We guide families through the boarding school process with a focus on academic, social, and emotional fit — informed by real experience visiting the schools we recommend.
Placing your child in an international boarding school can be an important decision, one which most often leads to an enriching experience. We help facilitate the process of selecting the school in which your child can be happy and successful.
Our mentorship spans family discovery, school shortlisting, entrance exam preparation (SSAT / ISEE / Common Entrance), essay and application development, interview coaching, scholarship applications, offer management, and first-year transition support.
Because we visit the schools we recommend, our guidance is informed by real experience — not rankings alone.
We have researched every major boarding school across the US and UK in detail — their culture, priorities, and what distinguishes a successful applicant from an unsuccessful one at each institution.
Every family receives a bespoke admissions plan. We do not use templates or apply cookie-cutter approaches — because the right school for one student is the wrong school for another.
Our specialist writing mentors produce personal statements and essays that are genuinely distinctive — essays that capture the student's authentic voice and speak directly to what each school is seeking.
Our mock interview programme is tailored to each school's known format and culture, giving students the confidence and preparation to perform at their absolute best.
We identify every available funding opportunity and support every scholarship application — ensuring families access the best possible financial outcome.
We support not just the application — but the student: their academic preparation, their personal development, and their readiness to thrive in the environment they are entering.
For US and UK boarding schools, serious preparation should begin at least 18 to 24 months before the intended entry date. For Year 9 (13+) entry, this means starting in Year 6 or Year 7 at the latest. For Sixth Form (16+) entry, preparation should begin in Year 9 or early Year 10. Helm Global recommends an initial consultation at least two years before your target entry point.
The most prestigious US boarding schools, such as Phillips Exeter and Andover, admit between 12% and 18% of applicants in a typical year — comparable to highly selective universities. Top UK schools such as Eton and Wycombe Abbey are similarly competitive. In every case, a well-prepared, strategically positioned application makes a significant difference.
Yes, financial aid and scholarships may be available, but opportunities vary significantly by school, country, and family circumstances. Some U.S. boarding schools offer need-based financial aid to international students, while others have limited funding or do not provide financial assistance to international applicants. Scholarships are also highly competitive and are not guaranteed. UK boarding schools may offer merit-based scholarships or other forms of fee reduction, although these are typically limited and competitive. Helm Global helps families identify schools where financial aid or scholarship opportunities may be available and supports them in preparing strong applications. We also help families understand each school's eligibility requirements, funding policies, and application deadlines so they can make informed decisions.
The core components are similar — academic records, test scores, teacher references, personal essays, and interviews — but the context and content differ significantly. Boarding school applications assess readiness for a residential, highly demanding academic environment. They are looking for intellectual curiosity, emotional maturity, resilience, and evidence of distinctive talent or interest. Helm Global knows exactly what each school is looking for — and we build each application accordingly.
