ACT & SAT

ACT/SAT Week Before Test Prep Schedule

By College Raptor StaffLast updated on January 22, 2025

You’re a week away from your ACT/SAT test and the countdown has begun. While you should have started your prep weeks ago for this exam, the next seven days are important, too. If you haven’t started studying, there’s still time to fit some practice in. Below, we’ve shared two schedules that help you prep for …

student loans

Why Private Student Loans Are A Last Resort for Paying for College

By College Raptor StaffLast updated on March 6, 2025

Private student loans are offered to students by banks, credit unions, and other private financial institutions. While many students take loans to pay for their college education, private student loans are a last resort. Why is that? Let’s answer those questions. Here’s what you need to know. The Downside Of Private Student Loans Private lenders …

ACT & SAT

How To Navigate The ACT Science Section

By College Raptor StaffLast updated on December 22, 2022

Knowing what to expect and understanding how the questions are structured in the ACT science section can help to make this test less stressful. The first thing you should know is that the science section of the ACT is unlike any other science test you’ve taken in high school. The ACT science section tests your …

2018 university rankings

Top 50 Best Colleges in the United States: 2018 Rankings

By College Raptor StaffLast updated on June 17, 2024

The Top 50 Best Colleges in the U.S. list is our most-selective and most prestigious. The schools in this category are the best of the best. We analyzed data on each school from thousands across the country and selected the best of the four-year colleges throughout the nation. This list includes schools of all sizes, …

financial aid, scholarships

Why You Have To Read Your Offer Letter Carefully

By College Raptor StaffLast updated on March 13, 2023

When you’re accepted to a college, if you’re eligible for financial aid, you likely will also receive an “offer letter” from the school. These pieces of paper are more important than many students and their families realize, and it should be a player in choosing your future school. Here’s what you need to know about …

financial aid

What You’ll Find in a College Offer Letter (It’s More Than Just Scholarships)

By College Raptor StaffLast updated on March 4, 2025

As part of the admission process, colleges send out offer letters to all applicants who they have accepted into their college. This college offer letter is usually sent a week or so after sending out the acceptance letters, but what does an offer letter include? Here’s what you’ll find in a college offer letter (hint: …

student loans

Student Loan Basics: What You Need To Know

By College Raptor StaffLast updated on February 25, 2025

While borrowing money to fund your college education may be unavoidable, there is a lot you can do to reduce the impact of the loan on your personal finances. It all starts with understanding the basics of student loans—the terms involved, the different types of loans, when and why you may need a co-signer, and …

college admissions

When do You Have to Accept a College Offer: Important Deadlines

By College Raptor StaffLast updated on March 27, 2025

Most future college students have to accept or decline a college’s offer of acceptance by May 1st, which is known as National College Decision Day. There are some exceptions, so it’s important to read all documents, emails, and literature that come from your school. As you start receiving acceptance letters, you may feel like you …

ACT & SAT

10 Helpful Websites For ACT Test Prep

By College Raptor StaffLast updated on November 5, 2024

Scoring well in the ACT can boost your chances of getting into the college of your choice. However, getting those much-needed high scores does not come easy. The ACT tests students in four main content areas – English, math, science, and reading. And, the test questions related to these areas can be quite challenging to answer. …