Hilary Cairns

Hilary Cairns is a graduate of SUNY New Paltz and has a BA in English/Creative Writing. She's an established freelance writer who also has a hand in marketing, social media, and editing for various businesses across the United States.
Visit a college during winter break
questions & answers

10 Winter Break Camps for High School Students

By Hilary CairnsPublished on January 13, 2025
Winter break camps are an excellent way for high school students to stay active during and after the holidays! Even busy high school seniors can reap benefits of these unique opportunities. Below, we explain what a winter break camp is, their benefits, and give a few examples of camps you might want to check out. …
Iridescent - Technovation Challenge promotes computer science.
careers & internships, majors & industries

A Guide to What Computer Engineers Do

By Hilary CairnsPublished on January 10, 2025
Computer engineers work with computer hardware, software, artificial intelligence (AI), networks, and more. They often have degrees in Electrical and Computer Engineering, Computer Engineering, Computer Science and Engineering, or Computer Science, depending on the college they attended. Here’s a rundown of what college engineers do, how you can become one, and some top schools you …
Should you use the Universal College Application?
college applications

Schools With Early Action

By Hilary CairnsPublished on December 19, 2024
Early Action is a great way to apply to colleges you’re sincerely interested in and to get applications out of the way. Applications are usually due on November 1 and 15, but this isn’t a hard and fast rule. In this article, we’ve created a master list of schools with Early Action application cycles so …
college comparisons, college search

What Are the T20 Schools in the US?

By Hilary CairnsLast updated on December 17, 2024
The phrase “T20 schools” refers to the top 20 colleges and universities in the United States. The exact list that makes the top 20 depends on the ranking system and website, but common T20 examples include Harvard University, Princeton University, and Yale University. Below, we highlight what you need to know about T20 schools, College …
college search

20+ Awesome Colleges for Ski Bums and Snowboarders

By Hilary CairnsLast updated on December 11, 2024
Can’t get enough of the snow? Love skiing, snowboarding, and tubing? Whether you live in Florida away from the cold or you hate to leave your nearby ski resort, college presents the perfect opportunity to advance your education and keep up with your favorite hobbies during your downtime. Here are colleges within an hour of …
Read the fine print! Here's what you need to know about the Stafford Loan.
financial aid

What Happens If You Can’t Afford Your Early Decision School?

By Hilary CairnsPublished on December 9, 2024
If you were accepted to, but can’t afford, your Early Decision school, you’re not obligated to attend. It’s one of the few reasons why colleges and universities release accepted students from the “binding” agreement. Below, we review everything you need to know about Early Decision applications and what your options are if you don’t receive …
college admissions

Early Decision Colleges

By Hilary CairnsLast updated on December 6, 2024
Early Decision allows students to apply earlier to their dream colleges. However, if you’re accepted, you’re expected to attend the school the following fall. We’ve compiled a list of over 200 colleges and universities in the United States that offer Early Decision to their applicants. Here’s a review of what you can expect. What Is …

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Join thousands of students and parents learning about finding the right college, admissions secrets, scholarships, financial aid, and more.