College Raptor Staff

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!
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financial aid

What Are Financial Aid Refunds?

By College Raptor StaffLast updated on February 26, 2025
Financial aid refunds are refunds that are given to students when the amount of loan given to a student is more than what the student needs for the cost of education. Here’s how it works. The FAFSA and Financial Aid Packages After you submit your FAFSA, you will receive a financial aid award letter. This …
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college applications

7 of the Weirdest College Admission Essays

By College Raptor StaffLast updated on November 25, 2025
Key takeaways Weird essays can help you stand out. Admissions officers receive hundreds of essays, and having a unique twist could help make yours catch their eye. To help engage the readers, embrace your quirks, show what makes you unique, and let your personality shine. Be creative, it’s a quality that extends far beyond writing. …
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majors & industries

What Can You Do With A Degree In Marketing?

By College Raptor StaffLast updated on December 22, 2022
A degree in marketing can open doors to a wide array of exciting careers in almost every industry, from food manufacturing to information technology. Whether your strength lies in sales and marketing, brand management, or public relations, you will have plenty of options to choose from with a marketing degree. Regardless of the exact path …
Should you consider sending your student to an alternative high school?
questions & answers

What Is An Alternative (Or Non-Traditional) High School?

By College Raptor StaffLast updated on December 22, 2022
Alternative, or non-traditional, high schools are special schools. They provide a learning experience completely different from those provided by traditional means. This is a rather broad explanation, however. Within this definition, there can be significant variations from one school to another. There is no one thing that differentiates alternative schools from traditional schools. Some may …
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ACT & SAT

What Is A SAT Subject Test And Should You Take It?

By College Raptor StaffLast updated on December 22, 2022
All students know about the importance of taking the SAT test for college applications but not many know about SAT subject tests and others mistakenly use the term interchangeably with SAT tests. The two are not the same. SAT subject tests are distinctly different from SAT tests. What is a Subject Test? An SAT subject …
When are you supposed to declare a major?
college majors & minors

When Do You Declare A Major?

By College Raptor StaffLast updated on December 22, 2022
As a general rule, students are expected to be declaring a major by the end of their 3rd or 4th semester. Every college has their own rules and guidelines on when and how students are required to declare a major. It is important not to presume anything. You must find out about your college’s rules so …

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