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.
careers & internships, majors & industries

10 Least Common Majors

By Hilary CairnsLast updated on July 14, 2025
Key Takeaways: Precision Production, Library Science, Military Technologies, and Theology are among the least common majors. Some majors are uncommon due to limited career demand, niche interest areas, and limited access to specialized equipment or resources. Students shouldn’t automatically ignore uncommon majors, but instead consider their long-term goals, passions, and career potential. Some the most …
majors & industries

Tips for Students Who are Undecided on Their Major

By Hilary CairnsPublished on September 13, 2023
As you’re getting ready to graduate high school, the number one question you’re going to hear is, “So, what college are you going to go to?” That one will be quickly followed by, “What are you going to major in?” If you don’t have an answer to that second question, you’re not alone – and …
Infographic with tips to go to college debt free.
questions & answers

How To Go to College Debt Free (Or with Less Debt)

By Hilary CairnsLast updated on December 15, 2023
No one wants to graduate college under a mountain of student loan debt that needs to be repaid. And as a result, some students are actually forgoing the college experience all together in order to save their future finances. While sometimes it is unavoidable if you want to go to a particular college or study a …
liberal arts students standing around a desk looking at a computer for a project
questions & answers

Using ChatGPT as a tool – An Emerging Skill

By Hilary CairnsPublished on September 11, 2023
ChatGPT has been banned from many schools due to its ability to make cheating easier than ever. Students simply put in a prompt and the tool returns a full essay, completed math equations, and other finished school work.  While using ChatGPT can result in plagiarism and students simply not learning the lessons, there are upsides …
careers & internships

Internships and Other Cool Opportunities at Apple

By Hilary CairnsPublished on September 8, 2023
Have you ever dreamed of working at a tech giant like Apple after your college graduation? Well, you might not have to wait! Apple actually offers a few different internships and other opportunities for students looking to get a head start on their career. While some of their positions do require you to live in …
college search

Your 3 City Guide to CollegeFest

By Hilary CairnsPublished on September 8, 2023
Does your city have a CollegeFest? Three major cities – Rochester, NY, Philadelphia, PA, and Boston, MA – have their own CollegeFests available for their students, but each one is very different! We outlined what you can expect at these events and why you should definitely plan to go to your city’s CollegeFest this year. …
Three students are sitting on their desk chair.
ACT & SAT

What is the ACT to SAT Conversion?

By Hilary CairnsPublished on September 5, 2023
When applying to colleges or scholarships, you might see some require you to have specific or minimum ACT or SAT scores to be accepted or eligible to apply. Understanding how the scores compare to one another – or convert – will help you determine the best test for you and your chances of being accepted …
financial aid

States that Offer Programs for Free or Reduced Cost Community College

By Hilary CairnsLast updated on October 21, 2025
Key Takeaways: Most states have free community college programs or offer scholarships that reduce the cost. Eligibility requirements and award amounts vary depending on the program, student’s financial need, and other factors. If you don’t qualify for your state’s tuition waivers or grants, complete the FAFSA and apply for scholarships. Did you know that several …
college search

Colleges in Alaska and Why You Should Go to School There

By Hilary CairnsPublished on August 28, 2023
Alaska may not be on your radar just yet when it comes to searching for colleges, but it should be – especially if you enjoy the outdoors and don’t mind the cold! This unique state has plenty to offer adventurous students, and by attending a school in one of the state’s cities, like Anchorage, you …

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