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

CEO

Along with his wife Sarah, Don manages the team of McMillan educational counselors 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

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

We're Here Even When You're There: How We Use Technology In Our Consulting Practice

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.Read more

Harvard Spared by the Feds – But Look Behind the Crimson Curtain

Despite accepting Asian American candidates at a lower rate than other applicants*, Harvard was spared this afternoon as a federal judge ruled the university does not discriminate against Asian Americans in admissions decisions.Read more

Don on Enrollment Management Trip

Don McMillan is looking forward to moderating a panel aimed at private school admissions officers about the power of consortiums at the The Enrollment Management Association EMA/SSAT national conference in DC. Drew Carlson and Brendon Welker will join Don on the annual kickoff to the school admissions season, where they will trade notes about private schools admissions trends.Read more

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

Second Season

It’s not too late to find a great independent school for Fall 2019! Every year, throughout the spring and right through the summer, we are able to find wonderful fits for students of all ages and abilities.Read more

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

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

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

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