About us

Hamlet Education Group is the brainchild of Stephanie McCaine and Kate Galligan, two seasoned professionals who dare to reimagine the college search and application process. Born from the innovative partnership of McCaine + Co. and Kate Galligan Tutoring, we blend expertise with a fresh perspective to transform the admissions experience.

Our Name

We wanted a name that resonated with our values and approach to our work. As longtime residents of Katonah, a small hamlet in the NYC suburbs, we aimed to honor our hometown while capturing the essence of our personalized, student-centered philosophy.

Hamlet Education Group is inspired by the blend of community and personal journey. Katonah, with its small-town charm and close-knit, resilient community, embodies support, familiarity, and growth. We see our educational consulting practice as an extension of this community spirit—where every student is known and valued for who they are.

Drawing parallels with Shakespeare's "Hamlet," a story of introspection, discovery, and the quest for purpose, perfectly captures the college search. By blending the supportive nature of our home base with these profound themes, we feel our name embodies our mission: to provide thoughtful, personalized guidance that helps students navigate the complexities of college admissions with confidence, authenticity, and joy.

Street view of a quaint small town with parked cars, historic buildings, and shops with awnings along the sidewalk.

Our Founders

Smiling person with braided hair, wearing an orange sweater and chain necklace, against a neutral background.
Logo of the Independent Educational Consultants Association with "Associate Member" below.

  • Stephanie is a seasoned college admissions professional with a rich background in higher education. With a career that spans over two decades, she has held prominent positions at several renowned institutions, including Berklee College of Music and Purchase College, SUNY, where she served as Director of Admissions for ten years.

    Known as the "College Whisperer" by friends and family for her extraordinary ability to find schools that fit students both academically and culturally, Stephanie’s approach empowers students to confidently navigate the admissions process. She’s particularly skilled at helping students find environments where they can truly thrive intellectually and personally.

    One of her students shared:
    "Stephanie made the college process way less scary. She helped me figure out which schools were not just good on paper but felt right for me. I ended up somewhere that really fits who I am, and I wouldn't have known how to find that without her." H.G.

    A former music therapist and an accomplished pianist,Stephanie brings a unique perspective to her work.. Beyond her professional endeavors, Stephanie serves on her local town board, loves Maine, and lives in Katonah with her family.

Smiling person with long blonde hair wearing a light blue shirt, seated outdoors with greenery in the background.

  • Kate Galligan brings over two decades of experience as a tutor and educator, specializing in SAT/ACT test preparation and college essay coaching. With a mindful and individualized approach, Kate has successfully guided hundreds of students through the admissions process. She holds a Certificate in College Counseling from the University of California, San Diego.

    Kate's academic background is distinguished by her BA in English from the Honors College at the University of Massachusetts at Amherst, where she graduated Phi Beta Kappa and Magna Cum Laude. She has served as an Adjunct Professor of English at Long Island University in Brooklyn and at Kingsborough Community College.

    In addition to her teaching roles, Kate is a co-author of the bestselling grammar workbook, Supplemental Exercises for the Everyday Writer, which has been a valuable resource for college students nationwide.

    Kate's unique ability to connect with students and her proven strategies for success have earned her heartfelt praise. Former students and parents consistently highlight the difference she made in their lives:

    • "Kate has a very non-hysterical way of relating to teenagers that they really seem to respond to. She is kind, firm, and insightful. When my son received his college acceptances, Kate topped the list of people he wanted to share the news with." – Amy D.

    • "Kate’s holistic approach and her ability to work with my son’s anxiety about tests were essential. After working with her, he took the ACT once and was very happy with his score." – Patricia P.

    Outside of her professional endeavors, Kate enjoys spending time with friends, indulging in good food, traveling, and exploring old homes.