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.
Student taking an online test at home.
college admissions

A Guide to The High School Equivalency Test (HiSet)

By Hilary CairnsPublished on July 3, 2024
You’ve likely heard of the GED, but did you know you have another option when it comes to getting the equivalent of a high school diploma? The HiSET, or High School Equivalency Test, is an exam that can open the door to new opportunities, including higher education and careers that require a high school degree. …
college search

Your Guide to Military Colleges

By Hilary CairnsPublished on June 26, 2024
Military colleges are schools to help train students in various branches of the military. Students will receive an academic education while preparing them for their time in the service. Below, we’ve outlined what a military college is, listed some examples, and provided some information about applying to them. What is a Military College? Military colleges …
college comparisons

Best Forensic Science Colleges

By Hilary CairnsPublished on June 12, 2024
Following shows like CSI, forensic science has become a popular major among students in the past few decades. While a real life career in forensic science is vastly different from what appears on these shows, it can still be a very exciting and fulfilling career path. If you’re thinking about becoming a police officer, a …
Here's how to pick the right college for athletes
college admissions

NCSA: Connecting Student Athletes with College Coaches

By Hilary CairnsPublished on June 10, 2024
Next College Student Athlete (NCSA) is a recruiting platform that helps connect students with coaches. It can streamline the recruiting process and make it easier for students to understand their options as a student-athlete. If you’re thinking about continuing your favorite sport during your college years, here’s what you need to know about the NCSA, …
Students attending a college fair, asking themselves where should I go to college?
tips tools & advice

A Complete Guide to College Fairs

By Hilary CairnsPublished on June 4, 2024
While you can find almost all the information you need about a college right online these days, college fairs still have benefits to offer future students. In this guide, we’ll review exactly what college fairs are, where you can find them, the benefits of attending college fairs, and tips before you decide to attend one! …
Going on campus tours is an integral part of the college search process.
college search

A Complete Guide to Campus Tours

By Hilary CairnsPublished on May 29, 2024
Researching colleges online is essential to choosing which schools you want to apply to and attend. However, this is just a surface look at the college. If you really want to see a school and determine if it’s right for you, a campus tour is super helpful. This guide will help you understand what campus …
What should you do after you've chosen a college?
college search

10 of The Biggest Colleges in the US

By Hilary CairnsLast updated on May 17, 2024
Going to college is a dream of many graduating high school seniors, but choosing the right school can be a daunting task! A common question you’ll answer is “How large of a school do I want to attend?” There are drawbacks and upsides to attending some of the biggest colleges in the United States, and …
college admissions

College Decision Day 2024

By Hilary CairnsPublished on April 10, 2024
College Decision Day is usually May 1st, but a delayed Free Application for Federal Student Aid has delayed many financial aid letters. As a result, some colleges and universities are pushing back their Decision Days until May 15th or June 1st. If a student isn’t sure when they need to have their decision in by, …