{"podcast":{"title":"Admittedly: College Admissions with Thomas Caleel","slug":"admittedly-college-admissions-with-thomas-caleel-6069707","podcast_index_feed_id":6069707,"rss_url":"https://feeds.libsyn.com/461571/rss","website_url":"https://sites.libsyn.com/461571","image_url":"https://static.libsyn.com/p/assets/7/0/7/9/70790ea0084cb796a04421dee9605cbd/AP_cover_art.png","author":"Thomas Caleel","episode_count":136,"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.","last_synced_at":null,"page_url":"https://stenobird.com/podcast/admittedly-college-admissions-with-thomas-caleel-6069707"},"episode":{"title":"S4E36: No, College Admissions Aren't Getting Easier in 2026: Here's What You CAN Control","slug":"s4e36-no-college-admissions-aren-t-getting-easier-in-2026-here-s-what-you-can-control","published_at":"2025-10-21T18:08:00+00:00","page_url":"https://stenobird.com/podcast/admittedly-college-admissions-with-thomas-caleel-6069707/s4e36-no-college-admissions-aren-t-getting-easier-in-2026-here-s-what-you-can-control","show_page_url":"https://stenobird.com/podcast/admittedly-college-admissions-with-thomas-caleel-6069707","url":"https://0d82b450-fcc2-4086-b871-7e76ac366a12.libsyn.com/s4e36-no-college-admissions-arent-getting-easier-in-2026-heres-what-you-can-control","audio_url":"https://traffic.libsyn.com/secure/0d82b450-fcc2-4086-b871-7e76ac366a12/S4E36-_No_College_Admissions_Arent_Getting_Easier_in_2026-_Heres_What_You_Can_Control_.mp3?dest-id=3894051","summary":"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 explains why application numbers remain high, selectivity rates are dropping, and grade inflation is blurring academic distinctions. Drawing on decades of admissions experience, he reveals how to focus on what actually moves the needle: differentiation, strategy, and authentic engagement. Key Takeaways: Admit Rates Stay Low: Even with visa changes and testing shifts, top schools like Columbia, Penn, and Stanford continue to see rising applications and falling admit rates. The qualified applicant pool is bigger, not smaller. Qualified Isn't Enough: Perfect grades and test scores don't guarantee admission anymore. What separates top candidates is coherence—the ability to connect activities, essays, and recommendations into a clear, intentional story. Differentiate or Disappear: Students who follow formulas or copy peers' paths blend into the crowd. The strongest applicants take risks, pursue genuine interests deeply, and craft an application that reflects individuality, not perfection. Parents, Step Back Strategically: Thomas offers a direct message to parents—how to support without pressuring, and why old admissions playbooks no longer apply. Honest evaluation, early preparation, and outside perspective are key. Control What You Can: Grades and scores matter, but the true edge lies in strategy—building academic rigor, refining narratives, and making decisions with long-term intention. Admissions to top universities aren't getting easier. But with clarity, focus, and the right ap…","meta_description":"In this episode of The Admittedly Podcast, host Thomas Caleel breaks down why college admissions at Ivy League and other top universities are more competi…","key_points":[],"chapters":[],"topics":[],"duration_seconds":1320,"processing_state":"not_requested","actions":[{"name":"request_transcript","method":"POST","url":"https://stenobird.com/v1/public/podcasts/admittedly-college-admissions-with-thomas-caleel-6069707/episodes/s4e36-no-college-admissions-aren-t-getting-easier-in-2026-here-s-what-you-can-control/transcription-requests","description":"Idempotently request low-priority transcript generation for this episode."},{"name":"read_markdown","method":"GET","url":"https://stenobird.com/podcast/admittedly-college-admissions-with-thomas-caleel-6069707/s4e36-no-college-admissions-aren-t-getting-easier-in-2026-here-s-what-you-can-control.md","description":"Read the agent-friendly Markdown representation of this episode resource."}]}}