If your child is aiming for a top US university, the process starts much earlier than most families realize. This year-by-year roadmap covers exactly what to focus on from 9th through 12th grade — so you're never scrambling at the last minute.

Most families imagine a single reader carefully weighing every word of every essay. The reality is more structured — and once you understand it, it changes how you approach the entire application.

A clear, realistic college list is one of the most powerful tools a family can have. Here's exactly what reach, match, and safety schools mean — and how to build a balanced list that gives your child real options.

Families often hear that colleges want well-rounded students. But what top schools actually want is a well-rounded class. Here's what a spike is and how your child can build one.