ACT & SAT

PSATS are Over – Now What?

By Hilary CairnsLast updated on December 22, 2022

Juniors: Congratulations on finishing up the PSATs! That’s behind you, but what do you do after the PSAT? We’ll cover a few exciting things to think about, and also give some tips for freshmen and sophomores who may be up for the PSATs next. You May Win a Scholarship You may just have thought of …

scholarships

Scholarships for Children of Military Veterans

By Hilary CairnsLast updated on November 28, 2023

Do you have a parent that was or is currently in the military? Are you in JROTC or ROTC? Scholarships for military children are plentiful! Here are just a few programs that you can start with. AFAS General Henry H. Arnold Education Grant Program Also known as the Hap Arnold Grant, the AFAS General Henry …

college search, student life

30 + Beautiful Beachside Colleges

By Hilary CairnsLast updated on December 6, 2024

Do you love spending time near the ocean? Want to attend a school with a coastal view? Want to head to the beach during your downtime? Thankfully, there are plenty of beachside colleges in the United States! In this list, we’ve included some beachside colleges that see warm weather year-round and others that get a …

questions & answers

Deadlines – How Important Are They?

By Hilary CairnsLast updated on December 22, 2022

No matter where you are in life, there are going to be deadlines. There are going to be due dates for your homework and projects, work obligations, taxes, driver’s licenses, and more. It’s vital to learn the importance of deadlines and sticking to them early on. Here are just a few consequences of constantly failing …

college search

What is a J-Term

By Hilary CairnsLast updated on December 9, 2024

J-Term is a period in January where students can take courses for credit, study abroad, participate in internships, or take a break. This unique term offers students unique classes like painting and mountain climbing, as well as traditional subjects like animal behavior and history. Some schools that offer J-Term include Oberlin College, Massachusetts Institute of …

tips tools & advice

It’s a New Year! What Are You Prioritizing?

By Hilary CairnsLast updated on January 20, 2026

Happy New Year! We hope you had an amazing start to 2022. If you haven’t yet, it’s time to start thinking about your New Year’s resolutions and what needs to go on your priority list. If you’re not sure where to begin, here are three ideas that can get you off on the right foot …

questions & answers

The Final Few Months to Graduation (Senior Checklist)

By Hilary CairnsLast updated on January 24, 2023

Your high school experience is nearly over, and you’re going to start college in the Fall – congratulations on all of your amazing achievements! But don’t stop thinking about your education even though you’ve completed your college applications and may have even heard back from a few schools. Follow our senior checklist of all the …

Chatting With $2,500 Scholarship Winner, Patrick Hillman

By Hilary CairnsLast updated on December 22, 2022

A big congratulations to College Raptor’s recent $2,500 scholarship winner: Patrick Hillman! We had a chat with him recently to learn more about his experience with his college search, what he looked for, and what challenges he ran into in recent months. See what he had to say. CR: Tell us a little about yourself! …

ACT & SAT

Why Breaks Are Important

By Hilary CairnsLast updated on December 22, 2022

No matter where you are in the college search process, whether just starting your list or polishing those applications, you need to be taking breaks. This includes breaks from studying for the SAT or ACT, scholarship applications, and your junior or senior year work. While you have a lot to get done, you also need …