Olivia Pittman

Olivia Pittman is a Research and Content specialist at College Raptor. All of those questions you've been thinking about while looking for a college? Olivia digs in and finds answers.
A domed building surrounded by text in circles.
questions & answers

How Do I Know if a College is a Good Fit?

By Olivia PittmanLast updated on December 22, 2022
There is a college out there for nearly everyone. The most important part of finding the right college is determining if a school is a good fit for you. A college that’s a good fit should have the following characteristics. 1. The college matches you academically You want to be challenged in college, but being …
Charts showing than in 1995 only 10% of students applied to 7 or more colleges, now 29% of students do so. What are your college acceptance chances?
myths

Myth: Applying to Fewer Colleges Boosts My Chances of Acceptance

By Olivia PittmanLast updated on December 22, 2022
Generally speaking, colleges don’t share admissions information with each other. The only way a college might figure out how many colleges you’re applying to is through your FAFSA, where you list each of the colleges you wish to receive a copy of your financial aid application. The number of colleges listed on a student’s FAFSA …
Harvard's net price is generally much lower than its sticker price, which means that for 90% of American families, Harvard may be more affordable than a state school -- afford colleges
questions & answers

How Do Students Afford Colleges Like Harvard or Stanford?

By Olivia PittmanLast updated on December 22, 2022
How Do Students Afford Colleges That Are Very Expensive? – College Raptor Q&A For the 2014-15 school year, the published costs of attendance at Harvard and Stanford are approximately $65,000 and $62,000, respectively. These numbers can easily be discouraging for those who want to afford colleges, especially for students from low-income families. Even students who …
Financial need is equal to Total Csot minus Estimated Family Contribution (EFC). How does the FAFSA work?
financial aid

Can I Get Financial Aid?

By Olivia PittmanLast updated on December 22, 2022
Over 80 percent of college students met some financial aid eligibility criteria and received financial assistance during the 2011-2012 school year. This means there is a good chance you can get financial aid. You may think that the only way to get financial aid is to be extremely smart or a stand-out athlete. But most …
Chart shows the differences at a number of colleges and universities in admission rate for students that apply regular decision versus those who apply early decision.
questions & answers

Should I Apply Early Decision to College?

By Olivia PittmanLast updated on December 22, 2022
Prepared students with a single first choice college may consider applying early decision. Early decision is binding–meaning if you apply and are accepted early decision to a college, you are expected to go there, with almost no exception. There are a lot of reasons students apply this way. Many believe it’s easier to be accepted …
A small selection of potential college major -- from engineering to literature
college majors & minors

How Do I Choose a College Major?

By Olivia PittmanLast updated on December 22, 2022
Choosing a college major can be a huge part of your overall college plan. Knowing what you want to study can narrow down the college search. Choosing a college major can be a huge part of your overall college plan, and knowing what you want to study can narrow down the college search. But with …

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