Essay Coach
Allison Hadley brings her background in academia and her love of storytelling to helping college applicants hone their essays. She earned her PhD in Italian Language and Literature from Yale University in 2018, focusing on the intersection of literature, theater, and the urban form.
I had a great experience with Hello College! Allison kept me on track and was very motivating throughout the whole process. She answered any questions I had and was a big help with getting all the applications in on time!
Student
Hinsdale South High School
Allison is the BEST! She guided me in the process of applying to colleges and lead me to success. She helped me stay organized, made sure I was on time for all my deadlines, and had an amazing plan to help me get into the schools that I wanted to! Now I am planning to attend my dream school UNC Chapel Hill! I would not have been able to do it without her!
Student
Eugene Ashley High School
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
Hello college helped me so much with making sure I stayed in track during the college application process. With the multiple one on one meetings with counselers and personal essay helpers I never once felt stressed. I recommend Allison Dahleen, she was the biggest help and guided me into getting into now my future school, Notre Dame!
Student
Batavia High School
University of Notre Dame
Allison is super helpful with keeping me organized, making sure that everything is completed and all of my activities are accounted for. She helped me manage the application process and build a college list that best fit my major and interests. I was also able to receive helpful feedback on my essays and create my best drafts before submitting!
Student
York Community High School
Hello College is a top tier college preparatory program; and would recommend them. My twins (class of 2025) have successfully achieved acceptance into their respective universities – thanks to this program and our ace counselor, Allison. She has kept them focused, motivated and engaged in what can be a cumbersome, confusing process. In addition to Allison’s guidance, each of them had an amazing college essay coach to help them find their voice in that all important essay. Parents, my one bit of advice is to start with Hello College by the winter of your student’s Junior HS year if not sooner – as they have a lot of test prep services as well. Hello College is the real deal and a valuable investment to make.
Parent of Piper & Georgia
Naperville Central High School
Butler University & The University of Iowa
Allison Dahleen has been one of the best college counselor out there. She has helped me submit all my applications way before the deadline came and not only helped me track everything but also aided in ongoing advice my entire experience. I am so grateful for all that she has done and hope everyone gets the same experience!
Student
Westfield High School
Allison Hadley, PhD, combines her love of storytelling with a strong background in academia to mentor the next generation of scholars. She earned her BA and PhD from Yale University and hopes to bring her love of writing into mentoring students in essay writing.
Allison grew up in New Jersey, where she spent most of her time reading. As an undergraduate at Yale University, she navigated the writing-intensive Directed Studies program and earned a BA in Italian literature with cum laude distinction. After, she pursued a PhD in Italian, specializing in Machiavelli and the application of practical theater to politics. Throughout her studies she tutored Italian and served as a Teaching Fellow for writing intensive courses, including Dante in Translation, as well as an introductory course in Italian film. It was these teaching experiences that led her to take a position at Yale’s Graduate Writing Center her final year of graduate study, where she assisted students in essay writing and conference presentation preparation.
After graduating, Allison pursued a variety of communications jobs in nonprofits as well as freelance arts journalism, covering local events and concerts for New Haven’s many publications. Eventually, she coalesced her work into a marketing career. Allison is now based in Chicago, working as a PR manager and content strategist for an award-winning digital marketing agency.
An avid reader, Allison enjoys walking her dachshund, watching movies at the Music Box Theatre, and analyzing pop culture.
Location
Chicago, IL
Area of Expertise
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