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.
What is the TOEFL and why is it important?
questions & answers

What is the TOEFL?

By Hilary CairnsLast updated on December 22, 2022
If you live in the United States or another English majority speaking country, it’s quite possible you’ve never heard of the TOEFL. It stands for Test of English as a Foreign Language. However, if English wasn’t your first language, you may have to take it to attend a college in another country. Here are the …
A person holding a pen on top of a printed bar graph.
college applications

How to Improve Your GPA!

By Hilary CairnsLast updated on December 22, 2022
Improving your GPA should be a goal whether you’re in high school or college, a freshman or a senior. A high GPA will look excellent on both a college application and a resume. Here are some steps you can take to improve your GPA: Set Aside Time To Study Studying before a test is a …
We cover a few community college myths below.
myths

Myths About Community Colleges

By Hilary CairnsLast updated on December 22, 2022
Community colleges aren’t a top choice for many high school students or college-oriented adults. However, they should be considered as an option more than they are. They have a number of careers and educational benefits and are often undervalued. Here are a few myths that surround community colleges: Community College is Not A Good Choice …
ACT & SAT

How to Study for the PreACT

By Hilary CairnsLast updated on December 22, 2022
Even though the PreACT is a prep exam for the actual ACT, it doesn’t mean you should skip the study sessions. The PreACT is fairly new and was only released in fall of 2016, but there are still some ways you can get prepared. Take The ACT Practice Test  The PreACT is almost identical to …
questions & answers

Can A Scholarship Expire?

By Hilary CairnsLast updated on December 22, 2022
When applying for a scholarship (or after you’ve been awarded one), it’s important to understand how their specific terms and how they work. One question you might be asking yourself is “Can they expire?” Here’s what you need to know about expiration dates and your scholarship: Can They Expire? Some students who win scholarships wonder …
What is a GED and how is it graded?
questions & answers

What is a GED?

By Hilary CairnsLast updated on December 22, 2022
What is a GED? A GED, also known as the General Educational Development or General Education Diploma, is an alternative to a high school diploma. However, before deciding to take it in place of earning your diploma, there are some things you need to know. What Exactly Is The GED? A GED is for people …
Three gears laying together.
college admissions

What Does Rolling Admission Mean and How Does It Work?

By Hilary CairnsLast updated on November 30, 2023
Rolling admissions refers to college application cycles that are open year-round. They can be valuable for students who change their mind about college or want to apply to additional schools after regular decision on January 1st. Colleges that offer rolling admissions do tend to have priority deadlines. Popular colleges that have rolling admissions include Pennsylvania …
A student holding a pen to a notebook, studying.
ACT & SAT

How to Study for the PSAT

By Hilary CairnsLast updated on December 22, 2022
Your results on the PSAT are not only an accurate representation of how you would do on the SAT, but they also give you the opportunity to win scholarships and recognition from the National Merit Scholarship Corporation. Even though it is a practice exam, you should be fully prepared on test day. Here are some …