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.
questions & answers

Important Bachelor’s Degree Requirements

By Hilary CairnsPublished on April 5, 2024
If you’re earning your bachelor’s degree, you’re going to have to meet certain requirements. Bachelor degree requirements usually include a minimum GPA in your classes as well as a mix of general education, major, and elective courses that add up to at least 120 credits. Here’s a quick rundown of what you need to know …
college admissions

A Complete Guide to AP Exams

By Hilary CairnsPublished on April 5, 2024
So you’ve signed up for an Advanced Placement (AP) class. At the end of your school year, you’ll be tasked with taking an AP exam. Doing well on this test can help you get credit for your college education and give you a head start on your degree. Use this complete guide to AP exams …
college admissions

When Do AP Exam Scores Come Out?

By Hilary CairnsLast updated on April 5, 2024
AP tests are regularly scheduled over a 2 week period in May. Students can expect to see their AP exam scores early to mid July. Testers can view results through the My AP Account on the College Board. Students who don’t see their test results by September 1st should contact the AP services for students. …
A person holding a blue pencil writing in a notebook.
college admissions

How Long Are AP Exams?

By Hilary CairnsLast updated on April 5, 2024
Most AP exams are between two and three hours long, but the exact length of the test depends on the subject. Many of the tests are closer to three hours than two, and every AP exam has a break in the middle. Here’s what you need to know about the length of AP exams, their …
Student studying to earn college credits in high school.
college admissions

Can You Retake an AP Exam?

By Hilary CairnsLast updated on April 5, 2024
Yes, you can retake an AP exam. However, AP exams are only held in May, which means you will have to wait a year to retake the test. But should you? Here are some things you need to know about AP test scores, college credit, and retaking the exam. How are AP Exams Scored? AP …
Here's some advice to those getting their online masters degree in education
tips tools & advice

A Guide to Coursera

By Hilary CairnsPublished on March 29, 2024
From Khan Academy to Udemy, there are plenty of online resources for learning. One that should be on your radar is Coursera. It’s a website that offers online courses on a wide range of subjects. Here’s what you can expect when using the tool. What is Coursera? Coursera is an online marketplace for virtual courses …
majors & industries

10 Hardest College Majors

By Hilary CairnsPublished on March 29, 2024
Choosing a major is a big decision! It can impact your career choices in the years to come, and careful consideration should be given to this selection. And when it comes to majors, some are generally deemed harder than others. When choosing your ideal major, you should give careful consideration to your own strengths and …
Austin Community College
college search

What is Community College?

By Hilary CairnsPublished on March 22, 2024
Community colleges are institutions of higher learning that offer associate’s degrees and technical certificates. Some community colleges offer bachelor’s degrees in select subjects. They tend to be less expensive compared to 4-year institutions and can help students save thousands of dollars in tuition and fees. Here’s a rundown of what you can expect at a …
Hoover Tower in Stanford University campus aerial shot.
college search

Why is Stanford University a Top Rated School?

By Hilary CairnsPublished on March 14, 2024
Each year in the summer, College Raptor releases rankings for the top 50 colleges in the United States. For 2024, Stanford University was ranked #6! But what makes Stanford such a great school and why do students want to go there? Keep reading to learn more about the school, why we ranked it so high, …