College Raptor Staff, Author at College Raptor

Applying to college can be challenging, and so we at College Raptor feel it's our duty to make that process as easy, smooth, and rewarding as possible. We work hard to clarify dense material, dispel myths, uncover information, and help you learn what you need to know!

Picture of 2026 Q2 Terry Nguyen - Scholarship Winner

Connecting With $1,000 Scholarship Winner, Terry N.

By College Raptor StaffPublished on October 21, 2026

$1,000 scholarship winner Terry is an engineering student and ROTC member on his campus. His strong work ethic and drive carried into his college search where he used College Raptor to explore options, learn more about potential schools, and utilized our free tools to support him along the way. College Raptor: What College Raptor tool …

questions & answers

Senior superlatives: Ideas, tips, and everything you need to know

By College Raptor StaffPublished on October 19, 2026

Key takeaways Senior superlatives are fun awards given to graduating seniors that celebrate their unique personalities, talents, and memorable traits. They’re a tradition in high school yearbooks and have been part of senior year celebrations for decades. Categories range from classic titles like “Most Likely to Succeed” to fresh, creative ideas that reflect your class’s …

College Raptor Helped Amen Build a Strong Foundation for His Future

By College Raptor StaffPublished on October 19, 2026

$2,500 scholarship winner Amen Martin Obanor has always been captivated by robotics and the possibilities of STEM. Movies and pop culture, including characters like Baymax and WALL-E, helped spark his interest in what robots can do and how engineering can be used to make people’s lives better. He knew his next step was to pursue …

student looking online for state college grants.

tips tools & advice

Life hacks for busy students

By College Raptor StaffPublished on October 5, 2026

Key takeaways A life hack is a simple tip that can make an everyday task easier. Life hacks can help busy students save time and stress less. Small changes to your daily routine can make your responsibilities more manageable. Cooking meals in batches, making use of free time between classes, and packing your backpack the …

Here are 7 in-demand psychology degree jobs you can explore.

majors & industries

Psychology vs. psychiatry: What is the difference?

By College Raptor StaffPublished on September 22, 2026

Key takeaways Psychiatrists are medical doctors who may treat mental illness with medicine, while Psychologists focus on behavior and emotions using talk therapy instead of medicine. Future psychiatrists go to medical school. Future psychologists earn a doctoral degree in clinical or counseling psychology. Psychiatrists can prescribe medicine, like mood stabilizers. Psychologists do not prescribe medicine. …

college admissions, questions & answers

What is academic performance index (API)?

By College Raptor StaffPublished on September 18, 2026

Key takeaways The academic performance index (API) was California’s main method for measuring school performance from 1999 to 2013. API scores ranged from 200 to 1,000, with 800 being the state’s target for every school. The California School Dashboard officially replaced API in 2017, using multiple measures instead of a single score. The term “academic …

College Raptor Announces 2027 College Rankings

By College Raptor StaffLast updated on September 11, 2026

College Raptor’s twelfth annual college rankings focus on colleges with the highest long-term value Every parent wants to help their child choose a college that will be worth the investment. The challenge is knowing which schools are most likely to deliver. Citizens is helping families answer that question through College Raptor, it’s college planning platform, …

Cellphone with a dictionary app sitting on top of a physical dictionary.

ACT & SAT

Must-know digital SAT vocabulary words for 2026

By College Raptor StaffPublished on August 20, 2026

Key takeaways The 2026 digital SAT tests vocabulary in context and a strong SAT vocab list gives you a real edge in the reading section. The most tested SAT words appear in passages where you need to figure out meaning from surrounding clues. Learning word roots and prefixes may help you decode unfamiliar words on …

tips tools & advice

2-minute speech topics for students

By College Raptor StaffPublished on August 20, 2026

Key takeaways A 2-minute speech is usually 250-300 words, spoken at a conversational pace, focused on one clear message. Informative speeches are meant to educate, not argue or persuade. Stick to facts. In 2026, elevator pitch-style presentations are becoming more common in classrooms. Need a topic for a speech? You’re in the right place. Picking …

College Raptor Staff

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