Students and parents are being offered advice about how to choose the best boarding school or university.

American-based education specialists Don McMillan and Drew Carlson will visit the Island this month.

They will consult with international students about the application process for schools in the United States, Canada and Britain.

“International applications have exploded in recent years, making the college and prep school admissions landscape even more competitive,” Mr McMillan said.

“We guide candidates from Bermuda in their planning inside and outside the classroom to develop then highlight their distinctive cultural, academic and athletic qualities.”

Mr McMillan and Mr Carlson work for McMillan, Howland & Spence (MH&S), a US educational consultancy firm that has been working with students from Bermuda for more than 30 years.

Mr McMillan said they would outline the admissions landscape for boarding schools and universities and explain the wide range of campus options, including those that best serve those with learning differences, talented and gifted students, athletes, or those specialising in science, technology, engineering and maths (STEM) subjects.

“Many of our Bermuda students prefer the liberal arts approach in the States, where university students explore a whole range of areas in the first two years before committing to a major,” he said.

“Lots of teenagers simply don’t know what they want to do yet and worry about committing to an area at too young an age then regretting the choice.

“As the eight of us [at MH&S] worked in many of these schools for over 20 years, we know the nuances that not only distinguish the schools and colleges in terms of admissions standards, but also which campuses and programmes align best with a student’s individual profile.”

Mr McMillan said the first step in the process was making a school recommendation based on a student’s academic performance and their extracurricular and social activities.

The second step involves obtaining the relevant test scores and grades, teacher recommendations and writing admissions essays.

Mr McMillan said they offered advice about summer programmes, which can give international students the benefit of meeting other children before the start of the school year.

As president of MH&S since 2009, Mr McMillan manages the team of educational consultants and works with families worldwide, while Mr Carlson has an extensive background in admission and educational planning, with a focus on the challenges and opportunities of international students.

Mr McMillan and Mr Carlson will be on the Island from Sunday until next Wednesday, and will give a presentation, “Building Your Candidacy for The Best Prep School and College Fit”, at Royal Bermuda Yacht Club from 5.30pm to 7.30pm on Monday. To attend the free event, which is open to members of the public, e-mail ann@mcmillaneducation.com by Saturday. Individual appointments are also available.