college admissions, college applications

Universal Application Deadline: January 1

By Hilary CairnsLast updated on December 22, 2022

Have you applied to your colleges yet? The due date is just around the corner! Here’s what you need to know about the upcoming universal application deadline. When is the Universal Application Deadline? Many colleges have their regular decision application due date on January 1st. While this is extremely common, it is not a hard …

college applications

What You Need To Know About College Application Fees

By Hilary CairnsLast updated on September 5, 2024

Key Takeaways: The average undergraduate college application fee is about $47, but fees vary by college. College application fees range from $0 – $500, but most cost within the $30-$90 range. In addition to the application fee itself, you may incur other application related expenses like test registration costs (AP, SAT/ACT), fees for pulling transcripts, …

college applications

How Big Should My College List Be?

By Hilary CairnsLast updated on December 22, 2022

It’s a good idea to apply to more than one college during your senior year of high school, but should you stop at 2? What’s the recommended amount of colleges you should apply to? And how do you narrow down a larger list? If you find yourself asking the question “how big should my college …

college applications

Can You Apply for Early Action/Early Decision for Multiple Schools?

By Hilary CairnsLast updated on December 22, 2022

Did you know you can apply to college early? There are two main methods: Early Action and Early Decision. You may be wondering if you can apply early action or early decision for multiple schools. First, it helps to understand the differences between the two before you send off these applications. What is Early Decision? …

college applications

The Benefits of Volunteering During the College Search Process

By Hilary CairnsLast updated on December 22, 2022

Did you know that volunteering in high school could give you plenty of advantages when applying to colleges? It, of course, will give you something to put on your resume, even after you graduate, but it could make an impact on your life sooner rather than later. Check out these three benefits of volunteering during …

college applications

Ivy League Admission Rates Hit Record Lows While Application Rates Rise

By Hilary CairnsLast updated on December 22, 2022

The past few years have seen new record lows when it comes to Ivy League admission rates. In 2018 for example, Harvard University was at 4.59%. Yale was the only school that year that didn’t see a record low. And in 2021, the rates for admission are even lower. Admission Rates Continue to Drop It’s …

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5 Free Online College Prep Courses

By College Raptor StaffLast updated on December 22, 2022

The thought of attending college can be tremendously exciting. However, it’s not without its challenges. College is nothing at all like high school. Taking a few college prep courses can help to make this transition smoother. Fortunately, you don’t have to pay for these. We’ve put together 5 online college prep classes that can help. …

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How to Prep for AP Courses Over the Summer

By Hilary CairnsLast updated on December 22, 2022

Are you starting any AP Courses this fall in high school? You definitely don’t want to wait for first day to get ready. Preparation needs to start over the summer to ensure a good grade and a smooth semester. Here are some tips for prepping for AP courses over the summer.  Complete Your Summer Assignments …

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Coalition Application Essay Prompts 2020-2021

By College Raptor StaffLast updated on December 22, 2022

The Coalition App is a centralized application system, much like the Common App. You use it to apply to multiple colleges at one time instead of submitting individual applications to each college. All students submitting their college application through the Coalition App are required to write and submit a personal essay. Let’s go over the …

college applications

How AP Scores Affect Your College Applications

By College Raptor StaffLast updated on December 22, 2022

AP classes are rigorous and challenging. As such, they’re great boosters for a college application. But how exactly do AP scores affect your college applications? What are the pros and cons? Let’s break it down together. How AP Scores Can Influence Your College Applications An AP class on your transcript tells the college that you’re …