College Raptor Staff

Whether it's for the paycheck or the work experience, summer jobs are important
financial advice & planning

Tips For Finding A Summer Job

Whether you are looking for a summer job to earn some money that you can put towards your college tuition, or you are looking for some work experience or an insight into a career, these tips will help you find a summer job that meets your requirements. Start Your Search Early The single most important …
A purple background with "5" overlayed.
college search

5 Tips for Assessing & Comparing Your College Visits

The great thing about scheduling several college visits is that you get a first-hand look at the campuses beyond the glitzy brochures that only show you the best features of the campus. The downside of visiting several campuses is that after a while everything begins to look fuzzy. Was it the 1st college that had …
Most student loans will require a cosigner to be approved, but selecting the right cosigner is important
student loans

What Makes a Good Cosigner? 5 Important Qualities

A good cosigner for a student loan generally has good to great credit, a steady employment history, and sufficient income. In addition, most lenders will require that they be U.S. citizens or permanent residents. Depending on the type of student loan you take out, you may or may not need a cosigner. If you find …
Switching careers can be scary--but you can avoid these mistakes.
majors & industries

Majors and industries with the highest starting salaries

Key takeaways Majors and industries with the highest starting salaries tend to be rooted in engineering, but they also extend to areas like technology, healthcare, and finance. While starting salary is an important factor when choosing a major, it’s equally important to consider job satisfaction and personal interest. To land a high-paying entry-level career, start …
Here's our guide to internships that will help you understand internships better
careers & internships

The Ultimate Guide To Internships

Key Takeaway: Wondering if an internship is right for you? Internships are short-term commitments that give you valuable real-world experience and allow you to explore your interests and gain practical skills. Internships provide many benefits such as helping you figure out what you do (or do not) want to do, giving you experience for your …
Man and woman shaking hands during Penn State Fall Career Days Fair.
majors & industries

6 Potential Career Paths for Business Majors

Business is a common popular undergraduate major. A lot of different majors and interest areas fall under the umbrella of business, allowing for a diverse group of students to study it. Business doesn’t only mean contracts and negotiations—it means working together with others toward a common goal. Here are some jobs that business majors can …
A pink highlighter and check marks on a piece of paper.
college admissions

Your Summer-Before-College Prep Checklist

After weeks of waiting, you’ve received your college acceptance letter, decided where you are going to attend, and finally have a clear picture of where you are going to be studying. Now begins the next phase of preparing for a brand new journey as an independent college student. Summer is a great time to prepare …
After you graduate from college, you may have a student loan grace period before you start paying back your loans
student loans

What is a Student Loan Grace Period?

A student loan grace period is a set period of time before you must start repayments on your student loans. This grace period begins after you graduate, drop below half-time enrollment, or leave school and the time-frame can vary depending on the type of loan and the lender. Although you don’t have to make payments …

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