Dartmouth Admissions Counseling: Boost Your Chances Of Acceptance

Katelynn earned a BS and BA from Baldwin Wallace University, an MS from Harvard University, and a PhD from the University of St. Andrews in Scotland. She has over 15 years of admissions and advising experience, including working as a Recruiter in the Office of Admissions at Baldwin Wallace, a Student Admissions Representative and application reader at Harvard University , and a Graduate and Undergraduate Admissions and Recruitment Specialist at St. Andrews.

In her diverse admissions roles, Katelynn played a key role in making admissions and scholarship decisions, organizing and leading tours for prospective students, and spearheading recruitment campaigns. She also took the initiative to develop student-focused media resources for potential applicants and conducted interviews to hire new team members. Katelynn has coached students from all over the world, helping numerous individuals gain admission to top-tier institutions such as MIT, Brown, UC schools, Harvard, Princeton, Yale, Northwestern, Caltech, UPenn, Cornell, UChicago, Columbia, Rice, Notre Dame, and Carnegie Mellon.

Katelynn is passionate about helping applicants achieve their goals while minimizing stress. She understands how incredibly time-consuming and energy-draining the application process is, so her approach as a coach is to teach strategies that maximize efficiency while optimizing results in a healthy, sustainable way. She believes the most rewarding part is when a student not only submits a strong application but also gains confidence in both the finished product and the personal growth they experience throughout the process—once the weight of the overwhelming demands has been lifted.

Having worked with a wide range of students, Katelynn possesses a deep understanding of the unique needs of each individual and the complexities of the often opaque application process. She is deeply committed to the success of every student, taking a personalized approach to each case. With a background in psychology, Katelynn prioritizes building strong relationships with students and their families, taking the time to understand their motivations and passions. This allows her to collaborate with students in crafting the most distinctive and successful application possible, while ensuring they remain true to themselves throughout the process. 

Rather than focusing solely on what is typically considered “appealing” on paper, Katelynn emphasizes the importance of presenting a unique narrative. She understands that admissions committees value authenticity and personal stories that reflect the student’s genuine interests, strengths, and goals. While every admissions office has baseline criteria, each officer also brings their own set of personal preferences and red flags that may not always be predictable. Katelynn ensures that students avoid the common pitfall of trying to guess what an admissions officer “wants” to hear; instead, she helps them highlight their most authentic voice in their applications.

In her free time, Katelynn loves to travel and to write—she’s particularly keen on live music, extreme destinations, and unique culinary experiences.

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Jessica holds a Bachelor's degree from Princeton University and a Master's from the Harvard Graduate School of Education. She has a wealth of experience assisting students in grades 5-10 seeking admission to independent day and boarding schools nationwide. At a community-based organization, she spearheaded group training and provided individual coaching sessions for prospective students and their families. Jessica has covered various aspects of the application process, interview preparation, and financial aid applications.

Her passion is ensuring students reach their full potential by finding their ideal school. Jessica takes great satisfaction in shepherding students through the application process, ultimately helping them discover the perfect fit. Jessica's commitment to the success of her students makes her an invaluable resource for those seeking admission to prestigious independent schools.

As a coach, she excels in helping students clarify their desires and expectations for their educational journey, encompassing academic, social, and experiential aspects. Jessica thrives on rigorously evaluating schools and delving into profound inquiries to create a narrative representing each applicant, including their unique interests. She has a knack for assisting students in recognizing their strengths, allowing them to shine in their applications.

Jessica's primary goal is to structure what sometimes feels overwhelming and daunting. She takes pride in offering a nurturing environment for students, fostering reflection and thoughtfulness to empower them to stand by their choices confidently.

Her dedication has yielded remarkable results, with students gaining admission to renowned institutions such as Phillips Exeter Academy, Andover Academy, St. Paul's School, Choate Rosemary Hall, Cate School, Thacher School, Midland School, Dunn School, The Webb Schools, Chadwick School, Brentwood School, Vistamar School, The Archer School for Girls, Harvard-Westlake, Flintridge Preparatory School, Oakwood School, The Buckley School, Viewpoint School, New Roads School, Crossroads School, Sage Hill School, and many more. 

Outside of her coaching endeavors, Jessica enjoys listening to podcasts, exploring walking trails, and cherishing quality moments with her family.

Elgin graduated from Dartmouth College with a BA before completing an MA from the University of Phoenix. He brings over a decade of experience in education, leadership, and coaching to his role as a counselor. Elgin has served as an interviewer on the Dartmouth College admissions committee, giving him firsthand insight into what top schools seek in applicants. Students he has coached have been accepted to top schools, including Dartmouth College, Yale University, and the United States Air Force Academy.

Professionally, Elgin has held a range of positions dedicated to student growth and success. He is currently a Special Education Coordinator at James Irwin Charter Schools and a Learning Services Coordinator at Rocky Mountain Classical Academy. Previously, he served as Special Education Coordinator at Academy School District 20, Director of Special Education at The Vanguard School, and Special Education Teacher at Cheyenne Mountain High School. His leadership across these roles has equipped him with the expertise to understand diverse student needs and the strategies to help them thrive academically and personally.

 A former Dartmouth College basketball player, Elgin has spent over seven years as the Head Boys Basketball Coach at Cheyenne Mountain High School, combining his love of sports with his passion for mentoring students. His coaching experience has shaped his collaborative, motivational approach, ensuring that every student he works with feels both challenged and supported.

Elgin’s passion for coaching stems from his love of seeing others reach their goals and achieve their dreams. He believes that everyone has the ability to succeed, but that the right guidance, encouragement, and accountability can make all the difference. For him, the most rewarding part of coaching is seeing where students start and how far they are able to go together.

Elgin’s greatest strength as a coach is his ability to connect with students on a personal level. He takes the time to learn what motivates each individual and draws on his own experiences to provide meaningful advice. By creating a strong, trust-based relationship, he empowers students to navigate challenges and approach their goals with confidence.

Outside of coaching, Elgin enjoys spending time with his wife and daughter, playing and watching sports, being outdoors, and going to the movies.

Elgin’s Pro Tip?

Students who stand out are the ones who go the extra mile to show admissions committees that their story is unique and that they can bring something to the college that no one else can.