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.
Students walking around Iosue Student Union campus on a fall afternoon.
college applications

What are TRIO Educational Opportunity Centers?

By Hilary CairnsLast updated on December 22, 2022
You may have not heard of them, but Educational Opportunity Centers are one part of the Federal TRIO Programs. If you’re from a disadvantaged background or area, they may be something you want to look into to ensure you’re starting your college education off on the right foot. Here is an explanation of TRIO is …
MIT is known for engineering majors. Students find a college and decide if it's a good fit for them
college majors & minors

How a Major Can Help You Find a College

By Hilary CairnsLast updated on December 22, 2022
Narrowing down your college list can be difficult, but paying attention to what you need or want out of a school can help you find the perfect colleges for your education. One aspect you should pay special attention to is your intended major. Here’s how a major can help you find a college: Not All …
Here are some tips on how to write a persuasive essay for the ACT
ACT & SAT

How To Make a Persuasive Essay on the ACT

By Hilary CairnsLast updated on December 22, 2022
During high school, you’re probably most used to writing an essay to prove a fact. You’ve probably written some though that focused on your opinion. That’s what the ACT looks for. They provide you with an essay topic where you have to write on your opinion and work on persuading the reader to see it …
A piggy bank and jar full of coins inside.
ACT & SAT

How To Save Money on the ACT and SAT

By Hilary CairnsLast updated on December 22, 2022
Between taking the SAT or ACT (or both) and preparing for them, you may be worried about the cost. Currently, the SAT without an essay is $47.50 and with the essay is $64.50. The ACT is $50.50 without the essay and $67 with the writing section. On top of these costs, prep classes and tutors …
Black calculator close up.
ACT & SAT

Calculator Tips for the SAT Math Section

By Hilary CairnsLast updated on December 22, 2022
You should never attempt to take the SAT without a calculator, but not any old calculator will do. There are some tips and things you should keep in mind when preparing for the exam (and on the test date). Here are some calculator tips to remember for the SAT: Bring The Right Calculator Bringing the …
You should consider getting Amazon Prime for college students
student life

The Benefits of Amazon Prime Student Accounts for College

By Hilary CairnsLast updated on December 22, 2022
At no extra cost to you, College Raptor may earn a commission for purchases using our links. Learn more.  You most likely buy just about anything you need on the internet. Even if you’re only a part-time shopper, you probably head to Amazon at least once a month. As a student, you may not know …
Students gathering in The Queens College campus field.
college search

The History of Hispanic Serving Institutions (HSIs)

By Hilary CairnsLast updated on December 22, 2022
You’ve probably heard of HBCUs (or Historically Black Colleges and Universities), but a less commonly known federal definition for schools is a HSI or Hispanic Serving Institution. Here’s a history of HSIs and how they exist today. What is a HSI? An HSI, or Hispanic Serving Institution, is a college, university, or a similar system …
Prep for the ACT science section with these tips.
ACT & SAT

How to Prep For ACT Science If It’s Not Your Favorite Subject

By Hilary CairnsLast updated on December 22, 2022
Whether you just don’t enjoy science or it’s not your best subject, you may be dreading the science section on the ACT. However, if you’re taking this exam, you still need to prepare for this subject. Here are ways you can prep for some ACT science questions even if it’s not your favorite class. Practice …