The author was raised, educated, and employed within the US university system. She knows that there are 4,000 plus accredited institutions in the US, 3,000 of which offer four-year degree programs. Despite this, parents of international students want their child to get into a top US school. To most, this means one of ten best-known universities. Instead, Aquino offers readers and clients this realistic advice: It’s all about finding the right fit for your child’s future/life. But how does a prospective international applicant go about finding the perfect fit? Students and parents now have access to this workbook that guides them, step-by-step, through a two-year preparation—from junior year and ending after high school graduation.

The future applicant must concentrate on grades, testing, getting referrers, finding a summer job or volunteering, and, of course, completing essays and forms. The parents’ task is to monitor that the student is on target for all the milestones Aquino insists are necessary to create a long list of possible universities. Once this is narrowed down to a short list (10-15), parents should attend campus visits as possible. Case studies demonstrate this process through the eyes of many international families. Tips from peers are marvelous motivators. Charts to fill in are convenient for comparing pros and cons of schools researched. Aquino lists additional references that are essential in evaluating universities by location, studies, and extracurricular interests. Since written communication is such a large part of how universities gauge fit, a writing handbook is provided. The 324-page book also includes an extensive index.

Aquino’s caring, first-hand knowledge of the subject shines through. The book is never dry, rather exuding an air of enthusiasm as the author and readers cheer on real families. A can-do attitude makes two years of preparation fly by―in print and in fact.

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