2. Junior Year of High School

In this episode of Admittedly, Thomas addresses families with high schoolers in their junior year. Admissions counselors at schools are contacting juniors, parents are scrambling over how and when to get started, and the pressure is on to get everything ready for college applications. Thomas touches on the importance of grades junior year, why leadership roles can make you a better candidate for university, and how you should spend your summer leading up to senior year. These topics will be further explored in future episodes, but with the tips discussed in this episode, you can start planning and thinking about schools that work for your family, your budget, and your goals right now. Key Highlights When to start the admissions process The first step juniors need to take Examining your grades and extracurriculars Showing initiative and work ethic What to do during the summer Some questions to ask yourself about the academic and physical environment you want to be a part of What to look for in a college when you're researching How you can get started right now Selecting the right schools to apply to About Thomas Thomas Caleel is the former Director of MBA Admissions and Financial Aid for his alma mater, The Wharton School of Business at the University of Pennsylvania. Thomas also served on the Dean’s Globalization Committee and was a member of the Wharton Graduate Executive Board.    Thomas has been an entrepreneur his whole life and is currently the Chairman and Founding CEO of Global Education Opportunities, LLC, an international education consulting and Admissions Advisory firm. Although education is his passion he has also worked in the fields of finance, agriculture, wellness, skincare, and sporting goods.    Thomas received his MBA in Finance from the Wharton School and his BA from the University of Pennsylvania. Thomas started the Admittedly Podcast because he is passionate about demystifying the application process and wanted to be provide helpful information and advice to parents and students who are feeling overwhelmed by the whole process.    Follow Admittedly on social media: TikTok: @admittedlypodcast Instagram: @admittedlypodcast

Om Podcasten

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.