Admittedly: College Admissions with Thomas Caleel

Latest Episodes:

S5E8: Inside the Minds of Elite Admissions Officers: How AOs Are Trained To Review Your Application (Interview with Former Duke AO) Feb 21, 2026

Show notes

To speak with an advisor and map out your student's next steps, book a Complimentary Strategy Call at admittedly.co/apply.

In this episode of the Admittedly Podcast, Thomas sits down with Admittedly's Interim Director of College Counseling and former Senior Admissions Officer at Duke University, Sonam, for a candid look inside how highly selective admissions offices actually evaluate applications.

Sonam reviewed more than 10,000 applications during her time in admissions. She holds degrees from Duke and an MBA from Rice, and she has worked across nearly every side of the process — inside a top university admissions office, in high schools, and in community-based organizations. In short: she understands both how decisions are made and how students should prepare.

Together, Thomas and Sonam pull back the curtain on how admissions officers are trained, how institutional priorities shape decisions, and why the process is far more nuanced than most families realize. They discuss the return of standardized testing, what transcripts really signal, how committee rooms actually function, and why trying to "reverse engineer" a school's priorities is often a mistake.

The conversation also dives deep into extracurricular strategy — what meaningful involvement looks like, how admissions officers spot inconsistencies, and why students don't need ten perfectly aligned activities to be compelling. From late bloomers to school list strategy to regional admissions nuances, this episode gives families a rare insider perspective grounded in real experience.

This is especially valuable for parents and students aiming at highly selective colleges who want clarity about how decisions are made — and how to position themselves with intention rather than guesswork.

Key Takeaways:

• Admissions officers are trained — extensively — to evaluate applications within institutional priorities. • The supplemental essays often reveal more about what a school values than the personal statement. • Standardized testing is returning as a tool to combat grade inflation and assess academic readiness. • Admissions decisions are not pure meritocracies — they are shaped by institutional needs and shifting applicant pools. • Extracurriculars should demonstrate action and authenticity, not just alignment with a proposed major. • Changing direction mid-high school is acceptable — if it's explained thoughtfully and reflects genuine growth. • Students should build school lists based on fit, not assumptions about what a college "wants."

Listeners can continue the conversation by following @admittedlyco on Instagram and TikTok, where Thomas and the Admittedly team answer real admissions questions weekly. Free resources, guides, and webinars are available at admittedly.co.

If your family is ready for strategic, experience-driven guidance, book a Complimentary Strategy Call at admittedly.co/apply.

S5E7: Why I Built Admittedly After 20 Years in College Admissions — and Where We're Going Next Feb 11, 2026

Show notes

To speak with an advisor and map out your student's next steps, book a Complimentary Strategy Call at admittedly.co/apply.

In this episode of the Admittedly Podcast, Thomas Caleel steps away from tactical admissions advice to share the story behind Admittedly — how it started, why it exists, and where it's headed next.

With nearly two decades inside selective admissions, including leading MBA Admissions and Financial Aid at Wharton, Thomas reflects on the experiences that shaped his philosophy as an educator, advisor, and parent. He talks candidly about his own path through boarding school, Penn, entrepreneurship, business school, and admissions leadership — and how working with thousands of families ultimately led him to build an education-first company focused on clarity, strategy, and integrity.

Thomas also explains why Admittedly has grown so quickly: families are exhausted by hacks, shortcuts, and resume-stuffing advice — and are looking instead for honest guidance grounded in real admissions experience. From launching the podcast and free resources to building Early Edge Plus and Early Edge Premium, this episode lays out the long-term vision for how Admittedly supports students not just to get into college, but to become confident, independent, resilient adults.

This episode is especially valuable for new listeners, parents considering professional guidance, and families who want to understand what truly differentiates Admittedly from traditional college consulting.

Key Takeaways:

Admissions outcomes are driven by strategy and intention, not checklists or hacks.
Experience inside elite admissions offices fundamentally changes how guidance should be delivered.
Education sits at the core of Admittedly's mission.
Group learning, multiple admissions perspectives, and intentional planning create stronger outcomes.
The goal isn't just college admission, but building confident, capable young adults.

Listeners can continue the conversation by following @admittedlyco on Instagram and TikTok, where Thomas shares weekly guidance and answers real family questions. Free downloads, webinars, and additional resources are available at admittedly.co.

To speak with an advisor and map out your student's next steps, book a Complimentary Strategy Call at admittedly.co/apply.

S5E6: What Parents Should Know About Academic Tutoring & Test Prep: Fit, Timing, & Real Progress Feb 03, 2026

Show notes

In this episode of The Admittedly Podcast, Thomas Caleel sits down with Kathy Yellen, Senior Program Consultant at Advantage Testing, to pull back the curtain on what most families misunderstand about tutoring and test prep. With 16 years at Advantage Testing and a background spanning early childhood education, classroom teaching, and performance, Kathy explains what her role actually looks like: listening to families, building a roadmap, and "matchmaking" students with the right tutors so the relationship works, not just the schedule.

Together, Thomas and Kathy unpack the real concerns parents bring to the table when they're navigating SAT/ACT prep or academic tutoring for the first time, including confusion, misinformation, and the fear that "we're behind."

Key Topics:

What Advantage Testing "program consulting" actually is, and why the student-tutor match matters as much as expertise
How families should approach test prep and academic tutoring when they don't know where to start
Why there is no "only way" to prep and how to tune out conflicting opinions and social media noise
What tutoring is (and is not): scaffolding, mentorship, and confidence-building, not replacement or shortcutting
When to consider tutoring, including support, remediation, and enrichment, and why timing depends on the student
Why practice test scores often fluctuate and how to evaluate progress using trendlines, not single data points
How to handle mid-process stress and what to do if the match isn't working (and why course correction should happen early)

Guest: Kathy Yellen: Senior Program Consultant at Advantage Testing with 16 years of experience supporting families through academic tutoring and test preparation. Kathy holds a BA in English from Tufts University and an MST in Early Childhood Education from Fordham University, and has worked as a teacher, tutor, actor, and singer before joining Advantage Testing.

Learn more about Admittedly's partnership with Advantage Testing: admittedly.co/programs

Follow Admittedly: Instagram and TikTok: @admittedlyco Follow Advantage Testing: Instagram: @advantagetesting

S5E5: The Ivy+ Roadmap: How to Plan Ahead for Competitive Admissions (From 8th-11th Grade) Jan 29, 2026

Show notes

To speak with an advisor and map out your student's next steps, apply for a free Family Action Call with us at admittedly.co/apply.

In this episode of the Admittedly Podcast, Thomas Caleel explores one of the most powerful but overlooked advantages in college admissions: planning ahead. Drawing on more than two decades of experience in highly selective admissions, he explains why the most successful families don't leave outcomes to chance but instead make thoughtful, flexible decisions early so students can build academic rigor, explore interests, and stay positioned for competitive opportunities.

Thomas breaks down the difference between healthy planning and overplanning, showing how early decisions around math placement, course rigor, summer strategy, and extracurricular focus can either expand or limit future options. He emphasizes that students don't need every step mapped out, but they do need direction, awareness, and intentional choices that evolve over time, reducing anxiety while strengthening admissions outcomes.

Through real examples, Thomas illustrates how missed opportunities in early academic tracking and last-minute decision-making can quietly close doors to selective programs. He also explains how planning ahead allows students to explore interests with confidence while still staying aligned with long-term academic goals.

Key Takeaways:

• Planning ahead creates opportunity; waiting limits options.

• Early academic choices — especially math track — can significantly impact future admissions paths.

• Rigor matters, and students must position themselves early to access advanced coursework.

• Summers should build on academic interests, not be left to chance.

• Sophomore year difficulty increases — preparation prevents unnecessary stress.

• Conversations about interests should be exploratory, not pressure-driven.

• Junior year planning is urgent; competitive opportunities require early action.

• Momentum matters more than perfection — starting now is always better than waiting.

This episode is especially valuable for parents of middle schoolers, freshmen, sophomores, and juniors who want to approach admissions with clarity instead of panic. Thomas offers practical guidance on starting conversations early, helping students identify genuine interests, and maintaining flexibility while moving forward with intention.

Listeners can continue the conversation by following @admittedlyco on Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube, where Thomas answers questions and shares weekly admissions guidance. Additional free tools and downloads designed to help families plan with confidence are available at admittedly.co.

To speak with an advisor and develop a personalized roadmap for your student, visit admittedly.co/apply for a free Family Action Call.

S5E4: Am I Doing Enough? The Right (And Wrong) Way to Approach Extracurricular Activities in Highschool Jan 21, 2026

Show notes

To speak with an advisor and map out your student's next steps, apply for a free Family Action Call with us at admittedly.co/apply.

In this episode of the Admittedly Podcast, Thomas Caleel takes on one of the most misunderstood parts of college preparation: extracurricular activities. Parents often worry their students aren't doing enough, while students feel overwhelmed trying to "keep up" with friends who seem to be involved in everything. Drawing on nearly two decades of work in selective admissions, Thomas explains why the real problem isn't a lack of activities — it's a lack of intention.

He breaks down what extracurriculars actually signal to admissions officers, why a long list of clubs rarely helps, and how students can create impact by going deeper on the things they genuinely care about. Thomas outlines a clear framework for freshmen, sophomores, and juniors, showing how each year plays a different role in forming a student's academic identity and demonstrating curiosity, leadership, and growth. Through real examples of admitted students — from future engineers to artists to first-gen leaders — listeners learn how meaningful contributions often come from everyday opportunities like jobs, family commitments, summer projects, and community involvement.

This episode is especially valuable for families navigating burnout, confusion, or pressure around extracurriculars, as well as students aiming for highly selective colleges where depth, impact, and authenticity matter far more than checking boxes.

Key Takeaways: • Extracurriculars are about revealing who you are — not proving how busy you can be. • Depth and impact matter more than the number of activities on a list. • Freshmen should explore widely; sophomores should curate; juniors should deepen and lead. • Summers are a major opportunity to show academic interest through real experiences. • Jobs, family responsibilities, and community work carry significant weight in admissions. • The fastest way to fall behind is copying what other students do instead of following your own curiosity.

Listeners can continue the conversation by following @admittedlyco on Instagram and TikTok, where Thomas answers questions and shares weekly admissions guidance. Additional tools, guides, and free resources to help your family approach this process with clarity and confidence can be found at admittedly.co.

To speak with an advisor and map out your student's next steps, visit admittedly.co/apply for a free Family Action Call.

S5E3: Raising Resilient Kids: Nature Connections, Mental Health, and College Readiness with Mario Mendez of Wilderness Youth Project (WYP) Jan 13, 2026

Show notes

If you're ready to take the next step in your admissions journey, visit https://admittedly.co/apply to register for a free Family Action Call with one of our advisors.

Parents worry about grades, test scores, and résumés. But underneath all of that, what really shapes a student who can thrive in competitive academics and in life?

In this episode, Thomas Caleel talks with Mario Mendez, Community Accountability Manager and Senior Program Staff at Wilderness Youth Project (WYP) in Santa Barbara, about how nature, unstructured exploration, and real-world challenge help kids build the resilience, awareness, and confidence they need long before they ever apply to college.

Mario draws on decades of experience working with young people in South America, the Middle East, Europe, and the United States. Together, he and Thomas unpack how nature-based programs can support mental health, reduce stress, and help students develop a stronger sense of self – and why those qualities matter so much in highly selective college admissions.

Key Topics & Takeaways

Education beyond the classroom Why real education includes social emotional learning, self-awareness, and lived experience, not just what happens in class.
Nature as a tool for awareness and belonging How tracking, observation, and time outdoors teach kids to notice their surroundings, read a room, and understand their impact on others.
Access, equity, and Bridge to Nature How programs like WYP's Bridge to Nature serve under resourced students, and why nature connection is not just for "outdoorsy" or privileged families.
What families can do anywhere Practical ways to build nature connection in cities and suburbs using small routines: a single tree, a window, a daily walk, or attention to seasonal changes.
Storytelling, resilience, and admissions How a rich inner life, curiosity, and the ability to tell your own story show up in college essays and in the way students move through school and life.

This conversation is especially helpful for parents who see anxiety, burnout, or disconnection in their kids and want something more meaningful than another activity on the schedule. It is also for families thinking about highly selective admissions who recognize that resilience, authenticity, and self-knowledge are just as important as GPA and test scores.

Links to Wilderness Youth Project, Mario's recommended resources, and related nature-connection tools:

For more support on building thoughtful, strategic paths to college for your student, visit admittedly.co and follow @admittedlyco on Instagram and TikTok.

S5E2: Junior Year College Admissions Strategy: Balancing Academics, Counselors, and Activity Planning for Success Jan 06, 2026

Show notes

In this episode of the Admittedly Podcast, Thomas Caleel breaks down why junior year is the most consequential year in the college admissions process. As students are assigned college counselors and admissions timelines become real, he explains what juniors should be focused on right now — and where families often misunderstand how the process actually works.

This conversation covers academic rigor, grades, standardized testing, teacher relationships, extracurricular strategy, and junior summer planning, with a clear message throughout: junior year is not the time to drift or wait for direction. Students who want competitive outcomes need to take ownership, make intentional choices, and understand how admissions officers evaluate applications in context.

Key Takeaways

Junior year grades and course rigor carry the most weight
SAT/ACT prep should already be underway
Teacher relationships now shape recommendation letters later
School counselors do not manage the process for you
Extracurriculars should narrow and deepen, not multiply
Junior summer must be planned with purpose

For juniors, the second semester is not a pause. It's a pivot point. This is when academic performance, testing, extracurricular decisions, and summer planning begin to directly shape college outcomes. For parents, this episode offers clarity on where guidance helps, where pressure backfires, and how to support students without outsourcing responsibility or trusting the process blindly.

Families can explore free guides, blog articles, and admissions resources at admittedly.co, and continue the conversation on Instagram and TikTok at @admittedlyco, where questions from students and parents often shape future episodes.

If you're ready to take the next step, visit https://admittedly.co/apply to apply for a free Family Action call with one of our admissions advisors.

S5E1: New Year, New Goals: How to Take Control of College Admissions in 2026 Dec 30, 2025

Show notes

Happy New Year, listeners!

In this Season 5 premiere of the Admittedly Podcast, host Thomas Caleel kicks off the new year by addressing one of the most important questions students and families face: how to take control of the college admissions process instead of leaving outcomes to chance.

Drawing on decades of experience in highly selective admissions, Thomas reflects on the lessons of the past admissions cycle and explains why early planning, honest self-assessment, and clear goals matter more than ever in 2026. He breaks down common misconceptions about admissions, the growing emphasis on academic rigor and testing, and why students don't need to reinvent themselves — they need clarity, consistency, and authenticity.

This episode is especially relevant for freshmen, sophomores, and juniors who want to approach the year ahead with intention, as well as parents looking for a realistic, transparent framework for supporting their students without unnecessary pressure.

Key Takeaways:

You don't need a new version of yourself. You need clearer goals.
Highly selective admissions reward planning, not last-minute effort.
Academic rigor and grades matter more as schools push back on grade inflation.
Tutoring, test prep, and support work best when started early — not reactively.
Doing fewer things well beats chasing checklists or copying other students.
Authenticity and self-awareness are what help students stand out in large applicant pools.

Listeners can continue the conversation and find ongoing guidance by following Admittedly on Instagram and TikTok at @admittedlyco.

Additional free resources (including guides, blogs, and tools designed to clarify the college admissions process) are available at admittedly.co

If you're ready to take the next step, visit https://admittedly.co/apply to apply for a free Family Action call with one of our admissions advisors.

S4E43: 10th Grade Check-In: Grades, Extracurriculars, and Planning for Competitive College Admissions Dec 17, 2025

Show notes

In this episode of the Admittedly Podcast, host Thomas Caleel walks sophomores and their families through a critical midyear check-in. With first semester complete and winter break underway, this is the moment to take an honest look at academics, extracurriculars, and overall direction before junior year raises the stakes.

Thomas explains why sophomore year often feels harder than expected, how small gaps now can turn into major problems later, and what students should be doing right now to stay competitive for selective college admissions. Freshmen can use this episode to look ahead, and juniors can use it as a benchmark to see what they may need to adjust.

Key Takeaways

Sophomore Year Is a Pressure Jump: Classes get harder fast, and this is often when students realize that high school rigor is cumulative.
Fix Academic Gaps Now: Winter break is the best time to address weak foundations in math, science, and core subjects before they compound.
Rigor Matters More Than Ever: Taking the most challenging courses available and performing well is essential for competitive college admissions.
Extracurriculars Need Focus: Sophomore year is the time to narrow activities, say no to what no longer serves you, and go deeper where interest and impact align.
Be Honest About Athletics: If recruitment is unlikely, students need to rebalance early to avoid becoming one dimensional.
Start Planning for Summer Early: Applications for summer programs, jobs, and volunteering often open now, and early action creates real options.
Testing Preparation Starts Here: Reading consistently and beginning light SAT or ACT prep now pays off significantly later.

Families can explore free college admissions resources, guides, and blogs at admittedly.co.

For daily advice, follow us on Instagram and TikTok: @admittedlyco

If you're ready to take the next step, visit https://admittedly.co/apply to apply for a free Family Action call with one of our admissions advisors.

S4E42: Inside the Mind of a Top Tutor: Why Students Struggle and How to Help Them Thrive (With Advantage Testing's Michelle Chasin) Dec 09, 2025

Show notes

In this episode of The Admittedly Podcast, Thomas Caleel speaks with Michelle Chasin, Associate Director of Advantage Testing New York and senior tutor with more than 30 years of experience working with high school students. Michelle specializes in tutor development, long-term academic mentorship, and supporting students through test preparation, foundational skill-building, and the emotional challenges of high-pressure academic environments.

Together, Thomas and Michelle discuss how students actually learn, why academic anxiety is rising, and how consistent practice and strong process habits set students up for success not only on standardized tests but throughout high school, college, and beyond.

Key Topics:

Why academic anxiety has increased and how to help students break through it
What "missing foundations" look like and how long-term tutoring repairs them
How consistent, incremental practice outperforms last-minute cramming
Why failure and "messing up" are critical parts of real learning
Effective ways parents can support academic growth without increasing pressure
How to motivate gifted students who appear disengaged
Lessons from competitive chess that apply directly to test prep and high-level academics
Why there is no such thing as a "natural test taker" — only strong processes and habits

Guest:

Michelle Chasin: Associate Director of Advantage Testing New York, senior tutor, mentor, and parent of a seven-time national chess champion, with three decades of experience supporting students through deep, long-term academic development.

Learn more about Admittedly's partnership with Advantage Testing: admittedly.co/programs

Follow Admittedly: Instagram and TikTok: @admittedlyco

Our TOPPODCAST Picks

Follow Us

Stay Connected

Admittedly: College Admissions with Thomas Caleel

Related Podcasts

Links

Stay Connected