Logo

College Counseling in Mill Valley, CA

Academic Planning, College Admissions & Student Success Coaching

College planning works best when it starts before the pressure does. StrivePath helps students build a real strategy while there is still time to act on it.

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.

Individualized College Guidance for Mill Valley Families

StrivePath provides in-person academic planning, college admissions guidance, and holistic student success coaching for middle school and high school students in Mill Valley and across Marin County. Our advisors meet with your student face to face at our local Mill Valley office — not over Zoom — building the trusted, ongoing relationship that makes a real difference.

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

The habits students build in 7th and 8th grade show up in their high school transcripts. We help middle schoolers develop real study skills, choose courses that serve their long-term goals, and approach high school with a plan already in place.

Learn More

Academic Strategies for High School Students 

For 9th and 10th graders who want to use their early high school years well. We help them make smart course choices, find activities that reflect who they are, and start thinking about college in a way that does not feel overwhelming.

Learn More

College Planning for Seniors 

For seniors ready to take on the application process with a clear head. We cover college list building, essay development, application strategy, and deadline management so every submission is thoughtful and on time.

Learn More

Career and Interest Exploration 

For sophomores who want to start getting clear on what they want while there is still room to explore. We help students dig into their interests, identify meaningful experiences, and develop a direction that feels genuinely theirs.

Learn More

Extracurricular Strategy for Juniors 

For students heading into senior year who want their profile to feel purposeful. We help juniors identify activities and projects that are both personally meaningful and strengthen the overall story their application tells.

Learn More

Athletic Recruit Add-On for Student-Athletes

For student-athletes who want a real shot at competing in college. We develop a clear recruiting plan, help with coach outreach, and make sure academics and applications stay strong at the same time.

Learn More

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.

Meet More of Our Team

We Measure Success Beyond the Acceptance Letter

At StrivePath, where a student gets in matters less than who they become along the way. We work to build students who are self-directed, thoughtful, and ready for the independence college requires. Families leave the process feeling supported rather than stretched thin.


Students walk away with a better understanding of themselves and a clearer sense of where they are headed. That is what makes the difference in college and long after.


Happier students. Less stressed families. Better outcomes.

View Our Services

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 May 2, 2026
Bay Area families who start college planning in 7th grade report less stress and better outcomes. Here's what early planning actually looks like.
By Joy Mercado May 1, 2026
StrivePath students earn an average of $35,000 in merit scholarships. Here's why it happens and how Bay Area families can position for the same results.
By Joy Mercado April 30, 2026
UC application tips for Bay Area students in 2026. Expert advice on Personal Insight Questions, balanced college lists, and activities sections from StrivePath.
By G. Sunny Grewal, Founder, StrivePath April 25, 2026
UC Berkeley's headline 11% admit rate hides a brutal truth — admit rates by major range from 4% (Haas) to 25% (Humanities), and the gap has widened every year since 2019. Explore 7 years of UC admissions data by campus and discipline.
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.
Show More

Serving Mill Valley and Nearby Communities

We work with students and families across Mill Valley and the surrounding area, including Sausalito, Tiburon, Corte Madera, San Rafael, and Larkspur. Sessions are available in person or online, and many families use a mix of both throughout the school year.

Book a Consult Today
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 Mill Valley 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 starting in 7th grade. Building solid habits and making smart course choices early on creates real options later. Families who come to us in 9th or 10th grade still have plenty of time to build a strong application.

  • How much does admissions coaching cost?

    Pricing is based on your student's grade level and what they need. The best way to get a clear answer is to book a free intro call and we will walk you through the options.

  • Do you help with college essays?

    Yes. Essay coaching is part of our college guidance packages. We help students find what makes their story distinct, develop it across drafts, and refine until the writing feels honest and reads clearly.

  • What if my student is a student-athlete?

    We have a dedicated athletic recruiting program for student-athletes balancing recruiting with academics and the application process. It works as a standalone program or alongside our standard college planning support.

  • Do you work with transfer students?

    Yes. Our transfer advising program supports students moving from community college to a four-year school or switching between universities. The process looks quite different from freshman admissions and we are experienced in both.

  • What sets StrivePath apart from other college counselors?

    Our counselors have worked inside admissions and know how the process actually works, not just how it looks from the outside. Every student works with the same person from start to finish, so the plan stays focused and the relationship stays consistent.

Get In Touch

Get Started with StrivePath in Mill Valley

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