Student: Juan (Grade 10) High School: Northgate High School, Concord Parents: Anita

Student: Ava (Grade 11) High School: Northgate High School, Walnut Creek Parents: Mark and Linda

Student: Sonia (Grade 11) School: Mission San Jose High School, Fremont

Student: Amelia (7th Grade) Middle School: Fallon Middle School, Dublin

When Liam first came to StrivePath, he was unsure of his academic interests and future goals. A dedicated athlete with a passion for archery, Liam excelled in sports but struggled to connect this passion to an academic pathway. His mother, Sara, wanted him to explore potential college majors but didn’t know where to start. Through a series of personalized assessments and one-on-one conversations, Liam and his consultant uncovered a surprising link between his love for archery and physics. Liam had always been fascinated by the mechanics of a perfect shot, from bow tension to arrow trajectory, but he had never considered it in a scientific context. With this revelation, Liam’s consultant encouraged him to explore introductory physics courses and provided resources on biomechanics and sports engineering. Liam’s excitement was evident—he even began researching how Olympic athletes use physics to optimize performance. By the end of the semester, he was excelling in physics and had presented his findings on archery mechanics in class. Liam now envisions a future where he combines his athletic experience with a degree in biomechanics. His mother, Sara, shares, “StrivePath helped Liam discover a connection we never thought of. He’s not only motivated academically but also has a clear vision for his future.” This experience illustrates the power of aligning personal passions with academic pursuits. StrivePath’s tailored approach uncovered Liam’s unique interests, giving him both direction and confidence as he prepares for college. Book a free consultation today "All case studies are based on real experiences with our students and families. To protect privacy, names and identifying details have been changed."

With course planning deadlines approaching for many school districts—especially in the East and South Bay—it’s important for students and families to make informed decisions. The selections a student makes can impact academic growth, college readiness, and overall well-being. How to Approach Course Planning Each year in high school presents different opportunities and challenges. Freshman year is a time to explore interests, while sophomore year introduces more advanced courses. By junior year, students can deepen their academic rigor with AP, honors, and dual enrollment options, and senior year should maintain momentum while preparing for the next step—college or career. Understanding Course Rigor While some students take multiple AP or honors courses, this path isn’t necessary for everyone. Colleges value students who challenge themselves but also maintain a balance with extracurriculars and personal interests. Mental health should always be a priority when deciding on course load. Math and Subject Pathways Most schools offer structured math, science, English, and world language pathways to guide students from introductory courses to advanced subjects. Some students may decide to accelerate through non-district courses offered online, which can help advance in subjects like math, but this should be used strategically. AP, Dual Enrollment, and Concurrent Enrollment AP courses are rigorous and can boost college applications, but taking too many may lead to burnout. Dual enrollment allows students to take community college courses for both high school and college credit. Concurrent enrollmen t is an option for students who want to explore subjects not available at their high school. Final Takeaways Students should carefully plan their courses, balancing rigor with personal interests and well-being. Always work with the school counseling team to navigate policies on AP credits, dual enrollment, and non-district courses. Additional Resources: (Note: These materials are from San Ramon Valley High School District - check with your home district/school for similar information) High School Profile Course Catalog Non-District Course Policy Subject Pathways Dual Enrollment Policy By understanding their options, students can create a high school experience that supports both academic success and personal growth.

We are thrilled to announce the opening of our Mountain View location, expanding StrivePath’s personalized academic and college advising services to the South Bay community. With established offices in the East Bay, we’ve heard the growing demand for our in-person, student-focused approach from families in the Mountain View, Los Altos, Sunnyvale, and Palo Alto areas. At StrivePath, we believe that where students go to college is less important than who they become during the journey. The South Bay is home to a unique high-pressure academic environment, and our mission is to help students and their families refocus on what truly matters: the student’s growth, happiness, and long-term success—not just the college name. Our newest office in Mountain View reflects our commitment to making in-person guidance accessible for families navigating the complex high school-to-college transition.  Meet Kathie, StrivePath’s Mountain View Consultant

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Pete Smith, from UC Berkeley's admissions team, shared wonderful insights with us during a recent Q&A session. The conversation provided us with a lot of valuable clarity regarding the admissions process, what the university typically looks for in applicants, and how to best position students for success. Here are our takeaways from the session: The Application Process: What Happens First? When UC Berkeley receives applications, they are divided by region and assigned to full-time staff alongside hired readers who evaluate each student in the context of their high school environment. Rather than relying on a strict GPA ranking system, UC Berkeley looks at the broader picture. Even students with GPAs below the minimum (3.0 for California applicants and 3.4 for non-residents) can still be considered if they present a compelling case through their application. GPA and School Context If a student attends a school where limited AP courses might impact their GPA, they are evaluated based on the context of their school. This is crucial, as UC Berkeley truly does take into account the resources available to students at their specific schools when reviewing academic rigor. Public vs. Private School: How Does it Matter? When considering whether students from public or private schools have an advantage, UC Berkeley evaluates all applicants with the school's profile in mind. All students are judged fairly based on their opportunities and challenges. Institutional Priorities and Community Involvement UC Berkeley places a strong emphasis on student involvement beyond academics. The university values students who show deep, sustained commitment to their extracurricular activities rather than those who spread themselves thin across multiple clubs. Pete Smith emphasized that students should aim to go deeper into a few key activities instead of trying to fill all 20 slots on the application with superficial engagements. Commitment, motivation, and personal growth are far more important than simply listing numerous activities. Handling Special Circumstances: Disabilities, Health Issues, and More UC Berkeley does take applicants who face challenges such as injuries, mental health issues, or learning disabilities into consideration. As such, students are encouraged to be transparent about these things and put them on the "Additional Comments" section of the application. This will not disadvantage them. Instead, UC Berkeley flags these cases to ensure that admitted students receive the support they need to thrive on campus. Activities and Achievements: What Matters? Many assume that a particular set of activities can be advantageous in the admissions process, but this isn't always true. UC Berkeley examines students based on their commitment and the impact of their involvement. Whether it’s participating in three clubs or ten, what matters most is the depth of their engagement. However, awards and recognitions at the national or international level tend to be more important than those at the regional or school level. SAT/ACT Scores and PIQs: What to Focus On UC Berkeley does not consider SAT or ACT scores in the admissions process. However, these scores can be helpful for fulfilling certain English or Math requirements once a student is admitted. Students are encouraged to bring out their creativity and individuality in the Personal Insight Questions (PIQs), as these are evaluated based on the content's quality and authenticity. Paid Research Programs: What UC Berkeley Looks For UC Berkeley maintains a watchful eye on paid research programs and does not view them as favorably as initiatives that students take on independently. While participation in a paid summer research program may seem impressive, the admissions team is more interested in genuine, self-driven experiences. The university actively tracks "pay-to-play" programs and tends to place more value on student-led initiatives or opportunities that reflect a student's true interests and efforts, rather than those that may appear artificially enhanced by financial resources. This distinction is important—students should focus on authentic, meaningful experiences that demonstrate their commitment, creativity, and personal growth. Final Thoughts: Be Authentic, Be Committed UC Berkeley follows a holistic admissions process—taking students' academic achievements, school context, extracurricular involvement, and personal challenges into consideration. To stand out, commitment and authenticity should be evident on the application. The key is not in how many activities you do but in the dedication you show and the genuine tone of your application. Take advantage of every section of the application to share your unique story. For students going through this process, remember that UC Berkeley values well-rounded and motivated individuals who make valuable contributions to their communities. If you have any specific questions, StrivePath will help you every step of the way. Stay tuned for more insights and guidance from StrivePath!