If you're ready to take the next step in your admissions journey, visit apply.admittedly.co to register for a free Family Action Call with one of our advisors.

Parents worry about grades, test scores, and résumés. But underneath all of that, what really shapes a student who can thrive in competitive academics and in life?

In this episode, Thomas Caleel talks with Mario Mendez, Community Accountability Manager and Senior Program Staff at Wilderness Youth Project (WYP) in Santa Barbara, about how nature, unstructured exploration, and real-world challenge help kids build the resilience, awareness, and confidence they need long before they ever apply to college.

Mario draws on decades of experience working with young people in South America, the Middle East, Europe, and the United States. Together, he and Thomas unpack how nature-based programs can support mental health, reduce stress, and help students develop a stronger sense of self – and why those qualities matter so much in highly selective college admissions.

• Education beyond the classroom Why real education includes social emotional learning, self-awareness, and lived experience, not just what happens in class.

• Nature as a tool for awareness and belonging How tracking, observation, and time outdoors teach kids to notice their surroundings, read a room, and understand their impact on others.

• Access, equity, and Bridge to Nature How programs like WYP's Bridge to Nature serve under resourced students, and why nature connection is not just for "outdoorsy" or privileged families.

• What families can do anywhere Practical ways to build nature connection in cities and suburbs using small routines: a single tree, a window, a daily walk, or attention to seasonal changes.

• Storytelling, resilience, and admissions How a rich inner life, curiosity, and the ability to tell your own story show up in college essays and in the way students move through school and life.

This conversation is especially helpful for parents who see anxiety, burnout, or disconnection in their kids and want something more meaningful than another activity on the schedule. It is also for families thinking about highly selective admissions who recognize that resilience, authenticity, and self-knowledge are just as important as GPA and test scores.

Links to Wilderness Youth Project, Mario's recommended resources, and related nature-connection tools:

1. Nature Connection and Outdoor School Directory

2. Learn More About Wilderness Youth Project

3. Read About Stress Busters

For more support on building thoughtful, strategic paths to college for your student, visit admittedly.co and follow @admittedlyco on Instagram and TikTok.

In this episode of the Admittedly Podcast, Thomas Caleel breaks down why junior year is the most consequential year in the college admissions process. As students are assigned college counselors and admissions timelines become real, he explains what juniors should be focused on right now — and where families often misunderstand how the process actually works.

This conversation covers academic rigor, grades, standardized testing, teacher relationships, extracurricular strategy, and junior summer planning, with a clear message throughout: junior year is not the time to drift or wait for direction. Students who want competitive outcomes need to take ownership, make intentional choices, and understand how admissions officers evaluate applications in context.

• Junior year grades and course rigor carry the most weight

• SAT/ACT prep should already be underway

• Teacher relationships now shape recommendation letters later

• School counselors do not manage the process for you

• Extracurriculars should narrow and deepen, not multiply

• Junior summer must be planned with purpose

For juniors, the second semester is not a pause. It's a pivot point. This is when academic performance, testing, extracurricular decisions, and summer planning begin to directly shape college outcomes. For parents, this episode offers clarity on where guidance helps, where pressure backfires, and how to support students without outsourcing responsibility or trusting the process blindly.

Families can explore free guides, blog articles, and admissions resources at admittedly.co, and continue the conversation on Instagram and TikTok at @admittedlyco, where questions from students and parents often shape future episodes.

Happy New Year, listeners!

In this Season 5 premiere of the Admittedly Podcast, host Thomas Caleel kicks off the new year by addressing one of the most important questions students and families face: how to take control of the college admissions process instead of leaving outcomes to chance.

Drawing on decades of experience in highly selective admissions, Thomas reflects on the lessons of the past admissions cycle and explains why early planning, honest self-assessment, and clear goals matter more than ever in 2026. He breaks down common misconceptions about admissions, the growing emphasis on academic rigor and testing, and why students don't need to reinvent themselves — they need clarity, consistency, and authenticity.

This episode is especially relevant for freshmen, sophomores, and juniors who want to approach the year ahead with intention, as well as parents looking for a realistic, transparent framework for supporting their students without unnecessary pressure.

Key Takeaways:

• You don't need a new version of yourself. You need clearer goals.

• Highly selective admissions reward planning, not last-minute effort.

• Academic rigor and grades matter more as schools push back on grade inflation.

• Tutoring, test prep, and support work best when started early — not reactively.

• Doing fewer things well beats chasing checklists or copying other students.

• Authenticity and self-awareness are what help students stand out in large applicant pools.

Listeners can continue the conversation and find ongoing guidance by following Admittedly on Instagram and TikTok at @admittedlyco.

Additional free resources (including guides, blogs, and tools designed to clarify the college admissions process) are available at admittedly.co.

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 juniors can use it as a benchmark to see what they may need to adjust.

• Sophomore Year Is a Pressure Jump: Classes get harder fast, and this is often when students realize that high school rigor is cumulative.

• Fix Academic Gaps Now: Winter break is the best time to address weak foundations in math, science, and core subjects before they compound.

• Rigor Matters More Than Ever: Taking the most challenging courses available and performing well is essential for competitive college admissions.

• Extracurriculars Need Focus: Sophomore year is the time to narrow activities, say no to what no longer serves you, and go deeper where interest and impact align.

• Be Honest About Athletics: If recruitment is unlikely, students need to rebalance early to avoid becoming one dimensional.

• Start Planning for Summer Early: Applications for summer programs, jobs, and volunteering often open now, and early action creates real options.

• Testing Preparation Starts Here: Reading consistently and beginning light SAT or ACT prep now pays off significantly later.

Families can explore free college admissions resources, guides, and blogs at admittedly.co.

For daily advice, follow us on Instagram and TikTok: @admittedlyco

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 set students up for success not only on standardized tests but throughout high school, college, and beyond.

Key Topics:

• Why academic anxiety has increased and how to help students break through it

• What "missing foundations" look like and how long-term tutoring repairs them

• How consistent, incremental practice outperforms last-minute cramming

• Why failure and "messing up" are critical parts of real learning

• Effective ways parents can support academic growth without increasing pressure

• How to motivate gifted students who appear disengaged

• Lessons from competitive chess that apply directly to test prep and high-level academics

• Why there is no such thing as a "natural test taker" — only strong processes and habits

Guest:

Michelle Chasin: Associate Director of Advantage Testing New York, senior tutor, mentor, and parent of a seven-time national chess champion, with three decades of experience supporting students through deep, long-term academic development.

Learn more about Admittedly's partnership with Advantage Testing: admittedly.co/programs

Follow Admittedly: Instagram and TikTok: @admittedlyco

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, reduce future stress, and explore their interests with intention.

• Academic Foundations Matter: Freshman year grades and mastery—not just passing—set the tone for your entire transcript. Weak foundations now become big problems in junior year.
• Teachers Should Know You: Asking questions, checking in after class, and building relationships early pays off later when rigor increases and recommendations matter.
• You Must Be Doing Something Outside of Class: Clubs, sports, jobs, community involvement—freshman year is about exploration, not perfection. But doing nothing is not an option.
• Summer Planning Starts Now: Applications for competitive or meaningful summer programs open between December and February. Freshmen need to be ahead of the curve, not scrambling in April.
• Choose Activities With Intention, Not Prestige: Freshman summer doesn't need to be fancy. Programs, jobs, volunteering, or personal projects all count—admissions officers care about why you did something and what you gained from it.
• Reading Is a Superpower: Regular reading builds critical thinking and reading speed, two skills that make a huge difference for future SAT/ACT prep and AP courses.

Freshman year sets the foundation for high school. This episode walks you through how to self-assess, course-correct, and plan ahead without burning out or getting caught up in panic culture.

Follow along on Instagram and TikTok @admittedlyco for more tips to stay ahead.

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 counselor helps a student build confidence, independence, and an authentic narrative… not a manufactured profile.

• 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.

• No One Can Guarantee Admissions: Any consultant offering guaranteed outcomes is using unethical practices or misleading data. Admissions results are never certain.

• 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.

• Personalization Beats Templates: The best consultants help students uncover who they are, not fit into a preset formula or checklist.

• Parents Need Trusted Guidance: Over-involvement creates pressure and weakens student voice; a good counselor serves as a neutral, stabilizing force.

• 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.

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 of expensive pre-college programs that don't move the needle.

Key Takeaways

Start Early: Selective summer programs open applications between December and February, and scholarships disappear quickly. Early planning gives students real options.

Not All Programs Matter: Most pre-college programs hosted on university campuses do not impact admissions. Only a small handful are truly selective.

Depth Beats Prestige: Admissions officers care about why you chose an experience and what you learned—not the brand name attached to it.

Strong Summers Don't Require Money: Jobs, volunteering, community work, or building your own project can be just as impactful as formal programs.

Explore With Intention: The best summer activities for high school students show curiosity, consistency, and growth (not a checklist of unrelated activities).

Summer is one of the most misunderstood pieces of the college admissions puzzle. Whether you're a freshman, sophomore, or junior, planning early helps you create meaningful experiences, avoid rushed decisions, and build a narrative that stands out. This episode breaks down how to think strategically about summer programs, jobs, volunteering, and independent opportunities so your choices actually support your long-term goals.

Families can find more resources on summer planning at www.admittedly.co and on Instagram and TikTok at @admittedlyco.

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. Through powerful examples from students he has guided, from costume designers to community leaders, this episode unpacks how self-awareness, focus, and coherence make the difference between a good application and a great one.

1. The Resume Myth Admissions is not a checklist. Doing more does not make you stand out; it makes you blend in. Top schools see thousands of "captains," "presidents," and "founders." What matters is why you chose what you did and what you learned along the way.

2. Depth Over Breadth Students who slow down and invest deeply in a few meaningful pursuits instead of chasing every opportunity demonstrate maturity, focus, and authenticity. Less really can be more.

3. Introspection Is Power Reflection builds connection. Admissions officers can feel when an applicant understands themselves. The best essays do not just describe activities; they reveal growth, intention, and purpose.

4. Narrative Coherence Wins When your choices, experiences, and essays fit together naturally, you tell a story that admissions officers can remember and advocate for. That is the hidden skill behind every standout applicant.

College admissions is not just about proving what you have done; it is about showing who you have become.

Visit www.admittedly.co for free resources, guides, and upcoming webinar dates.

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 is just starting high school or in the middle of the application process, this episode offers practical advice on how to stand out in today's hyper-competitive admissions landscape.

1. No Story Top students don't just collect activities — they craft a clear narrative. Admissions officers want to understand who you are, what drives you, and how your choices connect. Story-building starts earlier than most families think, and it requires intentional reflection.

2. No Strategy Doing everything is not a strategy. Students who spread themselves too thin dilute their impact. Thomas shares how to audit your commitments, focus on meaningful pursuits, and show depth over breadth — the key to a memorable application.

3. No Ownership Parents, counselors, and peers can offer support, but the most powerful applications come from students who take charge of their journey. True ownership builds voice, maturity, and self-awareness — qualities that can't be faked in essays or interviews.

Even in a world of rising selectivity and grade inflation, students who approach the process with story, strategy, and ownership stand out.

Visit www.admittedly.co for free resources and guidance on college admissions.