S4E34: Inside the Review Room – How Admissions Officers Read Applications

In this episode of the Admittedly Podcast, host Thomas Caleel, former Director of MBA Admissions at Wharton, takes you behind the scenes of the admissions office to show how applications are actually read. From transcripts and essays to activities, recommendations, and test scores, Thomas explains what admissions officers focus on and how they build a three-dimensional picture of each applicant.

Key Takeaways:

• Applications are often reviewed in just three to five minutes, so clarity and strategy matter.

• Transcripts are scored separately, then weighed alongside essays, activities, and recommendations.

• Admissions officers don’t always read in order—they jump across sections to connect the dots.

• Context matters: family responsibilities, school resources, and personal chall enges shape how an application is viewed.

• Strong recommendations highlight character and classroom presence, not just academic success.

• Additional essays should clarify key details, not overload with extra information.

• The best applications give admissions officers a clear, memorable story they can advocate for in committee.

Whether you’re aiming at Ivy League and T20 schools, or simply want to understand how admissions officers evaluate files at competitive colleges, this episode will help you prepare an application that works under real review conditions.

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