S4E11: Your Summer Fell Apart… Now What?
Admittedly: College Admissions with Thomas Caleel
Release Date: 04/18/2025
S4E39: How to Plan a Strategic Summer (Before It’s Too Late)
Admittedly: College Admissions with Thomas Caleel
In this episode of the Admittedly Podcast, host Thomas Caleel explains why freshmen, sophomores, and juniors should begin planning their summer programs and activities long before spring. Drawing on decades of experience in college admissions, he breaks down what actually matters, what doesn’t, and why early planning is one of the most overlooked competitive advantages in high school. Rather than chasing “name-brand” programs, Thomas helps families understand how to build a summer that aligns with a student’s interests, goals, and developing narrative without getting caught in the trap...
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S4E38: The Hidden Half of College Admissions: What Students Overlook (and What Actually Matters)
Admittedly: College Admissions with Thomas Caleel
In this episode of The Admittedly Podcast, host Thomas Caleel reveals the hidden half of the college admissions process, the part most families never think about. Students spend years stacking achievements and building resumes, but the truth is that admissions officers care less about what you have done and far more about why you have done it. Drawing from two decades of experience, including his time as Director of MBA Admissions at the Wharton School, Thomas explains why resume racing does not work, how to uncover authentic motivation, and what real introspection looks like in practice....
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S4E37: The 3 Biggest Mistakes Students Make in High School (And How to Fix Them Before Senior Year)
Admittedly: College Admissions with Thomas Caleel
In this episode of The Admittedly Podcast, host Thomas Caleel breaks down the three most common mistakes he sees students make year after year in the college admissions process — and how to correct them before it’s too late. Drawing on more than two decades of admissions experience, including his time as Director of MBA Admissions at UPenn’s Wharton School, Thomas explains why the strongest applicants aren’t just the ones with high GPAs or perfect test scores. They’re the ones who build a compelling story, act strategically, and take ownership of their journey. Whether your student...
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S4E36: No, College Admissions Aren’t Getting Easier in 2026: Here’s What You CAN Control
Admittedly: College Admissions with Thomas Caleel
In this episode of The Admittedly Podcast, host Thomas Caleel breaks down why college admissions at Ivy League and other top universities are more competitive than ever—and what students and parents can still control in the process. Despite social media myths about an “easier” year ahead, Thomas explains why application numbers remain high, selectivity rates are dropping, and grade inflation is blurring academic distinctions. Drawing on decades of admissions experience, he reveals how to focus on what actually moves the needle: differentiation, strategy, and authentic engagement. Key...
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S4E35: Confidence, Clarity, and College Admissions: Global Tutoring Insights with Advantage Testing’s Matthew Demmer
Admittedly: College Admissions with Thomas Caleel
In this episode of The Admittedly Podcast, Thomas Caleel speaks with Matthew Demmer, Associate Director of Advantage Testing New York and Director of Advantage Testing UK. With over 22 years of experience tutoring students across the U.S., U.K., and Middle East, Matt shares how one-on-one tutoring helps students build confidence, reduce anxiety, and perform at their best — whether preparing for the SAT, ACT, UCAS, or Oxbridge interviews. Key Topics: Lessons from the UK’s tutorial system and how they shape effective tutoring Why confidence is the antidote to test-day stress UCAS vs....
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S4E34: Inside the Review Room – How Admissions Officers Read Applications
Admittedly: College Admissions with Thomas Caleel
In this episode of the Admittedly Podcast, host Thomas Caleel, former Director of MBA Admissions at Wharton, takes you behind the scenes of the admissions office to show how applications are actually read. From transcripts and essays to activities, recommendations, and test scores, Thomas explains what admissions officers focus on and how they build a three-dimensional picture of each applicant. Key Takeaways: Applications are often reviewed in just three to five minutes, so clarity and strategy matter. Transcripts are scored separately, then weighed alongside essays, activities, and...
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S4E33: Do The SAT and ACT Still Matter? Test Optional Policies and the Ivy League Explained
Admittedly: College Admissions with Thomas Caleel
In this episode of The Admittedly Podcast, host Thomas Caleel unpacks one of the most debated topics in college admissions: test optional policies. Are they really leveling the playing field, or just creating more confusion? Drawing from his decades of admissions experience, Thomas explains how test optional began, what it means for students today, and why the future of standardized testing is shifting once again. Key Takeaways The Origins of Test Optional: COVID-19 accelerated the move away from testing, with schools adopting test optional to expand diversity and boost application numbers. ...
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S4E32: Applying to Columbia: How to Write Your 2025 Supplements For Success
Admittedly: College Admissions with Thomas Caleel
In this episode of The Admittedly Podcast, host Thomas Caleel breaks down Columbia University’s 2025 supplemental essays and guides you through how to approach each one strategically. From the famous “list question” to the diversity prompt, the disagreement essay, the adversity question, and the two-part “Why Columbia” response, Thomas explains how to build thoughtful, authentic answers that actually help you stand out. You’ll hear why your list should balance intellectual depth with curiosity, how to write about disagreement and adversity without falling into cliché or forced...
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S4E31: Cracking the UPenn Supplements: Thank-You Note & Community Essay Tips
Admittedly: College Admissions with Thomas Caleel
In this episode of The Admittedly Podcast, host Thomas Caleel, former Director of MBA Admissions & Financial Aid at UPenn’s Wharton School, breaks down the University of Pennsylvania’s 2025 writing supplements and how to approach them strategically. Thomas explains how to make the most of Penn’s two required prompts: the “Thank You Note” and the Community Essay. You’ll learn why the thank-you letter should be written last, how to use it to reveal an untold part of your story, and how to reflect thoughtfully on sharing gratitude with someone who has impacted your life. He also...
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S4E30: Applying to Yale: A Guide to the Short Answers and Essays
Admittedly: College Admissions with Thomas Caleel
In this episode of The Admittedly Podcast, host Thomas Caleel breaks down Yale’s 2025 writing supplements and short answers so you can respond with clarity, strategy, and genuine voice. From selecting up to three academic areas on the application to explaining a topic that truly excites you, Thomas shows how to demonstrate curiosity without becoming monothematic and how to tie your interests authentically to Yale. You’ll hear practical guidance for the “why Yale” short answer, how to keep the 200-character list questions fresh and human, and how to choose among the 400-word prompts...
info_outlineIn this episode of the Admittedly Podcast, host Thomas Caleel disrupts the regular schedule to talk about the disruptions hitting students’ summer plans—especially research and enrichment programs at top universities. With Ivy League campuses and other institutions making budget cuts and shifting resources, students across the country are watching valuable opportunities vanish. But this doesn’t have to derail your admissions story. Thomas breaks down what’s going on, what it means for your application, and how to pivot with purpose and strategy.
Key Takeaways:
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Disruptions Are Real—But They’re Not Fatal: Summer research programs and opportunities are evaporating, especially at top schools. But admissions officers know what’s happening. These changes won't ruin your application—as long as you respond thoughtfully.
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Keep the Door Open: If something falls through, don’t just walk away. Reach out to the professor or program lead. Ask for recommendations, referrals, or alternate ideas. Maintain the relationship and keep building in your field.
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Revisit the ‘Why’: Ask yourself—what was I trying to get from this opportunity? Identify the core purpose and find another way to meet it. It’s not about checking a box; it’s about showing growth and curiosity.
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Commit to the Pivot: Whatever you do next, commit fully. A two-week filler won’t cut it. This is still your story. And it can be just as compelling—if not more—when you show how you made something meaningful out of a setback.
There’s going to be a lot of change in the coming months. More programs may disappear. More plans may fall through. Take a breath. You’ve got this.
The truth is—life doesn’t go according to plan. But how do you respond to these changes? That’s what admissions officers are really watching for. Show them resilience, creativity, and drive. That’s what sets you apart.
Have you had a summer opportunity disrupted? What are you planning to do instead? Let us know on Instagram or TikTok @admittedlyco. We want to hear from you and help others navigate this too.