About Us

About University Preparations

Welcome to University Preparations! This space is where we share the story behind our mission and services, giving you a deeper understanding of who we are and how we can help you achieve your educational goals.

​

​

Who We Are

University Preparations is a dedicated advising service designed to guide both prospective and current students of higher education institutions. Founded by John McCarthy (Jack), our company is rooted in a passion for education, financial literacy, and a genuine desire to serve others.

With over a decade of experience in higher education, Jack brings a wealth of knowledge and expertise as the sole University Preparations Advisor. Jack’s journey in higher education began in August 2014 when he enrolled at Santa Fe College as part of the Gator Engineering program. His dedication and hard work led him to the University of Florida, where he earned a Bachelor of Arts in Education Sciences in December 2019.

During his time at UF, Jack worked in the Financial Aid and Scholarships office, where he developed a deep understanding of the financial challenges students face. After graduation, he continued to serve as a financial aid advisor at the University of Florida and later joined the OneStop division there, which provided comprehensive advising services across Financial Aid and Scholarships, Registrar, Bursar, and Admissions.

In August 2024, Jack left the OneStop at the University of Florida to establish University Preparations, with the goal of helping students and their families navigate the complexities of higher education.

​​

​​

​

What We Do

At University Preparations, we offer personalized advising services that are tailored to meet the unique needs of each student. Our services include:

• Financial Aid and Scholarship Guidance: We help students and families navigate the often overwhelming process of applying for financial aid and scholarships, ensuring they maximize their opportunities for financial support.

• Admissions and Enrollment Support: We provide expert advice on the admissions process, helping students choose the right institutions and guiding them through every step of enrollment.

• Financial Planning for College: From living expenses to school supplies, we offer comprehensive financial planning services to help students manage their finances effectively throughout their college journey.

• Virtual Assistance for Higher Education: We act as a virtual assistant specialized in all things higher education, offering advice on logistics, housing, and other essential aspects of college life.

• Major and Career Identification and Professional Development: We assist students in identifying potential career paths and majors aligned with their interests, while also offering professional development support as they prepare for life after college.

​​

​​

​

Our Commitment

We are committed to providing services that not only help students succeed academically but also enrich their overall college experience. Jack is passionate about teaching financial literacy and is dedicated to serving students with excellence. His NASFAA credentials and lifelong commitment to learning ensure that he remains at the forefront of higher education advising.

​​

​​

​

A Personal Touch

Jack McCarthy is not just an expert in higher education—he’s someone who genuinely cares about people. Born and raised in Orlando, FL, Jack is married to his wife Kendall, an Art teacher and accomplished fine artist. Together, they share a love for learning, faith, and community. Jack’s faith in Jesus Christ is central to his life, and he strives to reflect his values in all his interactions, serving and honoring ALL people with integrity and kindness regardless of their beliefs and lifestyles.

​

In his free time, Jack enjoys spending time with family and friends, learning about God, and engaging in sports, particularly basketball. He’s also an avid fan of football and basketball (Go Gators, NY Giants, and Magic!!!)

​​

​​

​​

How We Can Help You

If you’re looking for expert guidance to navigate the complexities of higher education, University Preparations is here to help. We offer paid one-on-one advising services via Google Meet, as well as free written and video content that covers all aspects of college preparation and success. You can easily book a 60-minute one-on-one advising session for $150 an hour through our website with the option of two other service plans found on our services page.

​

Whether you’re preparing to start college, looking to maximize your college experience, or planning your transition out of college, we’re here to support you every step of the way.

Thank you for considering University Preparations. We look forward to helping you achieve your educational goals and making your college experience as rewarding as possible.

​​​​​

​​

​

Dedication & Our Mission

University Preparation is dedicated to Jesus Christ--Immanuel, "God with us".

 

Our mission is to honor God by providing exceptional services to others. Our idea of exceptional service is to do everything we can to elevate the public's collective knowledge of higher education and to honor, encourage, equip and empower people in the process of doing this. We are committed to improving the quality of life for everyone we encounter through financial literacy and a deeper understanding of higher education and to cheer you on to excel in all aspects of life.

 

We believe that knowledge is power.

​

While financial literacy holds great value and positively impacts lives, we believe the greatest flourishing comes from a personal knowledge and relationship with the Creator of all things seen and unseen, Who is made visible through the life of Jesus Christ.

​

We recognize that many people prioritize emotional well-being and financial security. We are passionate about helping in these areas by supporting emotional well-being in our interactions and elevating the public's collective knowledge of financial literacy in the higher education space. Through our services and actions, we hope to inspire everyone we interact with to explore a personal relationship with Jesus, as we believe this connection with God is why we exist.

​

Rest assured, we will never impose our beliefs on anyone. We simply want the best for you! :)