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.
An astronaut floating in space.
scholarships

Scholarships Inspired by Science Fiction

By Hilary CairnsLast updated on December 22, 2022
Are you a fan of science fiction? Whether you love to watch Star Trek, write your own sci-fi stories, or just love reading or watching the genre, you’ll definitely want to check out these scholarships inspired by science fiction. The Heinlein and Virginia Heinlein Memorial Scholarships Amount: $2,500 Deadline: April 1, 2020 The Heinlein Society …
A college interview can be very stressful, so knowing what to expect ahead of time can a lot
questions & answers

What Happens During a College Interview?

By Hilary CairnsLast updated on December 22, 2022
While a majority of colleges don’t request an interview, some schools do make it part of the application process—even if it’s optional, leaving it out could hurt your chances. Knowing what to expect ahead of time can make a college interview a bit less stressful. The Basics of a College Interview There are few colleges …
scholarships

5 Fun and Unique Scholarships

By Hilary CairnsLast updated on October 10, 2023
There are a lot of different kinds of scholarships and scholarship applications. When it comes to applying for scholarships, you may assume that most applications consist of an essay question and response. If you’re looking for something a little different or a break from essay scholarships, we’ve rounded up five fun scholarships to keep your …
Create your college preparation checklist in the spring of your junior year.
college admissions

How to Create a Seasonal College Prep Schedule

By Hilary CairnsLast updated on December 22, 2022
Creating a college preparation checklist and schedule is a great way to ensure you’re getting everything done on time. Here are some things you should be scheduling every season starting with the spring of your junior year of high school. Spring – Junior Year Your junior year is actually when you should start getting a …
Here are some questions to ask on your campus tours
college search

8 Cardinal Questions to Ask on Your College Campus Tours

By Hilary CairnsLast updated on May 28, 2024
It’s perfectly normal to get the jitters if you’re embarking on your first of many college campus tours. It’s a lot to take in, and you’re in the process of making some big decisions that will help you shape your future. Whether you’re visiting before you submit applications or after you’ve been accepted, part of …
A student holding a phone while looking off to the side.
scholarships

Scholarships for Students Who Volunteer

By Hilary CairnsLast updated on December 22, 2022
Do you spend your free time after school, and maybe even your weekends, volunteering? You may not get any money from the work, but you may qualify for a scholarship awarded to those who volunteer and better their community. AXA Achievement Scholarship Amount: $2,500–$10,000—$25,000 Deadline: TBD for 2021 (Opens in Fall) In total, the AXA …
Four rocks stacked on top of each other on a table outside.
college applications

How to Balance College Prep with High School

By Hilary CairnsLast updated on December 22, 2022
Senior year of high school is no doubt a stressor for many. Between classes, college search, college applications, scholarship applications, extracurricular activities, financial aid, homework, test prep for the ACT or SAT, and maybe even work, it’s a lot on a student’s plate! Here are some ways you can de-stress and balance your final year of …

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