Ellen Andersen

Ellen is a guest blogger for College Raptor. She is a recent graduate of the University of Iowa. She holds a BA in English with Creative Writing and Psychology. Her current focus is applying to the Fulbright Scholar program.
school search
careers & internships

Deciding Who to Job Shadow

By Ellen AndersenLast updated on December 22, 2022
Job shadowing someone is a great way to learn information about careers you’re interested in. You likely have an intended career path or field, making some decisions easier than others. If you want to get into wedding photography. For example, you’re not going to follow a muralist or an HR head. But figuring out who …
Burch the Bear has an interesting history.
student life

College Mascots with Interesting Histories (Part Two)

By Ellen AndersenLast updated on December 22, 2022
College mascots are oftentimes the rallying symbol or figure of school spirit. Things are way more exciting with a mascot around—and these mascots have an interesting history behind them. Check out our first list! University of Iowa, Burch the Bear Nowadays, every Iowa fan knows Herky by name. Small children line up to have their …
A guy sleeping while wearing eye glasses with doodles on it.
myths

Myths You May Have Heard About Internships

By Ellen AndersenLast updated on December 22, 2022
Internships have become an almost vital part of modern job hunts. They are the experience we often need to get entry-level positions outside of retail or food service. Like many other topics in college, they are often surrounded by a series of common myths. So let’s get a few things straight. Myth #1: You can’t …
Joe Biden was a commencement speaker for Cornell University.
student life

The Celebrity Commencement Speakers for the Class of 2017

By Ellen AndersenLast updated on December 22, 2022
We are in the midst of graduation season. And, there are plenty of reasons seniors are happy about that. For many schools across the country, one of the graduates gives a short speech. At some universities, though, we hear words of wisdom (hopefully) from award-winning authors, famous actors, and political figures. Here are some highlights …
Two students standing together on grass.
scholarships

Scholarships for Students With Diabetes

By Ellen AndersenLast updated on December 22, 2022
Going to college while maintaining good health is difficult enough for students without life-long diseases. Managing insulin and blood sugar levels on campus, away from family members who know exactly what to do should anything go wrong, can sometimes be a trick and a half. Financial stress can add to the problem, what with rising …
Here are 6 federal student loan myths.
myths

6 Myths About Federal Student Loans

By Ellen AndersenLast updated on December 22, 2022
Taking on student loans is how many college students can afford to go to college. They are often part of financial aid packages from colleges and universities. These student loans can seem daunting, especially with student debt being the highest it’s ever been. But one of the best ways to make something less scary is …
A white brick apartment building against a blue sky.
scholarships

Scholarships for Architecture Majors

By Ellen AndersenLast updated on December 22, 2022
Walking into the world’s biggest cities, it is clear to see the impact of constantly evolving architecture. As we move forward in society, we continually discover better and more innovative ways to build things. The people who do that, those architects, have some pretty cool scholarships to help get them through school. A skilled architect …
There are pros and cons of taking summer classes that you should consider
tips tools & advice

Taking Summer Classes In College: A Complete Guide

By Ellen AndersenLast updated on March 1, 2023
Summer classes offer a long list of benefits, but it also means spending the summer indoors attending classes instead of having fun in the sun. Before choosing this option, check our complete guide to taking summer classes. Find out how long they are and a full list of pro’s and con’s. How Long Are College …