Catherine McCarthy
College admissions consultant in San Diego, California
| Hourly rate range | $150 to $225 an hour |
|---|---|
| Focus areas | |
| Works with | Students and Parents |
| Based in | San Diego, California, United States |
| Credentials | IECA Professional member |
| Practice | College Smart Advising |
Catherine McCarthy is an independent educational consultant who coaches students and parents through college admissions. She runs College Smart Advising in San Diego, California. She works with San Diego-area families and with students across the country. Her help covers college lists, essays, high school course planning, test plans, interviews, and financial aid applications. She is an IECA Professional member. She also offers guidance on community college transfer strategy.
What Catherine helps with
Catherine helps students build strong applications and find colleges that fit them. She works on the college list, the essays, and the plan for high school.
- Building a balanced college list
- Getting into selective colleges
- Feeling overwhelmed by the essay process
- Planning high school courses
- Writing the Common App personal statement
- Writing UC Personal Insight Questions
- Planning for standardized tests
- Applying for financial aid
Who Catherine works with
Catherine works with San Diego-area families and with students nationwide. Her clients include students who want to get into selective colleges and students who feel stressed by essays. Some need help with essays only. Others need full support from planning high school courses through applications.
How Catherine works
Catherine offers three package levels. The Basic package covers essay help only, with brainstorming, outlining, and revisions. Hourly options are available. The Comprehensive package covers up to 15 schools, high school course planning, college research, a test plan, early decision and early action strategy, essay drafting, interview prep, and financial aid applications. The Comprehensive+ package covers 16 or more schools or special programs.
Background and qualifications
Catherine McCarthy is an independent educational consultant based in San Diego, California. She leads College Smart Advising and is an IECA Professional member. Her practice serves San Diego-area families and students across the country. She helps with the Common App, UC Personal Insight Questions, college lists, and planning for high school. She also advises on community college transfer strategy.
Catherine McCarthy pricing
Programs and services
- Basic essay help package
- Comprehensive admissions package
- Comprehensive+ premium package
- Hourly essay help
Catherine McCarthy reviews
The CoachVouch take
Offers Comprehensive+ support for service academies, film and art schools, foreign universities, and NCAA or ROTC scholarships.
Best for families who want essay help or full support with college lists, essays, and applications.
Common questions
How much does Catherine McCarthy charge?
Coaching with Catherine runs $150 to $225 an hour. Request an intro for an exact quote.
What does Catherine McCarthy help with?
Catherine McCarthy helps with building a balanced college list, getting into selective colleges, feeling overwhelmed by the essay process and planning high school courses.
Is Catherine McCarthy certified?
Catherine McCarthy lists: IECA Professional member.
Does Catherine McCarthy work with students outside San Diego?
Yes. Her practice works with San Diego-area families and with students nationwide.
Can Catherine help with applications to schools abroad or special programs?
Yes. Her Comprehensive+ package covers foreign universities such as those in the UK and Ireland. It also covers service academies, film school, and art school.
How do I contact Catherine McCarthy?
Request an intro on this page. It's free, and we'll connect you with Catherine and, if you want, 2 or 3 similar coaches to compare.
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Last updated September 2026. Request a correction.