{"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":"S5E12: Why Leadership Titles Are Losing Value in Modern College Admissions (And What Matters More)","slug":"s5e12-why-leadership-titles-are-losing-value-in-modern-college-admissions-and-what-matters-more","published_at":"2026-04-25T00:00:00+00:00","page_url":"https://stenobird.com/podcast/admittedly-college-admissions-with-thomas-caleel-6069707/s5e12-why-leadership-titles-are-losing-value-in-modern-college-admissions-and-what-matters-more","show_page_url":"https://stenobird.com/podcast/admittedly-college-admissions-with-thomas-caleel-6069707","url":"https://0d82b450-fcc2-4086-b871-7e76ac366a12.libsyn.com/s5e12-why-leadership-titles-are-losing-value-in-modern-college-admissions-and-what-matters-more","audio_url":"https://traffic.libsyn.com/secure/0d82b450-fcc2-4086-b871-7e76ac366a12/LIBSYN_Leadership_Titles_4.22.26_-_42426_3.39PM.mp3?dest-id=3894051","summary":"To speak with an advisor and map out your student's next steps, book a Complimentary Strategy Call at: 👉 apply.admittedly.co In this episode of the Admittedly Podcast, Thomas Caleel breaks down why it feels like leadership titles are losing value in modern, holistic college admissions and what admissions officers are actually looking for when it comes to extracurricular involvement. For years, students have been told to chase titles like \"president,\" \"founder,\" or \"co-founder\" to stand out. But as more applicants follow the same playbook, these titles have become increasingly common (and far less meaningful). Admissions officers are no longer impressed by titles alone. They are looking for something deeper: initiative, ownership, and real impact. Key Takeaways • Leadership titles like \"president\" and \"founder\" are no longer strong differentiators on their own. • Admissions officers prioritize initiative, impact, and sustained engagement over titles. • Starting a club without building it into something meaningful rarely adds value. • Leadership can be demonstrated within existing organizations — not just by creating new ones. • Growth and responsibility in real-world environments (jobs, nonprofits) carry strong credibility. • Initiative — identifying a problem and acting on it — is often more powerful than formal leadership. • The most compelling applicants show ownership, follow-through, and measurable results. Conclusion Leadership in today's admissions landscape is not about titles — it's about action. Students who take ownership, create impact, and engage deeply with what they care about will stand out far more than those who simply follow a formula. If you're looking for guidance on how to build a strong, strategic extracurricular profile, you can book a Compliment…","meta_description":"To speak with an advisor and map out your student's next steps, book a Complimentary Strategy Call at: 👉 apply.admittedly.co In this episode of the Admitt…","key_points":[],"chapters":[],"topics":[],"duration_seconds":1142,"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/s5e12-why-leadership-titles-are-losing-value-in-modern-college-admissions-and-what-matters-more/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/s5e12-why-leadership-titles-are-losing-value-in-modern-college-admissions-and-what-matters-more.md","description":"Read the agent-friendly Markdown representation of this episode resource."}]}}