In-Person College Counseling for Students in San Rafael, Novato & the Ross Valley
From middle school academic planning through college admissions, StrivePath helps students throughout San Rafael, Terra Linda, San Anselmo, Fairfax, Kentfield, Greenbrae, and Novato build confidence, develop strong academic habits, and pursue colleges where they will thrive. Whether your student attends San Rafael High School, Terra Linda High School, Archie Williams High School, Novato High School, San Marin High School, Marin Academy, or another nearby school, our advisors provide personalized support in academics, executive functioning, extracurricular planning, college research, essays, and applications.
Trusted by hundreds of families across the Bay Area
Voted Best College Advisor
Office Location
📌
1020 B St, San Rafael, CA 94901
Strive Path - Guiding Your Academic Journey
Meet Our San Rafael Consultants
Our team at Strive Path is dedicated to providing top-notch academic and college advising services to help you reach your full potential. Get to know the professionals behind our success.
Schools We Frequently Work With
Our San Rafael office works with students from public, private, and independent schools throughout Central and North Marin, including the Ross Valley and Novato. The schools below represent many of the communities we regularly serve, but families from all nearby schools are welcome.
Public High Schools
Middle Schools
Independent & Private Schools
Do not see your student’s school listed? We work with families throughout Lamorinda and the East Bay.
Success is more than college admission
At StrivePath, success means more than college admission—it’s about building the foundation and self-awareness to thrive. We focus on what truly matters: the student and their family, developing each student’s unique strengths to prepare them for college and a fulfilling life.
Happier students. Less stressed families. Better admission outcomes.
How we help students like you
Discover who you are and what drives you. Let’s turn your goals into achievements while staying balanced and confident.
From hobbies to career dreams, uncover what excites you most and build a plan that reflects who you are.
We tailor every academic plan to your strengths and future goals so you can excel with clarity and purpose.
Say goodbye to last-minute cramming. Learn the skills that will keep you organized and on top of your game.
It’s not about doing it all—it’s about doing what matters most while taking care of yourself.
How we help parents like you
Leave the planning to us so you can focus on supporting your child’s happiness and growth.
We simplify the process so you can enjoy this time without the overwhelm.
Let us handle the logistics and motivation, so your relationship with your child can stay positive.
Whether you’re familiar with the U.S. education system or completely new, our tailored support ensures your child gets the best opportunities.
Our deep knowledge of Bay Area schools and opportunities ensures your child stands out where it matters most.
Why Central & North Marin Families Choose StrivePath
Central and North Marin is the most varied part of the county, and families here are usually weighing genuinely different paths rather than competing for the same one. San Rafael City Schools serve a student body that includes many multilingual and first-generation college students alongside families who assume a private university from the start. Novato's two comprehensive high schools operate at a different scale and pace than the Ross Valley. Marin Academy, San Domenico, Marin Catholic, and Branson sit within a few minutes' drive. The practical result is that generic advice travels badly here, and students at neighboring schools can face very different opportunities and constraints.
Access to information is often the real gap. Students at San Rafael, Terra Linda, Novato, and San Marin frequently juggle jobs, family responsibilities, athletics, and specialized academy or pathway programs, and no one has explained how UC and CSU eligibility, financial aid, community college transfer, or out-of-state options actually work for their situation. First generation families in particular deserve a clear map rather than a lecture about rigor.
StrivePath works with students over several years, helping them plan courses deliberately, build executive functioning and follow-through, develop interests into something substantive, understand costs and aid before the list is finalized, and apply to a balanced set of colleges including UC, CSU, private, and out-of-state options. Our goal is not one prestigious acceptance letter. It is a student who understands their own choices and is prepared to succeed after enrollment.
Complimentary introductory consultation. No obligation.
StrivePath's Impacts & Results
At StrivePath, we focus on more than just getting into college—we ensure that every student is set up for long-term success. Here's how our approach delivers results:
100% College Acceptance to Top-Choice Schools
Every student StrivePath has worked with has been accepted to one of their top-choice colleges, demonstrating our track record of success.
Improved Grades and Motivation
Students consistently report higher academic performance, along with increased motivation and self-confidence. Our tailored approach fosters long-term engagement and academic success.
Reduced Stress for Students and Families
Through personalized planning, ongoing support, and clear communication, students experience less stress, while parents feel more informed and empowered.
Healthy Habits for Lasting Success
We focus on developing holistic habits that contribute to long-term well-being, such as improving sleep quality and reducing social media use, which ultimately supports academic and personal growth.
Improved Family Dynamics
Parents benefit from regular updates and a clear roadmap for their child’s success, leading to better family communication and a more harmonious college prep experience.
Communities We Serve
San Rafael
Supporting students at San Rafael High School, Davidson Middle School, and Marin Academy with academic planning, executive functioning, extracurricular development, and college admissions guidance.
Terra Linda
Working with Terra Linda High School and Venetia Valley TK-8 families on course planning, pathway and academy program decisions, college research, essays, and applications.
San Anselmo & Fairfax
Partnering with Archie Williams High School, White Hill Middle School, and San Domenico families on long-term academic planning and selective college admissions.
Kentfield & Greenbrae
Helping Kent Middle School, Hall Middle School, Redwood High School, and Marin Catholic students build balanced, well-organized four-year plans.
Novato
Supporting Novato High School, San Marin High School, Sinaloa, San Jose Middle School, and Hamilton TK-8 students with course selection, college and career exploration, essays, and applications.
See What Our Students & Parents Are Saying
* Student images and testimonials posted with permission.
StrivePath helps students achieve their best, both academically and personally.
Not only are we great at driving strong college admission outcomes, but we also impact students and parents in meaningful ways.
"We have been working with them for the past year and are very satisfied with the level of service and results. The technology they have is unmatched and I strongly encourage anyone that is interested to discuss this specifically with them. Very happy with the decision we made and happy to recommend them!"
Jon E.
Walnut Creek, CA
"We've worked with several college counselors for our son who is in college and our daughter who is a senior applying to college. We felt that Sunny and his team provided the most clear, concrete, and actionable advice. We feel that the input and advice we got will make a big difference."
Jill S.
Lafayette, CA
Thank you, StrivePath! As a mom navigating our first college process, I can’t say enough about Saumya—she was patient, supportive, reassuring, and kind from start to finish. She built a realistic summer plan for my son that helped us complete the college research and essay work early, so when October 1 arrived, our applications were already submitted. The organization and calm she brought to the process were a huge relief. She reassured my son that he would have many options and celebrated each college admittance with him. We felt guided every step of the way. Get ready for Kid #2!
Kerry J.
Walnut Creek, CA
Strivepath really does strive for excellence. My daughter is with Strivepath for sometime now. Their counselors are very empathetic, resourceful and knowledgeable. They focus on kids mental health a lot while guiding the path for college admissions. I will highly recommend their service for anyone looking for college counseling. We are very happy with their service.
Sudipta K.
Oakland, CA
StrivePath Resources
College Admissions Timeline
A grade-by-grade overview of the decisions and milestones that matter most.
How to Build a Balanced College List
Guidance on building a realistic list based on fit, interests, and admissions probability.
College Search Tool
Direct families to StrivePath’s current college-search entry point until a dedicated public tool URL is confirmed.
FAQs
Get answers to the top questions about our academic and college planning services.
Do you work with students from San Rafael High School and Terra Linda High School?
Yes. Our San Rafael office works with San Rafael City Schools students on course selection, executive functioning, extracurricular development, college research, essays, and applications, starting as early as middle school.
Do you also work with Ross Valley families at Archie Williams and White Hill?
Yes. We regularly work with students from Archie Williams High School, White Hill Middle School, and nearby Ross Valley schools.
Do you serve Novato families?
Yes. We work with students from Novato High School, San Marin High School, Sinaloa Middle School, San Jose Middle School, and Hamilton TK-8 School.
We will be the first family in our household to apply to college. Can you help?
Yes. A meaningful share of our work in Central Marin is with first-generation students. We explain UC and CSU eligibility, financial aid and the FAFSA or CADAA, testing, and the application timeline in plain language, and we work directly with the student so they build real independence.
Can you help us compare UC, CSU, private, and out-of-state options?
Yes. We build lists that reflect academic fit, admissions probability, and cost, including community college transfer pathways when that is the strongest route for a student.
What if our student's school is not listed?
The school list highlights many of the communities we regularly serve, but it is not exhaustive. We welcome families from throughout Central and North Marin and the surrounding North Bay.
Are meetings held in person?
Yes. Families may meet with their advisor at our San Rafael office, with additional flexibility depending on the student's plan and needs.
Get In Touch
Help Your Student Build a Future They Are Excited About
Whether your child is preparing for high school or working through college applications, our advisors help families throughout San Rafael, Terra Linda, San Anselmo, Fairfax, Kentfield, Greenbrae, and Novato build thoughtful plans, reduce stress, and approach the admissions process with confidence.
