When is the best time for Switzerland-based families to begin working with a U.S. admissions consultant?

The short answer? As early as possible. Ideally, families in Switzerland should begin the admissions planning process two to three years before their child intends to apply to U.S. universities. That might sound excessive, but U.S. college admissions require far more than strong academics. Students need time to build up their extracurricular profiles, explore meaningful leadership opportunities, and identify unique personal stories that will make their applications stand out. Starting early also allows for proper SAT or ACT preparation, especially important for Swiss students navigating unfamiliar test formats.

If your child is targeting elite U.S. private high schools, we suggest that you apply even earlier (around Grade 7 or 8) particularly if they’ll need to take the SSAT or ISEE. Early planning gives us time to advise on subject selection (Matura or IB), build a testing strategy, and guide students through long-term profile development. Waiting until the last minute is a recipe for unnecessary stress. Future-you will be thankful you started early.