S4E40: Results Guaranteed? The Real Story Behind Stats, Success Rates, and College Consulting Claims
Admittedly: College Admissions with Thomas Caleel
Release Date: 11/25/2025
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...
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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...
info_outlineIn 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 counselor helps a student build confidence, independence, and an authentic narrative… not a manufactured profile.
Key Takeaways
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Look Beyond the Marketing: Many firms inflate their success statistics by counting recruited athletes or pro bono admits. Families must ask how results apply to students like theirs.
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No One Can Guarantee Admissions: Any consultant offering guaranteed outcomes is using unethical practices or misleading data. Admissions results are never certain.
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Experience Matters: A strong counselor brings depth of knowledge, years in admissions or advising, and a proven ability to guide students—not just their own application story.
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Personalization Beats Templates: The best consultants help students uncover who they are, not fit into a preset formula or checklist.
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Parents Need Trusted Guidance: Over-involvement creates pressure and weakens student voice; a good counselor serves as a neutral, stabilizing force.
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Time Is Your Biggest Advantage: Starting early allows students to grow, develop interests, build self-awareness, and avoid last-minute panic before senior year.
Choosing a college consultant should be an informed, transparent process… not a leap of faith. This episode gives families the tools to ask better questions, understand how the industry really works, and identify who can genuinely support their student’s long-term success.
Families can find more guidance and explore Admittedly’s advising approach at www.admittedly.co, and follow along on Instagram and TikTok at @admittedlyco.