Insights from Don McMillan, M.A., M.F.A.

CEO
Along with his wife Sarah, Don manages the team of McMillan educational consultants and works directly with families across the country and throughout the world in school and college planning. Regularly quoted as an expert on education in major publications, Don also shares his experience as a sought-after speaker at national conferences.
Get to know Don
Don McMillan Headshot
ADMIT, DENY, or WAITLIST- Inside a College Admissions Committee War Room
ADMIT, DENY, or WAITLIST- Inside a College Admissions Committee War Room

Suzie’s C in sophomore English and so-so essay led to each admissions officer’s right hand going up after hearing the proposed “Deny?” But Alfonzo’s compelling first-generation essay and transcript full of As and Bs in honors classes resulted in a unanimous “Admit” vote. Read more

Specialists and Generalists
Specialists and Generalists Pre-Professional vs. Liberal Arts Options for College Applicants

Susie’s been certain she wants to become a physical therapist since her own PT painstakingly rehabbed her back on to the soccer pitch after ACL surgery. Meanwhile, her twin 17-year-old brother Sam loves biology – but also can’t live without Spanish. Or music.Read more

Leveraging Our Tech Tools to Help Find the Right School or College
Leveraging Our Tech Tools to Help Find the Right School or College

What I love about our industry-leading tech tools is they allow our students and their parents extra resources to benefit from on top of the personalized counseling we provide. And though we pride ourselves on the easy access we provide our families, the OWL Portal and other tech resources are open 24/7. Read more

Decisions, Decisions: Questions to Consider in Choosing Among Acceptances
Decisions, Decisions: Questions to Consider in Choosing Among Acceptances

As school and college acceptance offers come in each spring, parents whose kids I’ve been counseling ask me, “Which one would you choose if it were your child?”Read more

Studying in the US: What Are the Best Options For Bermudians?
Studying in the US: What Are the Best Options For Bermudians? Why Come to the U.S.?

We've helped dozens of families from Bermuda find the best school and college in the States. Read more

Leveraging Your Swiss Hook
Leveraging Your Swiss Hook

Our team will be traveling to Geneva to talk about the American admissions process with schools. For students looking to study in the States, we advise them to be sure to leverage their ‘Swiss Hook.’ Read more

South of the Border: Guiding Montreal Students to Top Schools and Universities
South of the Border: Guiding Montreal Students to Top Schools and Universities

As an educational consultant, I’ve worked with many students wanting to ‘come south of the border’ to American prep schools and universities. Why do so many Montreal families look down here? Read more

Are AP Classes Right For You?
Are AP Classes Right For You?

Many of our students received their AP scores earlier this month. Though not as many colleges grant college credit for top scores as they used to, the exams do demonstrate academic excellence at roughly the same level as a college-level course. Read more

'You Sent Your Child Away!'
'You Sent Your Child Away!' Demystifying the Boarding School Experience

Boarding schools offer more than sparkling Learning Centers, AP-laced curricula and turf-field blessed acres of playing fields. They serve as 24/7, holistic learning microcosms; nurturing communities.Read more

Where's Waldo Tips for Tackling Wacky College Essay Prompts

Colleges are requiring more out-of-the-box essays than ever to gauge not only candidates’ writing but their wit and creativity as well.Read more