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.
Actress Felicity Huffman charged in the admission cheating scandal
ACT & SAT

What You Need to Know About the College Admissions Cheating Scandal

By Hilary CairnsLast updated on December 22, 2022
(3/28/19) You’ve probably seen the college admissions cheating scandal in the news recently. Several students received guaranteed admission to colleges around the country after parents spent money to ensure their acceptance. Here’s what you need to know: What Did the Cheating Involve? There were a few different types of cheating going on. One method would …
wall lights
student life

7 Dorm Room Lights for College Students

By Hilary CairnsLast updated on July 2, 2023
At no extra cost to you, College Raptor may earn a commission for purchases using our links. Learn more.  If you’re thinking about decorating your dorm room, you’ll definitely want to consider adding some wall lights around the area. Here are seven unique and fun lights that you can put up on the walls, windows, …
A student holding the letter H, spelling out "hello."
college applications

How to Write an Essay About Yourself: College App Introductions

By Hilary CairnsLast updated on December 22, 2022
Wondering how to write an essay about yourself? Many college-bound students are faced with this intimidating task. A college application essay is often seen by students as a chance to introduce themselves to the college admissions department. However, it’s time to start seeing it as more than just a “first impression.” While a college essay …
High school student sitting at a desk with a laptop.
ACT & SAT

Why “Cramming” Doesn’t Work for the SAT and ACT

By Hilary CairnsLast updated on December 22, 2022
If you have an SAT and ACT coming up, you might think it’s a good idea to just “cram” the few days and nights before, rather than studying the weeks prior. You may even believe you can just look over everything the evening before and be good to go. This isn’t a solid plan and …