financial advice & planning

Do You Really Need A Credit Card?

By College Raptor StaffLast updated on January 24, 2023

Frustrating as it may sound, the answer to ‘do you really need a credit card’ is – it depends. That’s true. Whether you really need a credit card depends on a number of factors, primarily your financial goals and your spending habits. There’s no doubt a credit card offers some powerful benefits, from helping finance …

financial advice & planning, questions & answers

What Does the Student Loan Repayment Extension Mean for You?

By College Raptor StaffLast updated on February 25, 2025

If you’ve got federal student loans and are following the latest updates, you’ve definitely heard about the latest student loan repayment extension. On December 21, 2021, President Biden announced that the student loan repayment pause would be extended from January 31, 2022 to May 1, 2022. The additional 90 days of no payments has students …

college admissions, college applications

85 Extracurricular Activities for College Applications

By College Raptor StaffLast updated on August 1, 2024

Extracurriculars look great on college applications, but do colleges look for certain clubs or activities when you apply? The answer is yes and no! What you do during the club or activity is more important than the activity itself in some cases. Here’s a list of 7 extracurricular activities for college applications. It’s no secret …

college search, student life

Cold weather colleges: 10 awesome picks for skiing and winter fun

By College Raptor StaffLast updated on November 20, 2025

Key takeaways Some of the best colleges for skiing and winter fun include Michigan Technological University, the University of Denver, and Dartmouth College. Cold-weather campuses come with built-in perks, like nearby slopes, snow festivals, and thriving outdoor clubs. Whether you like small towns or big cities, there’s a perfect snowy fit for every student. Schools …

college admissions, college applications

Early Decision II – What to Expect

By College Raptor StaffLast updated on February 13, 2024

Are you considering applying under Early Decision II? Or did you already send in your application and want to know what to expect now? We’ll run through the basics of this college application method and what you need to know for the coming weeks. Early Decision II is binding. Early Decision II follows the same …

college admissions, college applications

When Do College Acceptance Letters Arrive?

By College Raptor StaffLast updated on July 29, 2025

Once you’ve applied to colleges, the waiting game begins – waiting to hear back whether you’ve been accepted. For most students, college acceptance letters arrive in early spring, from mid-March to late April. However, students who applied through Early Action or Early Decision might hear back sooner. The exact date depends on when you applied …

hidden gems 2022

Hidden Gem Colleges With More Out-of-State-Students | 2022 Rankings

By College Raptor StaffLast updated on December 21, 2022

Most of the time, a majority of a college’s student-body comes from the state where the school is located. However, that’s not always the case. In fact, sometimes there are more out-of-state students than in-state students! This list highlights Hidden Gem schools where more students come from outside the state. If 51% or higher of …

hidden gems 2022

Hidden Gem Colleges for Healthcare Majors | 2022 Rankings

By College Raptor StaffLast updated on December 21, 2022

Those working in healthcare fields are true heroes in the best of times. During the pandemic, however, they are true beacons of hope, health, and compassion. We wanted to salute our brave and dedicated healthcare workers and cheer on those studying to join them. This Hidden Gem list features the best colleges for healthcare majors. …

hidden gems 2022

Hidden Gem Colleges That Don’t Require Test Scores | 2022 Rankings

By College Raptor StaffLast updated on December 21, 2022

There is an ongoing trend of more colleges dropping their ACT / SAT requirements. Though the decline started before the pandemic, the COVID-19 challenges have caused more schools to go test-optional. These colleges prefer a more holistic approach to reviewing the college applications of potential students. All that said, we wanted to highlight some colleges …