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 ...
In this episode of the Admittedly Podcast, host Thomas Caleel takes a moment to reintroduce himself. With so many new listeners joining our community, it’s the perfect time to revisit the story behind Admittedly. Thomas shares his journey—from his early career ventures to becoming a leader in the college admissions space—and why he has spent the past 20 years helping students navigate the admissions process with confidence and clarity. Key Takeaways: Where it all Started – Thomas shares his unconventional path, from business ventures in Europe to launching skincare brands in Colorado, and ultimately, how he found his calling in admissions. Why it Matters – A deep commitment to student success has driven Thomas to help applicants achieve incredible things. His mission is to spread valuable, strategic admissions advice to as many students as possible. Becoming a Voice in Admissions – Engaging with other experts in the online admissions space has been an enriching experience, but not every voice in the industry is created equal. What Brings us Here – Success isn’t just about strategy; it’s about relationships. Building connections, learning from others, and sharing knowledge is vital to Admittedly's growing community. For two decades, Thomas has been dedicated to reducing stress and uncertainty in the admissions process—helping students avoid mistakes, grow productively, and achieve their goals. And this is just the beginning. Follow Admittedly on Instagram and TikTok at @admittedlyco for more insights, and drop us a comment! Visit www.admittedly.co to learn more about how Thomas and the Admittedly team can help you navigate your admissions journey.
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S4E3: What's The Deal With Deferrals?
In this episode of the Admittedly Podcast, host Thomas Caleel dives deeper into deferrals. He breaks down what deferrals are, why schools do it, and what it means for YOU! Key Takeaways: Deferrals Are NOT Rejections: Understanding what it means to be deferred is critically important to your application process if you’re applying Early Action or Early Decision. Yield Management is a Big Factor: Schools act in their best interest, and have ideal yield margins to hit each year. Yield is the number of students who accepted an offer over the number of offers given out and can be a big indicator of how selective schools are. You Can Make a Difference: Letters of continued interest and other supplementary information may be requested from you. This can have a large impact on your chances of being accepted during regular decision. Deferrals Went Up This Year (And Thomas Has Thoughts): Listen in for Thomas’ personal theory as on why this year we experienced a spike in deferrals. Being deferred is not ideal, but it does not mean you lost your chance at being accepted. If you have thoughts, want to share your experience, or have questions about this episode, drop a comment on Instagram or TikTok at @admittedlyco. For more expert insight on college admissions, follow Thomas on Instagram and TikTok at @admittedlyco! Visit www.admittedly.co to find out more about what we at Admittedly can do to help you aim for top colleges.
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S4E2: Expanding the Ivy League Isn't That Simple
In this episode of the Admittedly Podcast, host Thomas Caleel explores the question, “Why doesn’t the Ivy League expand?” As a former Director of MBA Admissions at UPenn’s Wharton School, Thomas offers an insider’s perspective on the challenges and limitations elite universities face when it comes to growth. Key Takeaways: Ivy League schools aren’t responsible for educating everyone – Expanding these colleges would reduce scarcity, ultimately diminishing the exclusivity and prestige they leverage. Most Ivy League schools lack the space to expand – Many Ivies are located in historic cities with physical limitations, making it nearly impossible to significantly increase campus size or enrollment. Building additional campuses is risky – Maintaining Ivy League standards requires top-tier faculty and staff, which can be difficult to recruit and retain, even for existing campuses. While many students and parents wish Ivy League schools would expand, the reality is far more complex. If you have questions, we’d love to hear them! Follow Admittedly on Instagram and TikTok at @admittedlyco for more insights, and drop us a comment! Visit www.admittedly.co to learn more about how Admittedly can help you on your journey to getting admitted into your dream school.
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S4E1: Let's Talk About Transferring
In this episode of the Admittedly Podcast, host Thomas Caleel explores the workings of transferring colleges. He breaks down the process of transferring, why schools do it, why you might care, and answers some questions from listeners! Key Takeaways: You Need to Ask Yourself WHY: Whether it’s in your personal statement or individual essays, schools will ask why you want to transfer, and transferring for ranking is not a good reason. Is your current school a bad fit? Have your priorities shifted? Dig deep. How Schools Consider YOU: Schools consider more than your reason for transferring. Your academics, extracurriculars, and recommendations will all have an impact on your chances. Take Your TIME on The Applications: There may be discrepancies in what is listed in the Common Transfer Application and what is listed on the school’s page. Always make sure you are comparing the requirements and staying on top of your applications. Local/Community College Transfers: A lot of schools do give preference to local transfers from community colleges – it can be a great option to look into! The transfer process is complex, requiring a lot of time and hard work – Students set on their path to transfer should embrace the journey, trust in their unique story, and aim for the colleges that truly align with who you are. Follow Thomas on Instagram and TikTok at @admittedlyco for more insights and updates! Visit www.admittedly.co to find out more about what we at Admittedly can do to help in your transfer journey.
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S3E26: You Asked, We Answered
In this episode of the Admittedly Podcast, host Thomas Caleel answers listener questions from Instagram and TikTok (@admittedlyco) on a range of topics surrounding the college admissions process. He offers advice on balancing academic and extracurricular pressure to avoid burnout, and discusses strategies for applicants not targeting Ivy League schools. Thomas also covers gap years, when to hire a college advisor, international applicants, and how deferred applicants should approach their LOCI. Key Questions: "How do we balance not burning these kids out before they even arrive on campus? Feels like a feedback loop that needs to change. College admissions are expecting more, students are doing more, or doing more elite activities, and then admissions expects these things are the norm." "Would you mind addressing how your intent applies to students that aren't looking at the big Ivies?" "How to balance life as a teen and top academic achievement in a manner that is healthy and avoids burnout?" "Thoughts on a gap year? How do you make the most of a gap year?" "As a parent of a rising ninth grader, when do you recommend hiring a college advisor?" “How important is having national or international awards for top schools? Is having none going to get you rejected?" Advice for international applicants, especially in creating opportunities when extracurricular activities may not be as prevalent in their countries. How deferred applicants are reviewed during regular decision and how to strategically approach a letter of continued interest. Remember, navigating college admissions is all about finding the right balance, staying true to yourself, and focusing on what truly matters. Trust in your unique journey. Be sure to follow Thomas on Instagram and TikTok at @admittedlyco. Feel free to DM your questions or drop them in the comments—there’s a lot of great engagement happening between students, parents, and those with experience!
About Admittedly: College Admissions with Thomas Caleel
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.
Listen to Admittedly: College Admissions with Thomas Caleel, Leap Academy with Ilana Golan and many other podcasts from around the world with the radio.net app
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