How early should we start planning for college admissions with Cardinal Education?

If the words “apply to the U.S.” have even crossed your mind, that’s a great time to start. Ideally, Swiss students should begin working with us in Grade 9 or 10. Why? Because U.S. college admissions isn’t just about what you’ve done in your final year—it’s about the full arc of your academic and personal journey. Starting early gives us time to shape a cohesive narrative, choose subjects that align with U.S. academic expectations, and build extracurricular experiences that show leadership, initiative, and intellectual curiosity.

Whether your child is pursuing the Matura, IB, or French Bac, early planning allows us to guide course selection, identify summer opportunities, and recommend strategic standardized testing timelines. But if you’re late to the party? Don’t worry. We work with students at all stages—and we’re really good at helping things come together quickly. The earlier we start, the smoother the journey. But there’s no wrong time to get serious about success.