How a Boarding School Admissions Consultant Can Make the Process Easier (and More Successful)

Choosing to apply to boarding schools is a big decision - and for many families, it’s also a stressful one. Between researching schools, managing deadlines, and putting together a standout application, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed.

That’s where a boarding school admissions consultant can make all the difference.

These professionals are experts in the admissions process for both day and boarding schools. They guide families through every step, offering personalized advice, support, and insight to help students gain admission to their best-fit school.

1. Finding the Right Fit

There are hundreds of boarding schools out there and narrowing them down to the right few can be challenging. Should you apply to top-tier “reach” schools? What about safer options? And how do you know which school truly matches your child’s learning style, personality, and long-term goals?

An experienced boarding school advisor helps take the guesswork out of selecting the right school. They get to know your child and curate a balanced list of schools, ones that are academically appropriate, personally aligned, and offer the right campus culture. With their guidance, you’ll save time and make more informed choices.

2. Creating a Standout Applicant Profile and Strengthening Academics and Study Skills

Top boarding schools look beyond grades. They’re seeking students who are curious, motivated, and involved in their communities - students who will contribute meaningfully to school life.

A boarding school admissions advisor will help your child reflect on their interests, passions, and goals. They’ll guide you in identifying extracurricular activities, volunteer work, and enrichment opportunities, such as writing workshops, math competitions, or online coursework, all of which help students grow intellectually and stand out in a competitive applicant pool. If there are gaps in your child’s profile, your consultant will suggest ways to strengthen it - through summer programs, leadership opportunities, or academic challenges.

Even high-performing students may need extra support to meet the rigorous expectations of top boarding schools. An independent educational consultant can help assess your child’s academic preparedness and offer strategies to build key skills like time management, self-advocacy, and critical thinking.

4. Preparing for School Visits and Interviews

Campus visits and interviews are essential parts of the boarding school admissions process. Schools are looking for students - and families - who will be a great fit for their community.

A boarding school advisor helps you make the most of each visit by offering guidance on what to ask (or not ask), how to engage, and what to look for. They also help both students and parents prepare for interviews, which are often required by admissions offices.

With practice interviews and expert coaching, your family will feel confident and ready to shine.

5. Crafting Strong Essays, Applications, and Parent Statements

Boarding school applications often involve multiple short-answer questions and essays for both students and parents. It’s one of the most demanding parts of the process.

A boarding school admissions consultant offers valuable help here. From brainstorming ideas to refining drafts and ensuring consistency across applications, your consultant ensures that every word reflects your child’s voice, values, and potential.

They know what admissions officers are looking for and can help you write compelling responses that set your application apart.

6. Personalized Support and Expert Guidance

Perhaps the biggest benefit of working with an independent educational consultant is having a trusted advisor who knows the process inside and out. From deadlines to decision-making, you’ll always have someone to turn to for honest feedback and expert insight.

No two students are the same - and no two applications should be, either. Your boarding school admissions advisor will help your child present their best, most authentic self throughout the process, making everything from strategy to submission far more manageable.

Final Thoughts

Applying to boarding schools doesn’t have to be overwhelming. With the right guidance from a skilled boarding school admissions consultant, your family can navigate the process with confidence and clarity.

Whether you're aiming for elite boarding schools or seeking a nurturing independent day school, having a trusted expert by your side can be the key to admissions success.

Brightbridge on the Road: School Visit - Phillips Exeter

After visiting Phillips Academy Andover, I travelled north for 45 minutes along Route 495 to visit Andover’s biggest academic and athletic rival, Phillips Academy Exeter, or simply “Exeter.” Such is the life of an independent boarding school admissions counselor!

The school is nestled in the quaint community of Exeter, NH, which itself is tucked away in the Seacoast region of New Hampshire. Since it’s summer, I’ve opted to stay the night nearby in Rye, NH with its beautiful beaches as opposed to the Exeter Inn, a historic hotel that also has a popular tavern for casual dining. The extra 20-minute drive in the morning is a small price to pay in these summer months.

As one drives into the town of Exeter with its tree-lined streets and the Academy at the heart of it, you’ll notice some things that are similar to its boarding school rival, and some things that are more unique as well. It similarly is one of the most prestigious boarding schools in the world. Its campus is a harmonious blend of historic architecture, cutting-edge facilities, and natural beauty. But whereas the town of Andover is more of a suburb, the town of Exeter is more rural, offering a smaller but equally quaint, in its own distinctive way, downtown area. And whereas Andover sits atop the town of Andover, almost overlooking it, Exeter is nestled into the fabric of the downtown area. Indeed, Stillwell’s Ice Cream is just a mere few steps away.

Strolling through downtown Exeter feels like stepping into a storybook. Water Street and Front Street are lined with quaint, brick buildings that house a mix of local shops, and an ample number of restaurants and cafes, many of which have been family-owned for generations. The atmosphere is relaxed yet lively, with the town's historic charm paired with a modern, eclectic flair.

Swasey Parkway, a 10-acre park along the Squamscott River, is one of Exeter’s most scenic spots. With its walking trails, picnic areas, and views of the river, it’s the perfect place for a leisurely afternoon. During the fall, the park is a canvas of vibrant autumn colors, while in spring, it bursts with fresh blooms and lush greenery. The park also hosts various events throughout the year, from local festivals to outdoor concerts.

Exeter’s 675-acre campus itself is rich in history, with buildings dating back to the 18th century, yet it never feels stuck in the past. The iconic Academy Building is one of the school’s most recognizable landmarks. With its grand columns and bell tower, it stands as a symbol of the school’s long-standing commitment to academic rigor and moral integrity. The building is going through renovation and will include a new Design Lab with a refurbished Assembly Hall. It offers a sense of timelessness that resonates with both students and visitors.

The Class of 1945 Library was designed by renowned architect, Louis I. Kahn, and is the largest secondary school library in the world. The Phelps Science Center, Phillips Hall, which was the first building designed specifically for Harkness classrooms, The Davis Center, Goel Center for Theatre and Dance and the Bowld Music Center with its striking signature glass wall all fit neatly on the campus.

The Exeter Main Building is another architectural gem, blending the charm of century-old design with modern conveniences. Inside, it’s easy to imagine the scholars of the past engaging in thoughtful discussion or deep reflection but also see how today’s students are utilizing the space for group work, research, and brainstorming sessions. Shattuck Hall, home to Exeter’s cutting-edge science program, is a sleek building with modern design but fits perfectly into the campus’ overall aesthetic.

The beauty of Exeter’s campus lies not just in its physical architecture and its connection with nature, but also in its proximity with the quaint town it shares a name with.

Brightbridge On the Road: School Visit - Phillips Andover

As a boarding school consultant who works with families navigating the competitive private boarding school admissions landscape, I believe there’s tremendous value in experiencing these campuses firsthand. Last week, I had the pleasure of revisiting one of the largest and most historic of boarding schools, Phillips Academy Andover, or simply “Andover.”

The school is one of the largest U.S. boarding schools with nearly 1,200 students (about one quarter are day students). It’s well thought out 700-acre campus blends colonial-era brick architecture with state-of-the-art academic buildings and top ranked athletic facilities. There’s a sense of tradition here, yes, but also a refreshing openness to innovation. The Snyder Center, with its light-filled athletic facilities, and the modern classrooms in the Gelb Science Center reflect Andover’s commitment to providing its students with top-tier resources for both interscholastic competition as well as general health and wellness. The school seamlessly caters to the contemporary needs of its students while preserving its historic character.

It is the facilities that jump out at you as you walk across campus – with 19 playing fields, 18 tennis courts, Phelps Stadium, a skating center with both NHL and NCAA regulation-size rinks, the Pan Athletic center, the Rosenau Fitness Center and the aforementioned 100,000 square foot Snyder Center, which opened in 2018, the school can support many different passions.

Phillips Andover is located quite literally at the top of a (small) hill connecting with the town’s downtown area via a short 10-minute walk from campus along Main Street (or alternatively, Bartlet Street). There, students can find a vibrant downtown area with boutique shops, diverse dining options, J.P. Licks Ice Cream, a CVS, Starbucks, and the charming Andover Bookstore, all grouped together in just a few short blocks. Downtown and its nearby park, known simply as The Park at Chestnut Street, serve as a hub for community events and activities, including farmers markets and Clown Town. Movies and concerts are also offered over the summer months. Andover is only ~20-miles due north of Boston and “America’s Technology Highway” along the Route 128 corridor is even closer, meaning the town has grown over the decades as a commuter town, and the downtown area and infrastructure has grown to support the town’s population growth.

I often tell families that finding the right school is about more than rankings or reputation—it’s about fit. Andover isn’t the right choice for every student, but for the intellectually curious, socially engaged, and self-driven student who thrives on rigorous academic challenges, it offers an extraordinary environment set in a beautiful campus setting and with a charming downtown nearby.