S4E24: The Road Starts Early — Middle School Advice With Dr. Peggy Burich Smith
Admittedly: College Admissions with Thomas Caleel
Release Date: 08/03/2025
S4E43: 10th Grade Check-In: Grades, Extracurriculars, and Planning for Competitive College Admissions
Admittedly: College Admissions with Thomas Caleel
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...
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S4E42: Inside the Mind of a Top Tutor: Why Students Struggle and How to Help Them Thrive (With Advantage Testing’s Michelle Chasin)
Admittedly: College Admissions with Thomas Caleel
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...
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S4E41: Freshman Year Check-In: The Essential Guide to Grades, Activities & Summer Planning
Admittedly: College Admissions with Thomas Caleel
In this episode of The Admittedly Podcast, host Thomas Caleel breaks down what freshmen (and their parents) should be thinking about as they wrap up their first semester of high school. From academic foundations to extracurricular exploration to strategic planning for summer, Thomas explains why the habits students build now will shape their options in junior and senior year — especially if they’re aiming for selective or highly selective colleges. Rather than overwhelming families with long-term predictions, Thomas focuses on practical, immediate steps freshmen can take to stay on track,...
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S4E40: Results Guaranteed? The Real Story Behind Stats, Success Rates, and College Consulting Claims
Admittedly: College Admissions with Thomas Caleel
In this episode of the Admittedly Podcast, host Thomas Caleel breaks down one of the most confusing (and often misleading) parts of the college admissions landscape: how to evaluate a college consultant. With firms advertising guaranteed results, inflated acceptance lists, and “proprietary systems,” Thomas explains what families should actually be looking for when choosing an advisor for their high school student. Drawing on his years inside highly selective admissions, he clarifies why true expertise goes far beyond flashy claims, why transparency is non-negotiable, and how the right...
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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...
info_outlineIn this special episode of The Admittedly Podcast, host Thomas Caleel sits down with Dr. Peggy Burich-Smith, a senior counselor at Admittedly and a veteran educator with over 30 years of experience in independent school leadership. Together, they explore what it really takes to raise grounded, successful students—starting in middle school.
From managing the parent-child dynamic during high-pressure school years to navigating high school admissions with authenticity and strategy, this conversation is filled with practical wisdom and heartfelt perspective.
Peggy brings her unmatched insight from decades as a middle school head, director of studies, and college counselor to this candid conversation about early adolescence, parenting, and how to build a strong foundation for the road ahead.
Whether you're a parent of a middle schooler or thinking ahead to high school and college applications, this episode offers clarity, encouragement, and expert advice on how to support your child—without losing sight of what matters most.
For more resources and counseling support, visit www.admittedly.co