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.
affordability & college cost, questions & answers

Understanding Dual Enrollment and the Benefits for Students

By Hilary CairnsLast updated on March 14, 2025
Dual enrollment means that a student is taking college courses and earning college-level credits while still in high school. These programs allow students to get a head start on higher education, focus on academic rigor, and potentially save thousands in the long run. Here’s a look at dual enrollment, eligibility requirements, course options, and more …
A student holding a pen to a notebook, studying.
ACT & SAT

From Practice to Perfect: PSAT to SAT Conversion

By Hilary CairnsPublished on March 7, 2025
The PSAT can help you prepare for the SAT, as it’s often seen as the “practice” SAT (though it really stands for Preliminary SAT). While it’s not a perfect 1:1 ratio, you can convert your PSAT score to an SAT score to see how you would have done if you took the real deal SAT. …
Student frustrated with math formulas
college admissions

How Colleges Test IQ and Measure Intelligence

By Hilary CairnsPublished on February 27, 2025
Many colleges request SAT or ACT scores from applicants during their admission processes, but what about IQ? While an IQ test can give you information about your potential, colleges and universities don’t often ask for your results or test your IQ should you attend. Below, we provided an overview of IQ, what it means for …
college search

10 Schools with Some of the Best Pre-Med Programs

By Hilary CairnsPublished on February 24, 2025
Do you dream of becoming a doctor? After you graduate high school, it’s a process that can take an additional 11 years of education, starting with four years in college to earn your bachelor’s degree. Attending one of the schools with the best pre-med programs, including Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences (MCPHS), the …
LSAT is an acronym for the Law School Admissions Test.
college admissions

Preparing for the LSAT with Example Questions

By Hilary CairnsPublished on February 5, 2025
In order to ace the LSAT, you’re going to need to practice taking the exam. It’s not like other tests where you can study and memorize material. The LSAT tests your comprehension and reading skills, so you’re going to have to become comfortable with the types of questions. Use these sources and LSAT example questions …
What are the available accommodations for the SAT and ACT?
college applications, questions & answers

Accommodations for Students and How to Get Them

By Hilary CairnsPublished on February 5, 2025
All colleges and universities in the United States offer accommodations to students with disabilities. They can vary from advanced course selection to additional time on exams, depending on the individual’s needs. Some conditions that qualify for accommodations include learning disabilities, blindness, hard of hearing, and chronic medical conditions. You can learn more about accommodations at …
Visit a college during winter break
questions & answers

10 Winter Break Camps for High School Students

By Hilary CairnsPublished on January 13, 2025
Winter break camps are an excellent way for high school students to stay active during and after the holidays! Even busy high school seniors can reap benefits of these unique opportunities. Below, we explain what a winter break camp is, their benefits, and give a few examples of camps you might want to check out. …

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