myths

Myth: Attending a Private High School Will Increase My College Acceptance Odds

By Ellen AndersenLast updated on December 22, 2022

There are pros and cons of attending a private high school over a public one. However, increasing your college acceptance rate is not necessarily a factor these days. Let’s talk about why. What do colleges look for? Colleges look at a few key things in applications, largely your GPA, your standardized test scores, your experience, …

myths

Myth: The Topic of My College Application Essay Doesn’t Matter so Long as it’s Well-Written

By Allison WignallLast updated on December 22, 2022

When applying for a college, standing out among the rest of the applicants is pretty important. Some people will do just about anything in order to make an impact on the admissions officers—and not always in a good way. Some people fabricate outlandish stories in their application essay in order to seem amazing, others drop …

questions & answers

What if My School Doesn’t Have Class Rank?

By Allison WignallLast updated on December 22, 2022

When searching for colleges and filling out applications, you’re likely to find a list of things you should include in every application: GPA, of course, ACT/SAT test scores, a list of extracurriculars, an essay, maybe a letter of recommendation, and your class rank. But what if you don’t have a class ranking system? Does that …

college applications

The College Search Process for Military Families

By Ellen AndersenLast updated on November 28, 2023

Searching for colleges and universities can be a hard enough process for students who have lived the majority of their lives in their high school’s town. For those students with family members who had to move constantly, the process is even more difficult. However, the adversity of having a parent (or parents) in the armed …

college applications

How to Choose a College Application Essay Topic

By Tom JagerLast updated on December 22, 2022

A special time comes along with the fall of your senior year. Most of your written papers and other projects are completed and students are getting ready for some major work that will determine their future in college. Colleges end up rejecting many of those students because of the application essay topic they pick due …

questions & answers

Do Colleges Know What Other Schools I’ve Applied To?

By Allison WignallLast updated on December 22, 2022

You might apply to many, but in the end, you only pick one. Students have many concerns as to what might hurt or help their chances of being accepted. One such concern is: do colleges know what other schools you applied to? Do colleges know? For the most part, the answer to this question is: …

college admissions

So You Didn’t Get Into Your First Choice of College: Now What?

By Allison WignallLast updated on December 22, 2022

A lot of time, effort, dedication, and hope is put into the college search process, especially your first choice college. With essays, college visits, long research sessions, and applications, sending it all off can be a big moment. And then comes the waiting. Opening that letter can be nerve-wracking for sure. So what happens if you …

college applications

Submitting an Early Action Application: Early Decision vs. Early Action

By Hilary CairnsLast updated on September 16, 2024

Key Takeaways: Early Decision is a binding early application cycle. Early Action is also an early application cycle, but is not binding and students can generally wait until May 1 to make their decision. Both ED and EA are due Nov 1 or 15, but applicants should confirm by visiting the Colleges’ website. Early decision and early …

questions & answers

What are College Writing Centers?

By Rose ScottLast updated on December 22, 2022

If you think that college writing centers are only for those who dream of becoming the next romantic William Shakespeare or horrifying Stephen King, you are on the wrong track. A college student’s journey entails a lot of writing tasks, whether it is a lab report, research paper, or essay. Having a friend or classmate …

questions & answers

What Are College Electives and Why are They Important?

By College Raptor StaffLast updated on October 23, 2023

When selecting your college courses, you will typically have three categories to choose from. The first is general education requirements, which all students are required to take. The second is courses required for specific majors. Under this category, you’ll choose from courses that are relevant to the specific major you’re pursuing. The third is electives, …