tips tools & advice

College grades: What is “good” and do they matter?

By Hilary CairnsLast updated on February 26, 2026

Key takeaways The average college GPA is 3.15, but a “good” grade is subjective as long as you’re meeting your school’s academic standards. Grades still matter in college because they protect your academic standing, keep scholarships in place, qualify you for honors and campus roles, influence employers, affect graduate school chances, and help you stay …

College Raptor Announced Winners in the USITCC Business Analytics Competition

By Hilary CairnsLast updated on April 25, 2023

From March 30th – April 1st, 2023, College Raptor was a sponsor of the 5th annual U.S. Information Technology Collegiate Conference (USITCC) and played host to the Business Analytics competition portion of the conference. What is USITCC? USITCC is an annual conference that helps students showcase their IT skills, take part in IT-related competitions, and …

myths

Out of Date College Admissions Advice That No Longer Works

By Hilary CairnsPublished on April 25, 2023

Adults generally mean well when they give you advice on aspects of life. And a lot of their advice still holds true and should be taken to heart. However, there are some tidbits – like knocking on doors to get jobs – that are simply out of date or just plain wrong. And that holds …

college applications

Essay Guides: How to Combine College Essay Prompts

By Hilary CairnsPublished on April 21, 2023

When applying to colleges, many applications will follow the same formats: basic information, school details, high school transcripts, ACT/SAT scores, and, of course, the essay. If you have 8-10 colleges you’re applying to (or possibly more), that’s a lot of essays! It can be a daunting task and even cause you to apply to fewer …

scholarships

Your Quick Guide to the Rotary Scholarship

By Hilary CairnsPublished on April 20, 2023

Scholarships and grants don’t only come from schools – many organizations host their own programs to help students afford their college education. This includes Rotary! The global club offers awards, fellowships, and more for individuals in need of financial assistance. Keep reading to discover how you can apply for a Rotary scholarship, too. What is …

scholarships

4 Important Deadlines for Scholarship Applications

By Hilary CairnsPublished on April 13, 2023

You know when your college applications are due, but what about potential scholarships? These deadlines may not be as important as your college admissions, but they are essential if you want to try to make college a bit more affordable with a scholarship! Some will even cover your entire tuition if you’re lucky.  Taking note …

college applications

Essay Guide: What is a Community Essay?

By Hilary CairnsPublished on April 5, 2023

Does your college application have a question for the essay that looks like this: Tell us about a community you’re a part of? This is an open-ended question that stumps quite a few students! Some even think the question is asking about the community they’re in – such as their hometown – and don’t consider …

majors & industries

5 Majors Related to Video Games

By Hilary CairnsPublished on April 5, 2023

Love video games? You’re definitely not alone! But what if you could make a career out of that passion? It’s absolutely possible. There are plenty of video game majors and adjacent areas of study that can get you to design your own games in no time. Whether you want to open your own studio or …

careers & internships

How to Find the Best Career for You

By Hilary CairnsPublished on April 5, 2023

How to know what career is best for you is no easy task. There’s a lot to consider from your strengths and weaknesses to your passions, and some people don’t know what they want to do when they graduate high school. That’s perfectly okay! There’s time to figure it out –  many schools don’t need …