Yale University Admissions Counseling & Application Guidance

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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Dr. Scyatta Wallace holds a BA from Yale University and a PhD from Fordham University. As an award-winning scientist and nationally recognized leader, she has been featured in Time Magazine, ABCNews, CNN, and Essence Magazine. With over 16 years of experience in higher education, she served as an Associate Professor at St. John’s University for 12 years and as an assistant professor at SUNY Downstate Medical Center for over four years. 

Additionally, Dr Wallace sat on the Yale admissions committee  as an applicant interviewer, and served on an inaugural admissions committee at a health-focused graduate program for years, where she worked to develop guidelines for admissions, reviewed applications, and provided recommendations for admission. 

Dr. Wallace believes college is a transformative journey where students not only gain knowledge but also grow emotionally and socially. Recognizing the profound impact this experience can have, she is deeply passionate about guiding applicants toward colleges that align with their unique needs and aspirations. She has helped students gain admission to top institutions, including UCLA, Brown, Yale, NYU, UChicago, Columbia .

As a coach, Dr. Wallace takes the time to understand each applicant’s unique personality, talents, and concerns. She tailors her approach to fit their individual working style, encouraging them to learn more about themselves to enhance the application process. Dr. Wallace aims to make her sessions relaxed and engaging, creating a comfortable environment for open conversation. Her motto is that the college application process should be fun because it’s such an exciting time! Dr. Wallace considers it an honor to share the joy of such a special moment in applicants’ lives as they find their perfect match to start their college career.

In her free time, Dr. Wallace enjoys photography, traveling, reading, and spending quality time with her family.

Dr. Wallace’s Pro Tip?

Admissions officers need to grasp who you are through your application materials, with limited time to read between the lines. That’s why it’s crucial to be clear, concise, and captivating in your application!

Orli completed her undergraduate degree from Dartmouth College and two Master’s degrees from Yale and Stanford. She brings a rich background in education and admissions guidance, including roles as a teacher, mentor, tutor, interviewer, and essay adviser. She also has direct experience with the admissions process at Dartmouth and Yale. Recognized for her exceptional interviewing skills at Yale, Orli has been commended by Dartmouth Admissions for her impactful interview reports, contributing significantly to the admissions decisions of numerous candidates. Currently, Orli advises students on their college essays at a prestigious high school in New York City and provides personalized application guidance for pre-college and internship programs. Her efforts have successfully aided students in gaining admission to top universities, including Cornell, Duke, Columbia, Princeton, Yale, and Rice.

Orli's admissions experience at prestigious Ivy League institutions, coupled with her various roles, keeps her deeply engaged and knowledgeable about the nuances of college admissions. She offers comprehensive application support, helping students develop their candidacy, discover their passions, and navigate the entire process. Orli is passionate about assisting students during this pivotal phase, guiding them through the excitement of realizing their academic and personal growth. She understands the stress that can accompany the admissions process, so her goal is to help students feel more comfortable. Using a creative and holistic approach, Orli focuses on organization, coping strategies, and self-discipline to help students prepare for college and beyond.

Recognizing the value of every student’s interest and passion, Orli excels in creatively integrating these interests into the students' application strategies. By prioritizing building these meaningful relationships with students, she ensures their experience is not only educational but also engaging, empowering, and enjoyable. 

Orli values building a strong rapport with students and strongly believes in the power of teamwork. She contends that collaborative effort between her and students creates the supportive and enriching environment necessary for success. She is excited to motivate and guide students toward their goals, instilling a sense of hopefulness and optimism about the future and its possibilities.

Orli's interests outside of coaching span a wide array of "nerdy" fandoms, from anime and manga to Star Wars and Lord of the Rings. She is an enthusiastic home chef, jeweler, fitness enthusiast, and avid reader.