College Counseling in San Mateo, CA
Academic Planning, College Admissions & Student Success Coaching
Good intentions are not enough when it comes to college. StrivePath gives students a structured plan and the support to actually follow through on it.
Trusted by hundreds of families across the Bay Area
Voted Best College Advisor
Structured College Planning & Admissions Support for San Mateo Families
StrivePath provides in-person academic planning, college admissions guidance, and holistic student success coaching for middle school and high school students in San Mateo. Our in-person sessions help build accountability and consistency, giving students the support they need to thrive..
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
Fashion Magazine
City skyline
Our Services
Academic Planning for Middle Schoolers
For students in 7th and 8th grade who want a strong start before high school begins. We help them develop consistent habits, choose the right courses, and build the skills that carry them through the years ahead.
Academic Strategies for High School Students
For 9th and 10th graders who want to make the most of their early high school years. We help students build a focused transcript, get involved in activities that genuinely fit them, and develop a realistic college list before things get stressful.
College Planning for Seniors
Perfect for students who are ready to commit to the application process and need a clear plan to follow. We handle school research, list building, essay development, and deadline management from start to finish.
Career and Interest Exploration
Ideal for sophomores who want to get clear on their direction while they still have time to build around it. We help students identify what excites them, connect those interests to meaningful experiences, and develop a plan that makes sense for them.
Extracurricular Strategy for Juniors
For 11th graders who want their application profile to reflect something real about who they are. We help students find programs, competitions, and opportunities that are both personally meaningful and strategically smart.
Athletic Recruit Add-On for Student-Athletes
For student-athletes who want to compete at the college level without letting academics or applications fall behind. We create a recruiting timeline, support coach outreach, and keep everything moving on both tracks.
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.
A Good College Is Just the Beginning
At StrivePath, we care as much about who your student becomes as where they get in. We focus on building self-awareness, follow-through, and the confidence to handle what comes after high school. Families tell us they feel less reactive and more prepared throughout the process.
Students leave with a stronger sense of direction and the habits to back it up. That combination matters on applications and in everything that follows.
Happier students. Less stressed families. Better 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.
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
Community Organizations We Partner With:
StrivePath Resources:
Serving San Mateo and Nearby Communities
We work with students and families across San Mateo and the surrounding area, including Burlingame, Foster City, Belmont, San Carlos, and Redwood City. Sessions are available in person or online, and most families use a combination of both throughout the year.
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 Mateo 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?
We work with students as early as 7th grade. Starting with good academic habits and smart course choices early on creates real options by high school. Families who come to us in 9th or 10th grade still see strong results when applications come around.
How much does it cost?
Pricing depends on your student's grade level and the kind of support they need. The best way to get a straight answer is to book a free intro call and we will go through the options with you.
Do you help with college essays?
Yes. Essay support is built into our college planning packages. We help students identify an honest, compelling angle, work through multiple drafts, and keep refining until the writing sounds genuinely like them.
What if my student is a recruited athlete?
We offer a dedicated athletic recruiting program for student-athletes managing the recruiting process alongside school and applications. It runs on its own or alongside standard college planning.
Do you work with transfer students?
Yes. Our transfer advising program is built for students moving from community college to a four-year school or switching between universities. The requirements and timelines are different from freshman admissions and we know how to handle both.
What makes StrivePath different?
Our counselors have real experience inside admissions offices. They know how decisions are made and what actually sets an application apart. Every student works with the same counselor throughout, so nothing gets lost and the strategy stays consistent.
Get In Touch
Get Started with StrivePath in San Mateo
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.
