Most parents focus on junior year as the big planning moment for college admissions. By then, the doors to AP courses have often been opened or closed already. Here is why sophomore year is the quiet turning point in a strong transcript.

Every spring, families call in a panic asking if we can prep their student for an AP exam in four weeks. We always step in, but the real advantage starts months earlier. Here is how one student's 15 hours of fall tutoring earned her a 5 on AP Calculus and let her skip placement at Dickinson.

Most families know AP, but when the IB Diploma Program comes up, parents often have questions. Both programs are rigorous, both can carry weight in admissions, and at many schools students can mix and match courses from each. Here is how AP and IB actually compare and how to think about which one fits your student best.