S2E24: How to Write Great College Admissions Supplement Essays

In this episode, your host, Thomas Caleel, delves into the world of college supplements and supplemental essays. With the approaching November 1 deadline for early action and early decision applications, Thomas aims to ease concerns and provide a roadmap for success in tackling these critical components of the college application process. Key Points: Understanding the Significance of Supplements: Supplements are an essential part of your college application, offering schools the chance to convey their values and interests to prospective students. Careful reading and research are vital when responding to supplement questions. Planning Ahead for Interactive Supplements: Some schools have interactive supplements, meaning your choice of major or academic interest can trigger specific essay prompts. Avoid last-minute panic by indicating your academic interest early and considering all potential essay prompts. Honesty and Alignment: Be honest about your academic interests and goals. Ensure your chosen major aligns with your extracurricular activities and experiences, as inconsistencies may raise questions. Crafting Effective Essays: Supplemental essays typically revolve around why you want to study at a particular school and how you intend to contribute to the community. Avoid generic responses and instead focus on your unique experiences, interests, and how they relate to the school's offerings. Short Answers and Lists: Don't overthink short answer questions or lists. Use them to showcase your genuine interests, hobbies, and quirks. Avoid trying to conform to perceived expectations and instead be yourself. Conclusion: College supplements and supplemental essays are crucial elements of the application process. Start early, thoroughly research each school's values and offerings, and craft authentic responses that reflect your unique personality and goals. Remember, this process is an opportunity to show how you'll contribute to the school's community and make your mark on campus. Best of luck as you navigate this important step in your college journey! About Thomas Caleel Thomas is an alumnus of the University of Pennsylvania. After earning his MBA at the Wharton School of Business in 2003, he moved to Silicon Valley. For three years, he was Director of MBA Admissions and Financial Aid at Wharton. He worked closely with admissions professionals, students, alumni, and professors to curate the best possible MBA class. Thomas has been an entrepreneur his entire life in the fields of finance, agriculture, wellness, and sporting goods. As the founder of Global Education Opportunities LLC, he works as a high level admissions advisor to help families and students achieve their education goals. Thomas started the podcast Admittedly because he is passionate about demystifying the application process for all parents and applicants. Make sure to follow @admittedlypodcast on instagram and @admittedlypodcast on TikTok. Please subscribe to our newsletter for important updates and subscriber only content. 

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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.