Conflicting Guidance
Your child is bright, driven, and has worked hard. So why does getting into a top college feel so confusing and stressful?
Watch this 4-minute video to learn the exact strategy used by top admissions committees to evaluate applications straight from Thomas Caleel, former Director of MBA Admissions at Wharton and founder of Admittedly.
Your child is bright, driven, and has worked hard. So why does getting into a top college feel so confusing and stressful?
Having a 4.0 GPA and a long list of impressive-sounding activities without a compelling narrative is no longer enough to standout.
Top colleges don’t want perfect applicants; they want an interesting, impactful community. Trying to win by checking boxes is a losing strategy that leads to burnout and stress.
I’m Thomas Caleel. As a parent of two high schoolers and the former Director of MBA Admissions at Wharton, I’ve seen the stress this process causes. What worked for us won’t work for our kids.
That’s why I gathered a team of former admissions officers from the nation’s top universities. We took our years of experience behind the desk and built a system for today’s landscape.
Our Early Edge program empowers your child to build a profile that is both authentic and strategic.
We provide the structure and insider’s perspective to help your child craft a unique narrative and articulate their value with confidence.

We help your child discover their core story. This becomes the strategic foundation for their entire application.
We help them cultivate a focused area of excellence that makes them memorable in a sea of well-rounded applicants
We guide them to focus on activities where they can create genuine, measurable impact—not just “stack” clubs.
We provide the mentorship that helps your child own this process and articulate their value with confidence.
From brainstorming to final drafts, our former admissions officers push students to write essays that are authentic, strategic, and impossible to forget.
“After Dami’s deferral from Yale, we felt lost. Admittedly’s team guided us with care and expertise, helping Dami reframe her story. The result? Acceptances to 19 top universities, including Yale, Stanford, and Columbia. Years later, they worked with her brother, who got into Wharton early decision. Thomas and his team have been invaluable to our family.”
Mr. Adekeye, Parent of Dami (Yale) & Brother (Wharton)
“I thought I had done all the research, but when it came time to create my application, I realized I was completely unprepared. Admittedly’s help was beyond anything I’d seen. Their insights were unique, actionable, and not available anywhere else. The result? An acceptance to Harvard’s Class of 2029.”
Josh, Admitted to Harvard
“Admittedly helped us build a strategic plan that aligned with his love for astrophysics... no student from his school had ever been admitted to UChicago. His unique story stood out to the admissions committee, and he was accepted. We couldn’t be more grateful!”
Lily, Parent of UChicago Admit
Hear From Our Students
Our students don’t just dream about attending top universities—they get in. See how Admittedly has helped families navigate the admissions process with confidence and achieve life-changing results.
“Teenagers respond to external coaches differently than they do to their parents. We see it time and again… Having
an experienced Counselor doesn’t just produce a better application—it reduces the pressure on the entire family. You
get to be their biggest supporter again.”
Thomas Caleel, Founder of Admittedly
Apply for a Complimentary Admissions Strategy Session.
This is a 60-minute comprehensive call to map out a clear path for your child. We will: