Blog

Spring To-Do List for Juniors:

Spring for juniors means prom dresses and corsages, soaking up the sun over spring break, and enjoying outdoor sports like lacrosse and baseball. But juniors may also feel very stressed, as their...

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US Colleges and Universities and Extracurricular Activities

The “Liberal Arts” model of education favored by many US colleges and universities promotes the development of critical thinking and the broad value of learning from one’s peers over direct training for...

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Studying in Glasgow, Scotland

Glasgow, Scotland is home to several renowned and well-respected universities, including the University of Glasgow, University of Strathclyde, Glasgow Caledonian University, and Glasgow School of Art. Glasgow is one of the more...

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“To Test or Not to Test” as the SAT and ACT make a Comeback

At the end of 2023, we noted in our 2024 College Admission Trends and Predictions that “even in the current, widely test-optional admissions landscape, testing continues to occupy a lot of real...

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Comparing IE University (Spain) and Bocconi University (Italy)

If you are a student from the U.S., or an international student looking for a great college experience in Europe, consider IE University in Segovia, Spain or Bocconi University in Milan, Italy. ...

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Glasgow, Scotland: An Underrated Academic Destination

Glasgow, Scotland, beckons with its rich academic heritage and vibrant cultural scene, making it a prime destination for students seeking quality education and an unforgettable experience. Here’s a comprehensive overview of studying...

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The Importance of College Visits

An American phenomenon that is spreading to other countries – not unlike Levi’s and Coca-Cola in the 80’s and hopefully healthier than the bizarrely ubiquitous KFC – is the concept of touring...

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Getting Started with Applications Early!

Every November, we get some from international families of seniors seeking application assistance. Sacre bleu! Mamma mia! Or as my mother-in-law says, “Maria Petruchka Petrovna”! No, mi amigo, you must start early!...

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The Seed, the Sapling, and the Sequoia

My favorite time of year is when winter dissolves away and I begin my search for the magic and beauty that is Mother Nature and the emergence of new life. It inspires...

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School Decisions and What it All Means

Since the January 15th application deadline, students have patiently waited for their decisions to arrive, while admissions offices have been hard at work reading essays, reviewing interview notes, and discussing applicants. Soon,...

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Cultivating Your Garden: A Time to Plant, A Time to Reap; A Time to Speak, a Time to Keep Silent, and a Time to Let Go.

I have three plants in my office. I don’t know what kind they are. They have miraculously survived for a few years despite the fact that I water them only when I...

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I’m on the Waitlist, now what?

It is finally March, and the independent schools are releasing their decisions. If you find yourself with a letter of acceptance to your top choice, congratulations – this part of your process...

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What Cultivate Your Garden Means to Me: Tending to Plants, Tending to Ourselves

There are many things I get from my mother, but a green thumb is not one of them. While my mother can nurse a sickly plant back to life with just the...

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School 2024: What You Need to Know (Video Podcast with Don McMillan and Peter Olrich)

Tune in to Don and Peter’s discussion on School 2024: What You Need to Know.

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College 2024: What You Need to Know (Video Podcast with Don McMillan and Peter Olrich)

Tune in to Don and Peter’s discussion on College 2024: What You Need to Know.

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Four Factors to Consider When Scheduling Your Spring Campus Visits

Visiting college campuses is often the first step students take in taking the abstract concept of college and translating it to the real world. These initial visits serve as an introduction to...

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What Cultivate Your Garden Means to Me: Nurturing our own gifts to create beauty in the world

Photo: Don and Sarah enjoying Normandy, France’s naturally blooming gardens of poppies, 1989. What Cultivate Your Garden Means to Me: Nurturing our own gifts to create beauty in the world It’s true...

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2023’s Educational Trends & Preview of 2024’s Admissions Landscape

Click the link below to view 2023’s Educational Trends & Preview of 2024’s Admissions Landscape.

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2023 Independent Schools Trends & Advice To Families And Schools For 2024

Photo: Rachel, Whiz, Bill, and Carolyn enjoying the new playground at Charles River School. 2023 Independent Schools Trends – and Advice to Families and Schools for 2024 Dear Families and Friends of...

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Therapeutic Planning: Trends from 2023 & Predictions for 2024

2023 Trends: What We Saw in Schools & Colleges Like boarding and independent day schools, the therapeutic field of private behavioral health schools and programs saw a large surge of students seeking...

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2024 College Admissions Trends and Predictions

In 2023, our team continued to prioritize post-pandemic travel, visiting campuses all throughout the US, Europe, Canada and the UK, deepening our relationships and knowledge, and taking the temperature of the higher...

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“The Waiting Is The Hardest Part”: Timely Advice for High School Seniors

Okay, first, if you teens don’t know who Tom Petty is, ask your parents. They have so much to teach you about great music. Most seniors in high school have now submitted...

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Doubling Down on Growth

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Living Our 2024 Theme: Four Ways I Commit to “Cultivating Our Garden” This Year

Living Our 2024 Theme: Four Ways I Commit to “Cultivating Our Garden” This Year Each year at McMillan Education we collectively embrace a theme to inspire our work with our students. In...