In this episode of The Admittedly Podcast, host Thomas Caleel, former Director of MBA Admissions and Financial Aid at Wharton, walks through how to approach Stanford's three supplemental essay prompts — and the common mistakes that hold students back. Thomas explains how to write with authenticity, connect your story to the Stanford community, and avoid cliché answers that admissions officers have read thousands of times. From the "intellectual curiosity" prompt to the roommate essay and the diversity question, this episode is a practical guide to building stronger, more intentional responses. Whether you are just starting your Stanford application or polishing your final drafts, this episode will help you approach these essays strategically, stay authentic, and make a lasting impression. Follow us on Instagram and TikTok @admittedlyco for more essay tips, and visit <a href="http://www.admittedly.co">www.admittedly.co</a> for webinars, resources, and guidance on applying to Stanford and other highly selective schools.

In this episode of The Admittedly Podcast, host Thomas Caleel, former Director of MBA Admissions and Financial Aid at Wharton, walks through how to approach Stanford's three supplemental essay prompts — and the common mistakes that hold students back. Thomas explains how to write with authenticity, connect your story to the Stanford community, and avoid cliché answers that admissions officers have read thousands of times. From the "intellectual curiosity" prompt to the roommate essay and the diversity question, this episode is a practical guide to building stronger, more intentional responses. Whether you are just starting your Stanford application or polishing your final drafts, this episode will help you approach these essays strategically, stay authentic, and make a lasting impression. Follow us on Instagram and TikTok @admittedlyco for more essay tips, and visit www.admittedly.co for webinars, resources, and guidance on applying to Stanford and other highly selective schools.

In this episode of The Admittedly Podcast, host Thomas Caleel, former Director of MBA Admissions and Financial Aid at Wharton, walks through how to approach Stanford's three supplemental essay prompts — and the common mistakes that hold students back. Thomas explains how to write with authenticity, connect your story to the Stanford community, and avoid cliché answers that admissions officers have read thousands of times. From the "intellectual curiosity" prompt to the roommate essay and the diversity question, this episode is a practical guide to building stronger, more intentional responses. Whether you are just starting your Stanford application or polishing your final drafts, this episode will help you approach these essays strategically, stay authentic, and make a lasting impression. Follow us on Instagram and TikTok @admittedlyco for more essay tips, and visit <a href="http://www.admittedly.co" rel="noopener noreferrer">www.admittedly.co</a> for webinars, resources, and guidance on applying to Stanford and other highly selective schools.

S4E28: Stanford Supplements 2025: How to Approach Them (and What to Avoid)

Does thinking about applying to college, grad school, or prep school make your head spin? The Admittedly Podcast is for both parents and students preparing for or navigating school admissions. We aim to demystify the admissions process and share with you what you really need to know to succeed. 

Our host, Thomas Caleel, former director of MBA admissions and financial aid for the Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania, is here to help. He is a lifelong entrepreneur and CEO of a global admissions consulting agency where he works with families worldwide to help them achieve their educational goals. 

New episodes go live every Tuesday and Thursday. Learn from our guest speakers, live coaching sessions, and weekly solo episodes. Have admissions questions you'd like answered on the show? Apply to be coached by Thomas himself on one of our upcoming recordings. 

In this podcast, we don't promise easy answers or quick fixes. But with decades of experience under his belt, Thomas will address the practical aspects of applying to school and how to think like an admissions officer to improve your college or prep school application.

Education

How To

Does thinking about applying to college, grad school, or prep school make your head spin? The Admittedly Podcast is for both parents and students preparing for or navigating school admissions. We aim to demystify the admissions process and share with you what you really need to know to succeed. Our host, Thomas Caleel, former director of MBA admissions and financial aid for the Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania, is here to help. He is a lifelong entrepreneur and CEO of a global admissions consulting agency where he works with families worldwide to help them achieve their educational goals. New episodes go live every Tuesday and Thursday. Learn from our guest speakers, live coaching sessions, and weekly solo episodes. Have admissions questions you'd like answered on the show? Apply to be coached by Thomas himself on one of our upcoming recordings. In this podcast, we don't promise easy answers or quick fixes. But with decades of experience under his belt, Thomas will address the practical aspects of applying to school and how to think like an admissions officer to improve your college or prep school application.

Share S4E28: Stanford Supplements 2025: How to Approach Them (and What to Avoid)

Sign up to save your podcasts

S4E28: Stanford Supplements 2025: How to Approach Them (and What to Avoid)

S4E28: Stanford Supplements 2025: How to Approach Them (and What to Avoid)

More shows like Admittedly: College Admissions with Thomas Caleel

The One You Feed

Money Girl

Getting In: A College Coach Conversation

The College Essay Guy Podcast: A Practical Guide to College Admissions

Your College Bound Kid | Admission Tips, Admission Trends & Admission Interviews

The College Admissions Edge

Inside the Admissions Office: Advice from Former Admissions Officers

Inside the Yale Admissions Office

Ask Lisa: The Psychology of Raising Tweens & Teens

Inside College Admissions

Admissions Beat

The College Admissions Process Podcast

The Truth about College Admission

Shift - College admissions in a changing world

The Game: A Guide to Elite College Admissions