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.
girl-reading-college-acceptance-letter
college admissions

Etiquette in Your College Acceptance

By Hilary CairnsLast updated on March 8, 2024
Congratulations on receiving your college acceptance letters! Before you go make that social media post about it though, wait a minute. You should celebrate your achievements, but it’s important to be cognizant of others’ feelings, especially if they didn’t get in. Here’s how you can practice proper etiquette and be tasteful with your announcement and …
Guide to Understanding financial aid award letters.
financial aid, questions & answers

Guide to Understanding Financial Aid Award Letters

By Hilary CairnsLast updated on August 1, 2023
Understanding financial aid award letters can be confusing – especially since colleges and other organizations don’t have a single format! Every letter you receive will be slightly different as they use different formats, terminology, and numbers. So how do you make sense of it? This guide should be able to help! Types of Financial Aid …
Going on campus tours is an integral part of the college search process.
tips tools & advice

How to Tour Colleges That Are Far Away

By Hilary CairnsLast updated on December 21, 2022
Some students don’t want to go to college near their hometown or even in their state – so how do they tour colleges that are far away? Students in this position can take an online tour, but if their doing an in-person tour, planning is necessary. Here are some tips to make the best decisions …
A professor talking to a student in their office.
student life

How to Get to Know Your Professors

By Hilary CairnsLast updated on December 21, 2022
Are you planning on going to a college that has very large lectures for a majority of their classes? Students are often told, “Get to know your professors!” while at school. It can open a lot of doors when done right – but how can you possibly get to know them if you have over …
How often should you see your high school guidance counselor?
questions & answers

Advice From Your High School Counselor

By Hilary CairnsLast updated on December 22, 2022
Your high school counselor wants you to start early, ask questions, and get the right start in life, but when is the last time you’ve been to your high school counselor? High school advisers are there to help you make the most of high school and start their journey after school. Whether that’s straight into …
what scholarships are out there
scholarship search & applications

How Many Scholarships Can One Person Get?

By Hilary CairnsLast updated on December 22, 2022
It’s time to be looking for scholarships, and you may be wondering, what’s the limit? How many scholarships can one person really get? There is actually no limit! So how many scholarships should you apply for? What kinds of scholarships should you look at? How Many Scholarships Can You Actually Get? There is no limit …
A light bulb drawn on a board with scribbles on a wall behind it.
scholarships

The Gates Scholarship

By Hilary CairnsLast updated on December 22, 2022
On the lookout for scholarships? If you’re a minority, you’ll definitely want to look into the The Gates Scholarship. Here’s what you need to know about its history, how you can apply, and more. What is The Gates Scholarship? The Gates Scholarship is a “highly selective, last-dollar scholarship for outstanding, minority, high school seniors from …
Scholarship application form surrounded by pens and notebooks.
scholarship search & applications

7 Common Scholarship Information Requirements

By Hilary CairnsLast updated on November 26, 2024
Common scholarship requirements include your basic contact information, proof of high school graduation, academic achievements, extracurricular activities, financial details, and more. Every scholarship is different, from who it is for to the amount awarded. And while award applications can be similar, organizations will often have different scholarship requirements you’ll need to meet to apply. Before …
NFTS.
financial advice & planning

Should I Invest in NFTs to Pay for College?

By Hilary CairnsLast updated on December 22, 2022
You may have heard of the recent financial advice that recommends you invest in NFTs to help you pay for college. However, it’s important to know what exactly an NFT is and your options before making a decision. What are NFTs and How do They Work? An NFT, or a non-fungible token, is a virtual …

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