Allison Wignall

Allison is the Editor & Content Manager of College Raptor. In addition to writing and editing posts, she also works on marketing and special projects. She graduated from the University of Iowa with a degree in English: Creative Writing.
ACT & SAT

7 Helpful Last Minute SAT/ACT Prep Tips

By Allison WignallLast updated on July 3, 2024
SAT and ACT prep isn’t something you should cram the week before your test date. These exams aren’t about facts and figures, and it takes months to master the material and formats. If you forgot to prepare, though, it’s better late than never! As your test date approaches, there are some last minute SAT/ACT test …
In a perfect world, you would never second guess your answers, especially on the SAT or ACT.
ACT & SAT

When to Change Your Answer on the ACT / SAT (And When Not To)

By Allison WignallLast updated on December 22, 2022
In an ideal world, you’d never second guess your answers. It’s a great feeling when you bubble in your answer and you know, for sure, you’re right. However, it doesn’t feel as great when you’re not certain, when you’re flipping-flopping between A or C, or you think question 43 might be wrong—maybe. That uncertainty can …
Slowly build up your scholarship awards. Apply to scholarships regularly
scholarship search & applications

Why You Should Apply to Scholarships Regularly

By Allison WignallLast updated on December 22, 2022
Scholarships are, without a doubt, the ideal way to pay for college. Even with all the hype they get, however, there’s still a few misconceptions that surround scholarships. Some think that scholarships are only for graduating high school seniors (they’re not), some think you only apply for scholarships the summer before school (nope), and other …
Here's a summer checklist of things to do before college starts.
student life

A Summer Checklist for Graduating Seniors

By Allison WignallLast updated on December 22, 2022
First off—Congratulations! You’ve made it through high school and all that stands between you and being a college freshman is summer. While you’ve definitely earned some fun in the sun and relaxation time, there’s still some college prep work to do during your break. That’s why we put together this summer checklist, to make sure …
Here's how to narrow down your college major options.
college majors & minors

Narrowing Down Your College Major Options

By Allison WignallLast updated on December 22, 2022
Picking a college major isn’t always easy, and nobody should refer to eenie-meenie-minie-moe to choose. If you have a couple of options on the table, here’s how to narrow down your college major options. Start with a Career and Work Backwards Sometimes you may have two or three different passions you’re interested in pursuing. (Personally, …
Everyone seems to have a different opinion on when you declare your major.
questions & answers

When Do I Have to Declare a College Major?

By Allison WignallLast updated on December 22, 2022
It seems that everybody has a different take on just when to declare a college major. Some say you should declare it right on your application, others say after freshman year. While each of those examples have their pros and cons, it begs the question: when do you have to declare? Declare Your College Major …
A bunch of hanging dolls in doll exhibit main library.
scholarships

Scholarships for Students Who Love to Collect Things

By Allison WignallLast updated on December 22, 2022
Got a cool collection you love to brag about? Well, that passion can actually win you scholarship awards! Here are a few great opportunities for gift aid based on your love of collecting! ANA College Scholarship Amount: $1,000 Deadline: March 13, 2020 Let’s start off with a classic collection item: coins! These metallic forms of …
A chocolate cupcake with a raspberry on top.
scholarships

Scholarships for Students with a Sweet Tooth

By Allison WignallLast updated on December 22, 2022
Got a taste for sugary goodness? We all have our indulgences and guilty pleasures (I’m a sucker for chocolate peanut butter cups, myself). However, in this case, it may not be a “too much of a good thing” situation. In fact, your sweet tooth might lead you to some tasty scholarship opportunities. John Kitt Memorial …
Image of a smiling black woman standing in the hallway.
student loans

How to Be a Responsible Student Loan Borrower

By Allison WignallLast updated on December 22, 2022
There are plenty of mistakes you’ll want to avoid when it comes to student loans. It’s far better to prevent trouble than to dig your way out, after all. Here’s how to be responsible with your student loans from the get go. Do Your Research Instead of applying to any student loan you’re eligible for, …

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