Meet Kate!

Kate Ollerhead-Galvin, College Counselor

Kate combines her expertise in psychology, counseling, and education to guide students through the college application process with confidence and clarity. She holds a master’s degree in counseling from Johns Hopkins (where she graduated summa cum laude), a Bachelor of Arts in psychology with a minor in studio arts from Loyola College in Baltimore, and a college counseling certification from UC Berkeley. She specializes in working with students navigating anxiety, complex family dynamics, and uncertainty about their future path.

Kate’s professional experience spans a wide range of roles, each contributing to her deep understanding of the college admissions process and the unique needs of students. She has served as a seasonal application reader for Wellesley College, where she worked closely with the admissions office to evaluate prospective students’ applications. In this role, Kate assesses applicants based on their alignment with Wellesley’s values and academic standards, ensuring that each candidate is thoughtfully considered. Her experience as an application reader allows her to provide valuable insight into the admissions process, making her an excellent resource for students and families navigating college applications. 

In addition to her work with Wellesley, Kate has a rich background in mental health counseling focused on youth. She worked as a mental health rehabilitation specialist at Oakes Children’s Center in San Francisco, where she was part of a multidisciplinary team that addressed the educational and behavioral needs of middle school students. She also has research experience at the Johns Hopkins School of Medicine in youth psychology, specifically in areas related to childhood suggestibility, memory, and mental health. These unique counseling experiences have prepared her to engage thoughtfully and meaningfully with Collegewise students. 

Kate is especially skilled at helping students discover their strengths and interests, ensuring they feel seen, supported, and empowered in their college search. She has successfully advised students pursuing a wide range of paths, including STEM (especially given her own extensive research in psychology and the medical field), performing and visual arts, and first-generation college applicants. 

Her work with students goes beyond just academic advising; she aims to help them discover the right fit for their future and develop the skills necessary to succeed. Kate’s background in both counseling and college admissions gives her a unique perspective, enabling her to guide students not only through the application process but also in developing the self-awareness and confidence to make decisions that will set them up for long-term success.

Education & Experience

UC Berkeley, College Admissions Counseling Certification

Johns Hopkins University, M.A.

Loyola College, B.A.

Wellesley College, seasonal application reader

Milton Art Center, children’s art teacher

Oakes Children’s Center, mental health rehabilitation specialist 

United Behavioral Health, Intake Counselor 

Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Department of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry

Professional Organization Memberships

NACAC: National Association for College Admission Counseling  

ACA: American Counseling Association