Barry Beach
College admissions advisor and portfolio coach in San Rafael, California
| Hourly rate range | $150 to $225 an hour |
|---|---|
| Focus areas | |
| Works with | Students and Parents |
| Based in | San Rafael, California, United States |
| Credentials | HECA member |
| Experience | 16 years coaching |
| Practice | Beach College Counseling |
Barry Beach is a college advisor and portfolio coach who helps students and parents with college admissions. He works with high school students, transfer students, international students, first-generation students and arts applicants. He spent several years scoring freshman applications at UC Berkeley, so he knows how that review works. He has also worked in admissions at two art schools. He has advised families independently since 2009 from San Rafael, California.
What Barry helps with
Barry helps students pick colleges, plan their applications and write strong essays. He also prepares art and performing arts students for portfolio reviews.
- Building a college list that fits a student's interests
- Deciding between early decision, early action and regular decision
- Drafting and improving college essays
- Preparing art portfolios for college applications
- Choosing recommenders
- Planning for SAT and ACT testing
- Finding financial aid and merit aid
- Transferring colleges
Who Barry works with
Barry works with high school students and their parents. His clients also include transfer students, international students, first-generation students and students applying in fine and performing arts. He also advises people applying to graduate school.
How Barry works
Barry starts with an initial meeting he calls a college checkup. He looks at where the student is on the path to college and sets a custom list of next steps. He can give an interest assessment to help a student choose what to study. From there he builds and narrows a college list, sets the admissions strategy, and reviews essay drafts with suggestions. He also covers how to get the most from college visits.
Background and qualifications
Barry has 16 years of experience in college advising and 7 years in college admissions. He spent 9 years in admissions at the University of California Berkeley, San Francisco Art Institute and Oregon College of Art and Craft. For several years he read and scored freshman applications at UC Berkeley, including essays. He has worked as an independent educational advisor for 12 years and started independent consulting in 2009. He also spent 1 year as a school-based college counselor and 12 years teaching art education. He is a HECA member.
Barry Beach pricing
Programs and services
- Initial college checkup meeting
- College list development
- Admissions strategy
- College essay review
- Portfolio preparation
- Summer program guidance
Barry Beach reviews
The CoachVouch take
He scored freshman applications for UC Berkeley and also has admissions experience at art colleges, which helps art applicants.
Best for art and performing arts students who need portfolio help and a plan for college applications.
Common questions
How much does Barry Beach charge?
Coaching with Barry runs $150 to $225 an hour. Message Barry from this page for an exact quote.
What does Barry Beach help with?
Barry Beach helps with building a college list that fits a student's interests, deciding between early decision, early action and regular decision, drafting and improving college essays and preparing art portfolios for college applications.
Is Barry Beach certified?
Barry Beach lists: HECA member.
Does Barry Beach work with transfer students?
Yes. He helps students who are changing colleges with the transfer process.
How do I contact Barry Beach?
Send Barry a message from this page. It's free and takes a minute.
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Last updated September 2026. Request a correction.