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College Counseling in San Ramon, CA

 Academic Planning, College Admissions & Student Success Coaching

There is no shortage of advice when it comes to college. StrivePath cuts through the noise and gives students a plan that actually fits them.

Trusted by hundreds of families across the Bay Area

Voted Best College Advisor

Students in a classroom. Some smiling and looking toward a person in front. Desks, window, bright lighting.

Long-Term College Planning and Academic Advising for San Ramon Families

StrivePath provides in-person academic planning, college admissions guidance, and holistic student success coaching for middle school and high school students in San Ramon. We prioritize face-to-face sessions to build strong relationships and guide students toward confident academic and college outcomes.

Book a Consult Today

Complimentary introductory consultation. No obligation.

How It Works

Step 1 

Assess 

We take time to get to know your student's goals, grade level, and timeline. This gives us a clear starting point before we do anything else.

Step 2 

Plan

We build a clear academic and college roadmap that works for your student. No two students are the same, so no two plans look alike.

Step 3 

Guide

Our team supports your family at every stage of the process. We stay with your student from middle school all the way through senior year.

Class of 2025 Results

6-7 admits per student

Average scholarship of $35,000

100% Accepted to a Top-Choice College


Where Some of Our Students Have Been Accepted

Our Services

Academic Planning for Middle Schoolers

A good fit for students in 7th and 8th grade who want to get ahead before high school starts. We work on study skills, course selection, and building the kind of habits that pay off over time.

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Academic Strategies for High School Students 

Students who take planning seriously in 9th and 10th grade have stronger options by junior year. We help them build a transcript with purpose, get involved in activities that fit who they are, and think ahead about what colleges they might want.

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College Planning for Seniors 

For students in the thick of applications who need structure and support. We help with school research, building a balanced list, writing strong essays, and staying on top of every deadline.

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Career and Interest Exploration 

Designed for sophomores who want to get intentional before junior year arrives. We help students dig into what actually interests them, build experiences that reflect those interests, and develop a sense of direction.

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Extracurricular Strategy for Juniors 

For 11th graders who want their profile to reflect more than a list of clubs. We help students find activities and opportunities that feel meaningful to them and strengthen their overall application.

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Athletic Recruit Add-On for Student-Athletes

For student-athletes who want to compete at the college level. We put together a recruiting timeline, help with coach outreach, and make sure the rest of the application process does not fall behind.

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Strive Path - Guiding Your Academic Journey

Meet Our Expert Team

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.

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Success Is More Than College Admission

At StrivePath, the acceptance letter is a milestone, not the finish line. We work with students to build the kind of self-awareness and independence that serves them well beyond senior year. Families come to us feeling overwhelmed and leave feeling prepared.


Students walk away knowing who they are and what they want. That clarity shapes stronger applications and a smoother transition into college life.


Happier students. Less stressed families. Better outcomes.

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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.

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.

"I feel more organized. I know what I'm doing".

- Reana, Class of 2028

“Thanks to Strivepath, I feel supported in exploring my interests in fashion and interior design”

- Allie, Class of 2027

“I like these meetings because they help me stay on track when it comes to grades. My grades matter to me.”

- Peter, Class of 2028

“I feel like I’m hitting my stride this semester. More in control”

- Josh, Class of 2026

Robin, Miramonte High School Class of 2026, will be attending Fordham with a $40,000 scholarship.

Bassem, Class of 2026, will be studying at UC Irvine.

"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

Community Organizations We Partner With:

A logo for orinda network for education with a pencil in the middle.
A blue logo for lafayette partners in education

High School Athletic Programs That We Support:

StrivePath Resources:

By Joy Mercado April 2, 2026
StrivePath's 2026 guide for Lamorinda families covers testing strategy, AI in admissions, CSU Direct Admission, and what still matters most for UC applicants.
By Joy Mercado April 1, 2026
StrivePath's guide for San Mateo Peninsula families covers UC PIQ strategy, course selection, summer planning, and what makes the SMUHSD applicant pool unique.
By Joy Mercado April 1, 2026
Step-by-step checklist for seniors after college acceptance. Tasks, deadlines, and key next steps to stay organized and ready for fall classes.
By Joy Mercado April 1, 2026
Applying to college from Marin County means competing with some of California's strongest applicants. Here's how to build a distinctive profile that gets noticed.
By Joy Mercado February 25, 2026
Learn how to find summer programs, internships, and research, track deadlines, and submit strong applications that support your college goals well.
By Joy Mercado February 4, 2026
AI has fundamentally changed college admissions for the Class of 2026. Learn how universities are using AI to read applications.
college admission decision
By Joy Mercado December 18, 2025
Learn what to do after a college admissions decision, with clear next steps for accepted, deferred, waitlisted, or denied students to move forward with confidence.
By Joy Mercado October 31, 2025
Learn how the new CSU Direct Admission Program lets eligible California seniors get automatic college admission starting in 2026.
By Joy Mercado October 13, 2025
Starting a club in high school? Get practical tips on choosing your passion, finding a team, and building a project that makes a difference.
By Joy Mercado October 13, 2025
Learn how to maximize every college campus visit as a student or parent. StrivePath shares tips on what to observe, questions to ask, and how to evaluate fit.
Show More

Serving San Ramon and Nearby Communities

We work with students and families across San Ramon and the surrounding area, including Danville, Dublin, Pleasanton, Walnut Creek, and Concord. Sessions are available in person or online, and many families use a mix of both throughout the school year.

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Students in a circular table discussion, light-filled classroom setting.

 FAQs

Get answers to the top questions about our academic and college planning services.

  • How do sessions work?

    We meet with students in person at our local San Ramon office. Virtual sessions are also available for families who prefer flexibility, but our default is face-to-face — it's one of the things that sets us apart from online-only services.

  • What grade should my student start working with a counselor?

    We work with students as early as 7th grade. Good habits and smart course choices early on create more options by high school. Families who come to us in 9th or 10th grade typically see the strongest results when applications come around.

  • How much does it cost?

    Pricing is based on your student's grade level and the type of support they need. The clearest way to get an answer is to book a free intro call and we will walk you through what makes sense.

  • Do you help with college essays?

    Yes. Essay coaching is part of our college planning packages. We help students develop an honest angle, work through drafts, and revise until the writing sounds like them and no one else.

  • What if my student is a recruited athlete?

    We have a dedicated athletic recruiting program for student-athletes handling coach outreach at the same time as applications. It runs on its own or alongside our college planning work.

  • Do you work with transfer students?

    Yes. Our transfer advising program supports students moving from community college to a four-year school or switching universities. The process looks different from standard freshman admissions and we know how to work through it.

  • What makes StrivePath different?

    Our counselors come from inside admissions. They know how files get reviewed and what actually makes an application stand out. Every student works with the same counselor from start to finish, so the plan stays consistent and nothing gets dropped.

Get In Touch

Get Started with StrivePath in San Ramon

Your student's path forward starts with a single conversation. Our team will help you build a plan that fits their goals and your family's timeline.

Book a Free Consultation