S3E23: Is an Ivy League Education Worth It?
Admittedly: College Admissions with Thomas Caleel
Release Date: 12/27/2024
S3E24: Managing Stress in College Admissions
Admittedly: College Admissions with Thomas Caleel
In this episode of The Admittedly Podcast, Thomas Caleel addresses the growing pressures high school students feel during the college admissions process. Exploring the sources of this stress—whether self-imposed or external—Thomas emphasizes the importance of intentionality and clarity of purpose. He offers insights into balancing extracurricular activities, maintaining mental health, and avoiding the trap of overloading schedules to "keep up" with others. With a focus on authenticity and depth over breadth, this episode provides actionable advice for students and parents alike. Key...
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S3E23: Is an Ivy League Education Worth It?
Admittedly: College Admissions with Thomas Caleel
In this episode of The Admittedly Podcast, Thomas Caleel delves into the ongoing debate surrounding Ivy League education. He explores the allure, benefits, and potential drawbacks of attending an Ivy or Ivy Plus school. Thomas emphasizes that while these schools can offer transformative opportunities, they are not the singular path to success. He breaks down the reputational effect, alumni networks, financial considerations, and career impact of an Ivy League education while encouraging families to make thoughtful, individualized decisions. Key Takeaways: What is the Ivy League? The...
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S3E22: Don't Be Afraid of Your Admissions Essays!
Admittedly: College Admissions with Thomas Caleel
In this episode of the Admittedly Podcast, host Thomas Caleel emphasizes the critical role of courage in crafting standout college application essays. Drawing from his experience reviewing thousands of essays, Thomas shares insights into why authentic, bold storytelling is essential for making an impression on admissions officers. He discusses how vulnerability, self-awareness, and owning your unique story can set applicants apart in a sea of polished but impersonal submissions. Key Takeaways: Courage Over Conformity: Avoid mimicking “successful essays” found online. Let your unique...
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S3E21: Why (and How) You Should Plan Ahead
Admittedly: College Admissions with Thomas Caleel
In this episode, Thomas provides a detailed roadmap for parents to support their children throughout high school to maximize success in the college admissions process. Addressing each high school year individually, Thomas highlights how intentional planning, academic focus, and extracurricular depth can set students apart. This episode equips parents with practical strategies to guide their children while allowing them to explore and pursue their authentic passions. Key Takeaways Start Freshman Year with Intentional Foundations Focus on acclimating to high school, building study habits,...
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S3E20: Getting the Most out of Undergrad Interviews
Admittedly: College Admissions with Thomas Caleel
In this episode of the Admittedly podcast, host Thomas Caleel dives into the college interview process, offering insights for seniors navigating interview invites and juniors preparing for their future applications. From understanding the importance of interviews to tips for making a strong impression, Thomas shares practical advice to help students shine. Summary of Key Points: 1. Understand the Interview Process: Thomas explains the differences between interviews that count as evaluations versus alumni conversations. Knowing whether the interview plays a significant role in admissions helps...
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S3E19: College Application Planning Tips for Juniors
Admittedly: College Admissions with Thomas Caleel
In this episode of the "Admittedly" podcast, host Thomas Caleel speaks directly to high school juniors and their parents, offering actionable insights on preparing for the college admissions process. With a focus on planning and strategy, Thomas emphasizes steps that students can take now to set themselves up for success next fall. Summary of Key Points: 1. Planning and Academic Preparation: Thomas encourages juniors to think ahead by working backward from their goals, even if those goals are not yet fully defined. He discusses the importance of building a strong academic profile by taking...
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S3E18: Getting Creative with the UChicago Supplement (2024)
Admittedly: College Admissions with Thomas Caleel
In this episode of the "Admittedly" podcast, host Thomas Caleel explores the unique and creative nature of the University of Chicago supplement, offering advice on how to approach the school's open-ended and thought-provoking essay prompts. He discusses the value of creativity and how to craft responses that reflect the university's intellectual spirit. Summary of Key Points: 1. Embrace Creativity: The University of Chicago supplement encourages applicants to think outside the box, offering an "unlimited universe" of prompts, or even the chance to create your own. Thomas emphasizes the...
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S3E17: How to Get into Brown University (2024)
Admittedly: College Admissions with Thomas Caleel
In this episode of the "Admittedly" podcast, host Thomas Caleel provides an in-depth analysis of the Brown University supplement. He highlights the unique aspects of Brown's educational philosophy, particularly the open curriculum, and offers advice on how to approach each of the supplemental essay prompts. Summary of Key Points: 1. The Open Curriculum: Brown's open curriculum offers students the freedom to design their own academic path. Thomas emphasizes the importance of understanding this concept deeply and explains how applicants can illustrate why this educational model suits them and...
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S3E16: Answering the Johns Hopkins Supplement (2024)
Admittedly: College Admissions with Thomas Caleel
In this episode of the "Admittedly" podcast, host Thomas Caleel breaks down the Johns Hopkins supplement, focusing on how to strategically approach its two-part question. He emphasizes the importance of integrating your life experience with your academic goals to create a cohesive narrative. Summary of Key Points: Integration of Community and Academics: Thomas stresses the importance of connecting your personal background and identity to your academic interests, showing how your experiences have shaped your passion for a particular field of study. Strategic Structure: Rather than...
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S3E15: Tips for the Stanford Supplement (2024)
Admittedly: College Admissions with Thomas Caleel
In this episode of the "Admittedly" podcast, host Thomas Caleel takes on the Stanford supplement, providing advice on how to approach its famous questions. Thomas highlights how to stand out by showing intellectual curiosity, personal engagement, and a strong connection to the Stanford community. Summary of Key Points: 1. Reflecting on an Experience that Excites You About Learning: Stanford seeks students who are genuinely excited about learning. Thomas advises applicants to reflect on a meaningful experience that sparked their intellectual curiosity. It’s less about what you want to major...
info_outlineIn this episode of The Admittedly Podcast, Thomas Caleel delves into the ongoing debate surrounding Ivy League education. He explores the allure, benefits, and potential drawbacks of attending an Ivy or Ivy Plus school. Thomas emphasizes that while these schools can offer transformative opportunities, they are not the singular path to success. He breaks down the reputational effect, alumni networks, financial considerations, and career impact of an Ivy League education while encouraging families to make thoughtful, individualized decisions.
Key Takeaways:
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What is the Ivy League?
- The Ivy League started as an athletic conference comprising eight schools: Penn, Dartmouth, Princeton, Columbia, Harvard, Yale, Brown, and Cornell.
- Ivy Plus schools like MIT, Stanford, and UChicago expand the list of prestigious institutions but are not part of the original Ivy League.
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Benefits of Ivy League Education:
- Access to world-class professors and intellectually stimulating peers.
- Deep, powerful alumni networks that can enhance career opportunities and personal connections.
- A strong reputational effect that can open doors in competitive industries or regions.
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Financial Considerations:
- Many Ivy League schools offer generous grants to families earning less than $200,000 annually, but those in higher income brackets may face steep costs.
- For families in the middle, the decision to take on significant debt for an Ivy degree requires careful evaluation of potential career returns and long-term goals.
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Regional and Career Fit:
- Alumni networks often have stronger influence in certain regions (e.g., USC for Southern California vs. Dartmouth for New England).
- Consider your intended career path—certain degrees (like law or medicine) might make Ivy tuition less justifiable at the undergrad level.
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Plan Strategically:
- Ivy League admissions require thoughtful planning and foresight, starting as early as freshman or sophomore year.
- Understand your goals, strengths, and passions early to align your high school experience with Ivy League expectations.
An Ivy League education can be transformational for the right student, offering unique opportunities and networks that last a lifetime. However, it’s not the only path to success, and families should weigh financial, career, and personal factors when making this decision. Thoughtful planning and self-awareness are key to determining whether the Ivy League is the right fit. For more tips and guidance, follow Thomas on Instagram and TikTok at @admittedlyco.