Hilary Cairns

Hilary Cairns is a graduate of SUNY New Paltz and has a BA in English/Creative Writing. She's an established freelance writer who also has a hand in marketing, social media, and editing for various businesses across the United States.
Honors courses and colleges attract a lot of attention.
questions & answers, student life

A Complete Guide to Honors Programs and 5 Big Benefits

By Hilary CairnsPublished on October 16, 2024
Honor programs recognize high-achieving students who have a history of excellent grades. The programs’ classes and courses are difficult, but they can be perfect for high school and college students who want a challenge in their education. Plus, they offer a number of benefits including recognition, scholarship opportunities, and more. Here’s a complete look at …
college comparisons

Easiest Law Schools to Get Into

By Hilary CairnsPublished on October 16, 2024
Getting into law school requires careful planning, dedication, and a strong academic performance. It’s rarely something a student can wander aimlessly into and get accepted. However, just like undergraduate colleges, there are some law schools that are easier to get an acceptance letter than others. Here’s a look at the 10 easiest law schools to …
careers & internships

Bar Exam Sample Questions

By Hilary CairnsPublished on October 16, 2024
Once lawyers earn their Juris Doctor (J.D.), they can sit for the bar exam. The bar exam is required for them to become practicing lawyers. The test is undergoing some changes in the near future and the questions will be changed. We’ve covered everything you need to know below and provided some places to find …
Chart of College enrollment rates.
college admissions

Higher Ed Trends: Declining College Enrollment

By Hilary CairnsPublished on October 9, 2024
Undergraduate college enrollment has been steadily declining since peak enrollment in 2010. The decline has become even more pronounced in recent years after the COVID-19 pandemic. But what’s driving students to not enroll in college in the past 14 years? Birth rates, high costs, low value, and other factors are at play. We cover everything …
careers & internships

20 Jobs That Don’t Require a Degree

By Hilary CairnsPublished on October 1, 2024
While a college degree is required in some fields and careers, it’s not always the best path to achieve your goals – especially if you want to work in an industry or position that doesn’t require a degree. Understanding your personal goals, career aspirations, and financial situation can help you make the best decision for …
Follow up with the colleges you applied to.
college admissions, college applications

A Simplified Guide to QuestBridge and Which Colleges Use it

By Hilary CairnsPublished on September 24, 2024
QuestBridge is a nonprofit organization in the United States that matches high-achieving students from low-income households with leading colleges and universities. Its primary program, the National College Match, helps students gain admission and full scholarships to top-tier schools. If you’re from a low-income household, here’s how you can take advantage of Questbridge. What is the …
part of the common data set form.
college comparisons, college search

The Common Data Set: Insight into College Applications & Admissions

By Hilary CairnsPublished on September 16, 2024
Key Takeaway: The Common Data Set (CDS) initiative is a collaboration of schools, publishers, and the higher education community to publish data relevant to college students, application processes, financial aid, and more. Common Data Set can provide insight into acceptance rates, SAT/ACT scores, college costs, and factors that can influence a student’s decision on whether …

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Join thousands of students and parents learning about finding the right college, admissions secrets, scholarships, financial aid, and more.