Hilary Cairns, Author at College Raptor

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.

What are the differences between an online MBA program vs traditional program?

college search

Best accredited online MBA programs

By Hilary CairnsPublished on March 3, 2026

Key takeaways: An MBA, or Master’s of Business Administration is a graduate degree that typically takes full-time students one to two years to complete. Graduates taking online programs can balance school, life, and family, as classes can be taken on their schedule. Some of the best accredited online MBA programs come from Indiana University-Bloomington, Babson …

Harvard Law building, set of Legally Blonde and other college movies

college comparisons

Most prestigious Law schools

By Hilary CairnsPublished on February 4, 2026

Key takeaways: Some of the most prestigious Law schools include Harvard, Georgetown, Yale, and Fordham. Harvard and Yale’s incoming Law students had a median 174 LSAT and 3.96 GPA. To improve your admission chances, craft a well-rounded application, tell a story, prepare for an interview, and choose your undergraduate major wisely. Harvard University, Yale University, …

30 year old adult college students listening in a class lecture.

college majors & minors, college search

How to start grad school after a long break from undergrad

By Hilary CairnsPublished on January 12, 2026

Key takeaways Students going back to graduate school after a long break from undergrad may feel overwhelmed and underprepared when re-entering the classroom. However, older graduates have work and life experience that can give them an edge over other students. To prepare for grad school, research programs that match your goals and schedule requirements and …

Many people lose out on student loan forgiveness because they assume they don't qualify

scholarships

What are ROTC scholarships?

By Hilary CairnsPublished on January 12, 2026

Key takeaways: ROTC scholarships are offered by the US Army, Air Force, and Navy at participating colleges and universities. Participants receive monetary awards to cover tuition, fees, room and board, and/or other education related expenses. ROTC graduates must serve as an officer in the military branch for a set period of time and meet other …

ACT & SAT

What calculators are allowed on the ACT?

By Hilary CairnsPublished on January 7, 2026

Key takeaways: All math questions on the ACT can be solved without a calculator, but some are tedious and complicated. You are allowed to bring 4-function, graphing, and scientific calculators to the ACT, or you can use the built-in calculator for the online exam at testing centers. You are not allowed to use calculators with …

Some students may not try to get a college degree.

college search, questions & answers

Associate’s degree vs. bachelor’s degree: uncovering the differences

By Hilary CairnsPublished on January 7, 2026

Key takeaways: An associate’s is a 2-year undergraduate degree usually awarded by community colleges. Bachelor’s degrees take 4 years on average and most often come from 4-year colleges and universities. Both degrees can open the door to more education and career opportunities, but there are typically more options and higher salary potential with a bachelor’s …

college comparisons, questions & answers

What are vocational schools?

By Hilary CairnsPublished on January 7, 2026

Key takeaways: Vocational schools are postsecondary trade or technical institutions that award certificates, diplomas, or associate’s degrees. Programs last between a few months to two years, and classes focus on career-specific hands-on learning. Common programs include animal care, cosmetology, culinary arts, machinery, and HVAC. Vocational schools are postsecondary institutions that prepare students for careers in …

Harvard University - Best Research Universities

questions & answers

Harvard College vs. Harvard University

By Hilary CairnsPublished on November 25, 2025

Key takeaways: Harvard University is a top ranked institution in Cambridge, Massachusetts, dating back to 1636. Undergraduates attend Harvard College, one of the 13 schools that make up Harvard University. Harvard is extremely selective, with an undergraduate acceptance rate of 3.7% You might use “Harvard College” and “Harvard University” interchangeably, but they’re actually slightly different. …

questions & answers

What are the Black Ivy League schools?

By Hilary CairnsPublished on November 21, 2025

Key takeaways: Black Ivy League schools are acclaimed HBCUs that are highly selective and offer outstanding academic programs to their students. There is no official list of Black Ivy institutions as there is with the Ivy Leagues. Spelman College, Morehouse College, and Hampton University are a few examples of schools often referred to as Black …

Hilary Cairns

Subscribe to Our Newsletter