Catherine Northup
College admissions consultant for students in San Mateo County, California
| Hourly rate range | $130 to $300 an hour |
|---|---|
| Focus areas | |
| Works with | Students and Parents |
| Based in | California, United States |
| Credentials | MBA, Harvard Business School; BA in Government, Smith College; Independent Educational Consultant Certificate, UC Irvine; IECA member; HECA member |
| Practice | College Crossroads Consulting |
Catherine Northup is an independent educational consultant who guides college-bound students and their families through college planning and applications. She has worked in this role since 2016 from San Mateo County, California. Before that, she spent seven years in the Admissions Office at Stanford's Graduate School of Business. She runs College Crossroads Consulting and helps students find schools that fit them academically, socially, and financially. She works with students from across the United States and around the world.
What Catherine helps with
Catherine helps students decide where to apply and then guides them through the application until it is submitted. She also helps families feel less stress about the process.
- Building a college list with the right academic, social, and financial fit
- Choosing high school courses with college goals in mind
- Picking extracurricular and summer activities
- Planning an SAT or ACT test schedule
- Brainstorming and editing Common Application essays
- Writing the University of California Personal Insight Questions
- Working on school-specific and supplemental essays
- Practicing for college interviews with mock interviews
Who Catherine works with
Catherine works with college-bound students and their parents. Her Comprehensive Package is for sophomores and juniors. Her hourly packages fit freshmen, seniors, or students who need only one or two services. Her students come from all over the United States and around the world.
How Catherine works
Catherine works side by side with each student in a process shaped around what the student wants from college. At the first meeting she teaches the student how to research colleges well. In the Comprehensive Package she keeps the student on track for deadlines and stays involved until the student picks a college. Essay work can include weekly meetings to polish drafts. She also offers mock interviews with feedback.
Background and qualifications
Catherine has been an independent educational consultant in San Mateo County, California since 2016. Before that, she worked seven years in the Admissions Office at Stanford's Graduate School of Business. She holds an MBA from Harvard Business School and a BA in Government from Smith College. She earned a certificate in independent educational consulting from the University of California, Irvine. She is an active member of IECA and HECA, two professional groups for educational consultants.
Catherine Northup pricing
Programs and services
- Comprehensive Package for sophomores and juniors
- Hourly packages for freshmen or students needing 1 to 2 services
- Essay development and review
- Mock interviews
Catherine Northup reviews
The CoachVouch take
She worked seven years in the Stanford GSB Admissions Office before starting her own consulting practice.
Best for sophomores and juniors who want full support from college list to final application.
Common questions
How much does Catherine Northup charge?
Coaching with Catherine runs $130 to $300 an hour. Message Catherine from this page for an exact quote.
What does Catherine Northup help with?
Catherine Northup helps with building a college list with the right academic, social, and financial fit, choosing high school courses with college goals in mind, picking extracurricular and summer activities and planning an SAT or ACT test schedule.
Is Catherine Northup certified?
Catherine Northup lists: MBA, Harvard Business School; BA in Government, Smith College; Independent Educational Consultant Certificate, UC Irvine; IECA member; HECA member.
Does Catherine Northup work with students outside California?
Yes. She has worked with students from all over the United States and around the world.
Which grade levels does Catherine work with?
Her Comprehensive Package is for sophomores and juniors. Freshmen and seniors, or students needing only 1 to 2 services, can use hourly packages.
How do I contact Catherine Northup?
Send Catherine a message from this page. It's free and takes a minute.
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Last updated September 2026. Request a correction.