At Upward Path Institute, many of the families we serve come from globally accomplished backgrounds. A significant portion of the parents we work with were educated outside the U.S.—often in countries like India, China, or other parts of Asia. They are entrepreneurs, engineers, doctors, business leaders, and academics who bring deep dedication to their children’s success.
We understand their journey on a personal level—because we’ve lived it ourselves. Both of our co-founders come from this same background. Despite attending top-tier institutions in India (BITS Pilani and IIM), they discovered—when it came time to guide their own children through U.S. college admissions—that their families simply weren’t prepared. The rules were different, and so were the expectations.
This realization was the seed that led to the founding of Upward Path Institute. It required not just learning new systems—but unlearning old ones. Part of the challenge was reshaping their own mindsets and belief systems, a humbling and transformative process that now shapes how we support every family we serve.
1. Different Systems, Different Assumptions
Many parents come from education systems that emphasize test scores, standardized paths, and linear career progression. Naturally, these parents tend to look for similar indicators of success here in the U.S. system.
But the U.S. model—particularly when it comes to selective college admissions—is less about academic perfection and more about the whole student. It values conviction in career choice, self-awareness, personal voice, and demonstrated impact, often in unexpected ways. Helping parents navigate this shift requires ongoing dialogue and mutual learning.
2. Social Circles Often Reinforce Pressure
Many parents look to their social networks for advice—and understandably so. But these circles often consist of other families with similar backgrounds and limited exposure to the nuances of the U.S. college process. As a result, unproven strategies or secondhand pressure (like doing internships in 8th grade or enrolling in every program under the sun) can quickly become the norm.
We’ve learned that the most effective way to support families in these situations is not by dismissing those ideas, but by offering context: why certain approaches work, which ones are optional, and how to prioritize based on the child’s unique path.
3. Trust Takes Time—and Is Worth It
We recognize that many of the families we work with have succeeded by following structure, discipline, and long-term planning. They’re not resistant to change; they’re cautious because they care deeply. That’s why we don’t just “tell” families what to do—we build partnerships rooted in empathy, transparency, and trust.
Our goal is to become guides, not gatekeepers—supporting parents as they make thoughtful decisions in a landscape that can feel very different from the one they grew up in.
4. Every Family Brings Strength
We’ve also learned this: every family—no matter where they were educated—brings something powerful to the table. Whether it’s resilience, work ethic, community values, or love for learning, these strengths help shape confident, grounded students who are ready to thrive.
Our job is to honor those strengths while bridging the gap between past and present, between global experience and U.S. expectations.
5. Town Halls: A Space for Shared Growth
As part of our evolving solution set, we introduced town hall–style meetings for parents several years ago. These sessions are designed to help parents rethink aspects of parenting within the context of U.S. college admissions and career planning.
Hosted by our President, Mr. Gupta, these gatherings are consistently well-received. They’re not lectures—they’re conversations. The tone is entirely non-judgmental, and what’s especially powerful is that parents often begin offering advice and support to one another. It’s a community learning moment, grounded in empathy and shared purpose.
Looking Ahead
As we continue evolving our programs and parent engagement strategies, we do so with deep gratitude for the families who have trusted us on this journey. The learning has gone both ways.
If you’re a parent navigating the U.S. system after being educated abroad, know this: you’re not alone. We’ve been there. And we’re here to support you—with clarity, compassion, and deep respect for everything you bring to your child’s future.