Admittedly: College Admissions with Thomas Caleel

🎓 Want help building the right admissions strategy? Learn more about Admittedly and how our team of former Ivy+ admissions officers helps students make strategic decisions around course selection, extracurriculars, testing, college lists, applications, and more.
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A strong GPA only tells part of the story. In highly selective college admissions, admissions officers are also looking closely at how much you challenged yourself within the opportunities available to you.
In this episode of The Admittedly Podcast, Thomas Caleel breaks down academic rigor and how families should think strategically about course selection from middle school through senior year. From AP, IB, and A-Level programs to math sequencing and intended majors, Thomas explains why individual course decisions need to be considered as part of a much longer academic trajectory.
Key Takeaways
Why GPA alone doesn't tell admissions officers enough
How course selection can shape your options years later
What "academic rigor" actually means at highly selective colleges
How AP, IB, A-Level, and advanced courses factor into admissions
Why your intended major should influence your academic trajectory
Conclusion
Academic rigor isn't about taking the hardest class simply because it exists. It's about building a thoughtful academic trajectory that demonstrates curiosity, preparation, and the ability to succeed in the field you hope to pursue. The strongest course strategy looks beyond this semester and asks: What does this choice make possible next year... and the year after that?
🎓 Learn more about Admittedly and how our team of former Ivy+ admissions officers helps students make strategic decisions around course selection, extracurriculars, testing, college lists, applications, and more.
📱 Follow Admittedly for more college admissions strategy:
Instagram & TikTok: @admittedlyco

In this episode of The Admittedly Podcast, Thomas Caleel is joined by Sonam Aidasani, Director of Product & Strategy at Admittedly and former Duke admissions officer, to break down one of the most misunderstood areas of college admissions: transferring.
Is transferring actually an easier way into a highly selective college? What makes a compelling reason to transfer? And if you're already thinking about transferring before freshman year even begins, what should you be doing now?
Thomas and Sonam unpack the different paths students take—from community college to four-year universities, to students realizing their current college simply isn't the right fit, to families considering transfer as a deliberate admissions strategy. They also explain why transfer admissions is its own process and why strong college grades alone aren't enough.
Key Topics:
The different reasons students pursue transfer admissions (and which ones make the strongest case)
Why your high school transcript can still matter in transfer admissions
The importance of college grades, professor relationships, recommendations, and campus involvement
Why admissions officers scrutinize your reason for leaving your current institution
Whether you can reuse essays from your original freshman application
How SAT and ACT scores can factor into a transfer application
Transfer vs. gap year: what students should consider before choosing either path
Why every college's transfer policies, requirements, priorities, and credit rules need to be researched individually
Considering a Transfer?
Admittedly's transfer programs are designed for students preparing to apply now as well as students who are earlier in college and want to position themselves strategically for a potential transfer later.
From course selection and academic performance to campus involvement, recommendations, testing, school selection, and the application itself, the decisions you make before applying can significantly shape your options.
📅 Speak with the Admittedly team about your transfer strategy:
Apply for a Complimentary Strategy Call
📱 Follow Admittedly:
Instagram & TikTok: @admittedlyco

To speak with an advisor and learn more about Admittedly's Middle School Program, book a Complimentary Strategy Call:
https://admittedly.co/middle-school/
Parents often think college admissions starts in high school. In reality, many of the habits, skills, and decisions that shape a student's future begin much earlier.
In this episode, Thomas Caleel explains why middle school isn't about building a college résumé... it's about building the foundation for future success. From developing study skills and exploring interests to understanding academic pathways and preparing for the transition to high school, Thomas shares how families can support students without creating unnecessary pressure.
Key Takeaways
Why middle school should focus on exploration.
How study habits and executive functioning become long-term advantages.
Why extracurricular involvement is about curiosity and discipline, not checking boxes.
The importance of preparing for the transition into ninth grade.
How early academic decisions can impact future course options.
Why parents should guide the process without taking it over.
How Admittedly's Middle School Program helps families prepare with confidence.
Middle school isn't about getting ahead for the sake of getting ahead. It's about giving students the time, support, and confidence to discover who they are before the stakes get higher. A thoughtful foundation today creates more opportunities tomorrow.
To speak with an advisor and learn more about Admittedly's Middle School Program, book a Complimentary Strategy Call:
https://admittedly.co/middle-school/
Watch our Middle School Episode With Dr. Peggy: https://youtu.be/2pNkKqLh1CU?si=guJKzHZnroSokVIk 
Watch our Episode About Executive Functioning: https://youtu.be/ywv1arlTbkY?si=eYGOLSxhZ7y5lz_h 
Instagram & TikTok: @admittedlyco

To speak with an advisor and build a smarter college admissions strategy, book a Complimentary Strategy Call at:
👉 https://admittedly.co/path-to-admissions/ 
In this episode of The Admittedly Podcast, Thomas Caleel is joined by internationally recognized storytelling expert, podcaster, author, and keynote speaker Gabrielle Dolan to discuss why authentic storytelling matters more than ever in the age of AI. Together, they explore how students can use storytelling to communicate who they are, why authenticity continues to stand out in competitive admissions, and where AI can (and can't) play a role in the application process.
From college essays and admissions interviews to personal branding and professional communication, Thomas and Gabrielle unpack what makes stories memorable, why admissions officers connect with authenticity over perfection, and how students can leverage AI as a coach without allowing it to replace their own voice.
Key Takeaways
Why storytelling is becoming even more valuable in an AI-driven world.
How admissions officers distinguish authentic writing from AI-generated content.
The right way to use AI as a brainstorming and coaching tool.
Why memorable stories are often ordinary moments told honestly.
Why the strongest applications tell one cohesive story across every component.
Conclusion
As AI becomes increasingly common, authenticity is becoming increasingly valuable. The students who stand out aren't necessarily the ones with the most polished applications. They're the ones whose stories feel genuine, memorable, and unmistakably their own.
If you're looking for guidance on essays, application strategy, or building a stronger admissions narrative, book a Complimentary Strategy Call here:
👉 https://admittedly.co/path-to-admissions/ 
📱 Follow us on Instagram & TikTok: @admittedlyco
📚 Learn more about Gabrielle Dolan and her work:
https://gabrielledolan.com/

To speak with an advisor and build a smarter college admissions strategy, book a Complimentary Strategy Call at:
👉 apply.admittedly.co
The Common Application is more than a collection of forms and essays; it's a strategic opportunity to tell a cohesive story about who you are and why you belong at your target colleges.
In this episode of The Admittedly Podcast, Thomas Caleel introduces the Admittedly NEATER Framework, a six-part approach to building stronger college applications. He explains how narrative, extracurriculars, academics, testing, essays, and recommendation letters work together to create a compelling application (and why students who think strategically throughout the Common App often outperform equally qualified applicants who don't).
Key Takeaways
Why the Common Application should be approached strategically... not section by section.
The six pillars of the NEATER Framework and how they work together.
The role of academics, extracurriculars, testing, essays, and recommendation letters in holistic admissions.
How to create an application that tells one consistent, memorable story.
The strongest college applications are built by presenting a clear, intentional narrative across every part of the application. By approaching the Common App strategically, students can better communicate their interests, strengths, and potential to admissions officers.
If you're looking for guidance on building a stronger application strategy, book a Complimentary Strategy Call here:
👉 apply.admittedly.co
🔗 Explore more admissions resources: https://admittedly.co/resources/  
📱 Follow us on Instagram & TikTok: @admittedlyco