In-Person Event
From Silicon Valley to Stanford: The Distance Isnโt Measured in Miles
The Bay Area High School Playbook
Join us for an insider's look at today's college admissions landscape and learn the strategies successful students are using to stand out at highly selective universities.

Limited seats only
๐ August 29th, 2026
๐ 1:30 - 3:30pm PT
๐ Santa Clara Marriott
What You'll Learn
The New Reality of College Admissions
- What selective colleges are really looking for today.
- How admissions have changed over the past few years.
- Why thousands of academically strong students are still rejected.
Building a Competitive Student Profile
- Choosing the right courses and academic rigor.
- Creating impactful extracurricular activities.
- Research opportunities, internships, and leadership experiences.
- Developing a unique "student story."
Bay Area Admissions Insights
- How applicants from the Bay Area are evaluated.
- What distinguishes successful applicants from the rest.
- Common mistakes families make in highly competitive school districts.
College Planning Timeline
- What students should accomplish each year of high school.
- Summer planning strategies.
- Preparing for applications before senior year begins.
Live Q&A
Bring your admissions questions and receive guidance from experienced college admissions experts.
Who Should Attend?
This event is ideal for:
- Parents of students in Grades 8โ11.
- High school students planning for Top 20 colleges.
- Families interested in Ivy League, Stanford, UC campuses, and other selective universities.
- Students seeking a strategic advantage in the admissions process.
Event Details
๐
August 29, 2026
๐ 1:30 โ 3:30 PM PT
๐ Santa Clara Marriott
Bonus For Attendees
Receive a PathIvy College Admissions Timeline and a One-on-One Strategic Roadmap Consultation to help your student navigate the path to college success.
Limited Seating Available
If you have any questions, please contact robin@pathivy.com
MEET YOUR COLLEGE ADMISSIONS EXPERTS
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Dr. Calla Buttke, EdD
Senior Director of College Counseling
B.A., University of WisconsinโMadison
M.A., Stanford University
Doctorate , Vanderbilt University
For more than a decade, Calla has guided students through the college admissions process, helping them gain acceptance to highly selective universities. Her expertise includes academic planning, extracurricular development, college list strategy, and application coaching.
At this event, Calla will discuss how students can build a compelling profile over time, identify meaningful opportunities, and develop a clear narrative that stands out in competitive admissions. She will also share practical guidance on when students should begin preparing, what colleges are looking for today, and how families can approach the admissions process with greater confidence and clarity.

Ralph Serrano
Senior College Admissions Counselor
Bachelors, Masters
UC Berkeley
With over 20 years of experience as an undergraduate admissions officer and manager at UC Berkeley, this counselor has reviewed thousands of undergraduate applications and guided hundreds of students through the college admissions process.
Drawing on extensive firsthand admissions expertise, they specialize in helping students applying to competitive programs in STEM and Computer Science, Pre-Med, Business, and Pre-Law. By tailoring each student's application strategy to their intended major and target universities, they help applicants present their strongest academic, extracurricular, and personal profiles for highly selective admissions.

Dr. Andy Jones-Liang, EdD
Senior College Admissions Counselor
B.A., University of Southern California
M.A., UCLA
Doctorate, University of Southern California
As a former USC Admissions Officer, Andy brings firsthand insight into how highly selective universities use holistic review to evaluate students beyond grades and test scores. He has more than 15 years of direct student counseling experience as a college consultant, academic advisor, and program manager.
Andy is also an experienced writing specialist who has guided 300+ students in developing authentic personal statements for college admissions, merit scholarships, and international fellowships. His approach combines course planning, extracurricular strategy, profile development, and application storytelling to help each student present a cohesive and distinctive application. He specializes in supporting students interested in Business, Engineering, and the Humanities.
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