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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.
help selecting a college
college search

Bad Reasons to Select a College

By Hilary CairnsLast updated on December 22, 2022
When you start applying to schools or your acceptance letters come in, you may have to make a choice between colleges. There will be aspects of your life that may influence your decision, and not all of them will be beneficial to you and your future. Need some help selecting a college? Here are a …
college comparisons

6 best colleges for students interested in paleontology

By Hilary CairnsLast updated on March 3, 2026
Key takeaway Paleontology is the study of prehistoric life through fossil plants, fish, reptiles, and mammals. Specializing in paleontology requires graduate school, with many undergraduates majoring in geology, biology, anthropology, ecology, or environmental science. The top six colleges for studying paleontology include Bowling Green State University, the University of Chicago, the University of California-Berkeley, the …
college towns
college search

Pros and Cons of Large College Towns

By Hilary CairnsLast updated on December 22, 2022
When going through your college choices, one of the things you should decide is if you prefer to live in a small town or a big city (or somewhere in the middle). There are pros and cons to each. If you’re considering large college towns, here are some things to keep in mind. Pro: Public …
Six stress balls with smiley faces.
student life

How to Lower Senior Year Stress

By Hilary CairnsLast updated on December 22, 2022
During your last year of high school, you have a lot on your plate. Final classes to finish off your high school career, maybe a job, social life, searching for colleges, applying, visiting the school, extracurricular activities, and more. It’s a lot to juggle so it’s easy to see why it can become overwhelming. Here …
Make a college visit checklist so you don't forget anything
college search

How to create a college visit worksheet

By Hilary CairnsLast updated on August 12, 2026
Key takeaways College visits give you a more accurate picture of what living on campus and attending school will be like for the next four years. Before scheduling tours, narrow down your college list by determining what’s most important to you in a school. Selecting a college spreadsheet template helps you compare each school on …
Closeup of a game controller.
majors & industries

3 More Dream Jobs and How to Get Them

By Hilary CairnsLast updated on December 22, 2022
What did you want to be when you were in elementary school? It’s probably not the same as now. There may just be a few “dream jobs” you considered when you were younger but dismissed because it’s just not in the realm of reality! However, you may be surprised. Here are three of those dream …
A group of students sitting on a white picnic blanket with a dog in front of them.
scholarships

Scholarships for Students with Mental Illness

By Hilary CairnsLast updated on February 26, 2025
If you suffer from mental illness or are currently seeing a psychologist, there are dozens of scholarships available to you. Your mental illness has a huge effect on how you learn so it’s important to know that there are resources out there that can help you succeed in higher education.  College Raptor has put together …
campus visits
college search

The Most Common FAQs About College Visits

By Hilary CairnsLast updated on January 22, 2024
Do you have a long list of potential colleges to attend? We highly recommend that you visit the campus! Whether you are trying to figure out which colleges you want to apply to, or are just trying to narrow down your college decision, campus visits may help you make your choice. Plus, making a more …
A work study program job could seem menial and boring, but there are ways to get the most out of any job
financial aid

How To Get the Most Out of a Work Study Program

By Hilary CairnsLast updated on December 22, 2022
Earning money during college can be a helpful boost to finances, allowing you to pay off some of your tuition or other educational expenses. Federal work study is a great program to get into for this reason! However, some of the jobs may seem menial at first and may feel like a waste of time. …

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