Ellen Andersen

Ellen is a guest blogger for College Raptor. She is a recent graduate of the University of Iowa. She holds a BA in English with Creative Writing and Psychology. Her current focus is applying to the Fulbright Scholar program.
An open black wallet with money inside.
financial advice & planning

Parents, Don’t Pay For Everything

By Ellen AndersenLast updated on December 22, 2022
There are a couple life skills that college kids need to know in order to survive. How to cook, how do laundry, how to study, etc. Of course, of all of these things that your student needs to know, one of the most important tricks is how to save money and work with a budget. …
myths

Myth: College is Only For Young Students in Their 20’s

By Ellen AndersenLast updated on December 22, 2022
You may have noticed that not everyone in your college classroom is your age, especially if you are taking a night course. Adult learners are a growing presence in post-secondary education. Some schools (such as Phoenix University, which you’ve probably seen ads for) openly cater to these students. But what exactly is an adult learner? …
A black and white alarm clock next to an open notebook.
ACT & SAT

When Should Students Take the ACT / SAT?

By Ellen AndersenLast updated on December 22, 2022
Now, I know what you might be thinking. Students generally take the ACT or SAT in the spring of their junior year. Why should you consider taking it earlier than that, or multiple times? The truth of the matter is that you are almost guaranteed to increase your score by taking the test a second …
How to find a college for visually impaired students
college search

How to Find the Perfect College as a Visually Impaired Student

By Ellen AndersenLast updated on December 22, 2022
Unlike with wheelchair-accessible colleges, you might not be able to Google which college campuses are the most suitable for visually impaired students. Because of the spectrum for those with visual impairments—visually impaired, legally blind, and totally blind—there is likely no surefire thing universities can do about their campuses being easily navigable. In addition, each student …
A white and beige clock with text to the left that says "the importance of office hours."
tips tools & advice

The Importance of Office Hours: Why You Should Go

By Ellen AndersenLast updated on December 22, 2022
Imagine it’s syllabus week. Your professors are spending the first day of class going over the schedule for the semester (subject to change). They outline expectations for you. They tell you when the exams will be and talk about the importance of doing the readings and coming to lecture. They’ve also mentioned what times they …
questions & answers

What is the Fulbright U.S. Student Program?

By Ellen AndersenLast updated on December 22, 2022
It’s possible that you’ve heard the term “Fulbright” before, but you might not have had it explained to you. It’s just another grant to apply for, right? Yes and no. As someone currently going through the application process, I can tell you that it is a wee bit more than that. It is a great …
Graduating students in red robes and caps sitting together.
questions & answers

Why are Graduation Rates so Low Across the Country?

By Ellen AndersenLast updated on December 22, 2022
More and more often, we see schools that grant bachelor’s degrees having low 4-year graduation rates. Some programs seem to extend to 5 or even 6 years frequently. However, even across these extra years, the rates can be low. The same applies to schools that grant associate’s degrees; only 28% of students graduated with an …

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