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Learn how student-athletes and parents can navigate college athletic recruiting—from building a standout profile to connecting with coaches.

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! 

Welcome to Coach’s Corner, where we address questions asked by local student families. If you have a question you’d like us to address, please email us at contact@mystrivepath.com. Question: Dear StrivePath, my son is a sophomore at Campolindo, and is interested in getting recruited for water polo, but we're not sure where to start? Answer: Thank you for reaching out about your son’s interest in water polo recruitment. Sophomore year is a great time to begin preparing for the recruitment process, and there are a few key steps to take right now.  First, it’s important to start with academic planning. Water polo coaches, like those in other NCAA sports, look for athletes who can handle both the demands of the sport and rigorous academics. Your son should work on maintaining a strong GPA, especially in key subjects like math and science. College coaches will begin evaluating academic fit midway through his junior year, so ensuring a solid academic foundation is key. Next, we recommend he start building a list of potential colleges based on his academic interests, geographic preferences, and water polo programs. Each school varies in terms of competitiveness and what they look for in athletes. Programs on both the West Coast and East Coast, like those at Stanford, USC, and Ivy League schools, are known for their academic and athletic rigor. It’s also a good time to initiate communication with college coaches. While NCAA rules limit direct responses from coaches before June 15 of his sophomore year, he can still send introductory emails with his water polo achievements and academic profile. Including a highlight video that showcases his skills in game settings is essential. Regularly updating coaches throughout the season helps maintain visibility. Participation in showcase tournaments like the Junior Olympics or the North-South Tournament can also increase his exposure to coaches. These events offer opportunities for your son to connect with coaches in person, further strengthening his recruitment prospects. We also wanted to let you know that we’ve recently added Jennifer to our team, who previously recruited and coached water polo players at Pomona College and Brown University. Jennifer’s experience with these highly selective schools gives us deeper insight into the water polo recruitment process, from identifying the right athletic and academic fit to helping athletes navigate the complexity of college sports. Feel free to reach out with any further questions or if you’d like additional guidance. Best regards, StrivePath Team About StrivePath StrivePath empowers students and families with personalized academic and college advising, market insights, and community resources, ensuring holistic development and better outcomes. Happier students. Less stressed families. Better admission outcomes. For more information, visit www.mystrivepath.com .

Welcome to Coach’s Corner, where we address questions asked by local student families. If you have a question you’d like us to address, please email us at contact@mystrivepath.com. Question: My son is interested in getting recruited for swim, and we have no idea how best to navigate. I heard you recently recruited an athletic advisor - what does this process look like for us, and timelines? Answer: Thank you for reaching out! Navigating the college recruiting process for swimming can be a bit complex, but we’re here to help guide you through it. With Jennifer Jamison on board as our athletic recruitment advisor, she brings a wealth of experience from her years as a collegiate athlete and coach. She helps families understand what to expect from the recruiting process, timelines, and how to prepare. Here’s a brief overview of the process and timeline: 1. Assessing Fit The first step is determining where your son might fit academically and athletically. Division 1 programs often come with more rigorous training schedules, while Division 2 and 3 schools may offer a better balance between academics and athletics. It’s important to have a realistic understanding of which schools might be the right fit for him. 2. Timeline The recruiting process for swimming generally starts in sophomore year: Sophomore Year: This is the time to start reaching out to coaches with a brief introduction, some stats, and video highlights. While coaches can’t respond until June 15, it’s good to be on their radar early. Junior Year: After June 15, coaches can respond to communication. This is when recruiting really ramps up, and it’s important to maintain regular updates with both academic and athletic progress. Campus visits can also begin around this time. Senior Year: This is the time for official visits, final offers, and potential commitments. National Letters of Intent (NLI) are typically signed during this year if your son receives an offer. 3. Highlight Video & Resume A well-organized video showcasing your son’s strengths in swimming is important, along with a resume that lists his key stats, academic performance, and coach contact details. Throughout the process, ongoing communication with coaches is key—keeping them updated on your son’s academic and athletic progress can help maintain interest. If you’d like to dive deeper into any part of this process, feel free to reach out. Best regards, Sunny About StrivePath StrivePath empowers students and families with personalized academic and college advising, market insights, and community resources, ensuring holistic development and better outcomes. Happier students. Less stressed families. Better admission outcomes. For more information, visit www.mystrivepath.com .

Let's face it: getting into your dream college is a huge achievement, especially when you're also trying to ensure you're starting on the right path for your future. If you're a student who is truly keen on securing a spot at your dream school, having the right knowledge around what to do and where to start will put you at a great advantage. That being said, you may have come across the acronyms ED, EA, RD, REA, and RA—but what do these mean, and how are they significant in your decision-making process for college admissions? Let's find out. How Applying Early Can Affect Your Chances of Admission One of the biggest advantages of applying early, whether through ED or EA, is the potential boost in your chance of being admitted. Colleges often use early application rounds to lock in a portion of their incoming class before the regular decision period, which can lead to higher acceptance rates for early applicants. For instance, data from over 300 colleges show that some institutions have a markedly higher acceptance rate for students who apply early. Northeastern University , for example, has an early admission rate of 39%, compared to around 5% during the regular decision period. This significant difference is a clear indicator that applying early can give you a competitive edge, especially at schools that prioritize early applicants. However, it’s important to note that not all schools offer the same advantages. Some colleges, particularly those with large endowments like Ivy League schools, may not show as much of a preference for early applicants. In these cases, the boost in admission chances might be less pronounced, but it still exists for those with superior applications.  Pros and Cons of Each Application Type

Discover how to find the perfect college fit by balancing financial, academic, social, and environmental factors for a successful and fulfilling college experience.

Welcome to the world of 10th grade! While you enter this new stage in your academic journey, it's important to understand how important this milestone is—and how the preparations you make now will play a vital role in the years to come. This year isn't only about the continuation of what you took up in 9th grade, it's also the time to deepen your knowledge and push yourself in different areas. Here, we'll take a look into the things to be mindful of in order to maximize your time and set yourself up for success—including how to improve your academic routines, involving yourself in extracurricular activities, and planning for the future all while prioritizing your health and overall well-being. Building on the 9th Grade Foundation In 9th grade, you laid the groundwork—exploring different subjects and establishing solid study habits. Now, it’s time to build on that foundation. Tenth grade is an opportunity for you to deepen the knowledge you’ve already gained. You’re not just learning new material; you’re reinforcing what you’ve already studied and pushing yourself to understand it on a deeper level.

How To Prepare For 9th Grade: For Parents And Students Transitioning to 9th grade can be quite nerve-wracking, and for a good reason—it's a significant academic milestone in the life of a student. Lay the proper foundations now for success in high school and beyond. It's important that both students and parents understand how to prepare for 9th grade, especially with all the new challenges and opportunities that it brings. Here, we'll tackle everything you need to know to ensure a smooth and successful transition. What Do You Need To Know For 9th Grade? The primary goal of 9th grade is student exploration and the establishment of a strong academic foundation. As they step into high school, 9th graders are met with an abundance of unique opportunities and challenges —which means that this is the year for trying out new activities, discovering (or re-discovering) their passions, and beginning to understand which kind of study habits work best for them. Let's dive into the specifics: Exploration Ninth grade is a great time for students to explore different interests—such as joining a club, doing sports, or testing out their knack for acting or production in a school play. Students are encouraged to venture out of their comfort zones and dip their toes in various activities. This will help them target where their passions, interests, and strengths truly lie.