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.
Princeton University ivy-covered hall building.
questions & answers

Why Are the Ivy League Schools Called the “Ivy Leagues?”

By Hilary CairnsLast updated on April 10, 2025
The term “Ivy League” dates back to the 1930s, when a sports writer coined the phrase. Today, the Ivy League conference consists of eight schools – Harvard University, Yale University, University of Pennsylvania, Princeton University, Columbia University, Brown University, Dartmouth College, and Cornell University. Take a trip back in time with us to see what …
Create a pros and cons list to help you during your college search
college search

How to create a pros and cons list for schools in your college search

By Hilary CairnsLast updated on January 12, 2026
Key takeaways: Create college lists to help you identify the best schools for your education and career goals. Pros and cons tables allow you to visualize how potential colleges compare to one another. Consider costs, majors, location, campus life, acceptance rates, preferences, and more to create your personalized comparison chart. Whether you’re deciding which colleges …
What are hidden ivies?
questions & answers

What Are “Hidden Ivies?”

By Hilary CairnsLast updated on October 15, 2025
The Hidden Ivies are colleges that have an excellent reputation and academic programs but aren’t members of the Ivy League. All eight Ivy League schools are located in the Northeastern United States, while Hidden Ivies are found all over the country. Hidden Ivies tend to have higher acceptance rates, different programs, smaller student bodies than …
Use your intended major to find a college
college search

How To Use Your Intended Major in the College Search

By Hilary CairnsLast updated on December 22, 2022
When searching for your potential future college, there will be quite a few things you will have to keep in mind. This may include the school’s dorm rooms, the location, the size of the school, the college’s reputation, and, of course, your major. Here’s how you can use your intended major in your college search. …
Like a gap on a sidewalk, gapping is when a college can't meet the full financial needs of a student.
financial aid

A Guide to Funding the Financial Aid Gap

By Hilary CairnsLast updated on February 27, 2025
Although many schools offer financial aid packages to help make college more affordable for its students, some individuals find themselves unable to cover the entire cost of their education even with these packages. This is what they call a financial aid gap. If a student is in this situation – what are their options? Finding …
Your high school counselor can actually help you
college applications

Things Your High School Counselor Can Do For You

By Hilary CairnsLast updated on March 6, 2025
Every high school student has at least one, but when is the last time you visited your guidance counselor? Many students don’t take full advantage of all the benefits the office has to offer. Here are just three things you counselor can do for you, freshman year to senior. Academic Assistance from Your Counselor Most …

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