-in-high-school-and-how-to-fix-them-before-senior-year

HTML Markdown JSON

Oct 21, 2025 · not_requested

S4E36: No, College Admissions Aren't Getting Easier in 2026: Here's What You CAN Control

Duration seconds: 1320
Source: https://0d82b450-fcc2-4086-b871-7e76ac366a12.libsyn.com/s4e36-no-college-admissions-arent-getting-easier-in-2026-heres-what-you-can-control

HTML Markdown JSON

Oct 7, 2025 · not_requested

S4E35: Confidence, Clarity, and College Admissions: Global Tutoring Insights with Advantage Testing's Matthew Demmer

Duration seconds: 1742
Source: https://0d82b450-fcc2-4086-b871-7e76ac366a12.libsyn.com/s4e35-confidence-clarity-and-college-admissions-global-tutoring-insights-with-advantage-testings-matthew-demmer

HTML Markdown JSON

Sep 30, 2025 · not_requested

S4E34: Inside the Review Room – How Admissions Officers Read Applications

Duration seconds: 1323
Source: https://0d82b450-fcc2-4086-b871-7e76ac366a12.libsyn.com/s4e34-inside-the-review-room-how-admissions-officers-read-applications

HTML Markdown JSON

Sep 26, 2025 · not_requested

S4E33: Do The SAT and ACT Still Matter? Test Optional Policies and the Ivy League Explained

Duration seconds: 1191
Source: https://0d82b450-fcc2-4086-b871-7e76ac366a12.libsyn.com/s4e33-do-the-sat-and-act-still-matter-test-optional-policies-and-the-ivy-league-explained

HTML Markdown JSON