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 are the available accommodations for the SAT and ACT?
ACT & SAT

ACT/SAT Accommodations for Students With Disabilities

By Hilary CairnsLast updated on January 22, 2025
If you have a disability, you could qualify for ACT or SAT accommodations, including extended testing time, additional break, and assistive technology. In this article, we explain the accommodation available for each standardized test, who is eligible, and how you can request them. What ACT Accommodations Are Available for Students with Disabilities? The ACT offers …
We put together a list of 6 of the most popular undergraduate majors.
majors & industries

The 10 most popular undergraduate majors

By Hilary CairnsLast updated on January 28, 2026
Key takeaways: Business, Health Professions including Registered Nursing, and Psychology are the most popular undergraduate majors. Biomedical Sciences, Social Sciences, Engineering, and Computer Science were also commonly chosen. To identify the right major for you, consider your education and career goals, interests, strengths, and weaknesses. While most students don’t have to select a major until …
Show interest in a college to show how dedicated you are to attending.
college search

How To Demonstrate Interest In A College

By Hilary CairnsLast updated on December 22, 2022
You probably have a few colleges on your list to apply to, with some being your dream school or top choice, but how do you really demonstrate interest to attend? For more selective schools, showing interest could really give you a leg up on the competition. Here are a few ways to really show your …
A tan and pink price tag with text next to it that says "what is included in cost of attendance?"
affordability & college cost

What is Included in “Cost of Attendance?”

By Hilary CairnsLast updated on December 22, 2022
Cost of attendance or COA is a term you’ll come across often when researching different colleges and their fees. Families often confuse cost of attendance with college tuition. The fact is although the two are associated, they are two completely different things. College tuition is just one part of the total cost of attendance. Here’s …
A jar of coins, mostly pennies and dimes.
financial aid

What is “demonstrated need” for financial aid?

By Hilary CairnsLast updated on February 10, 2026
Key takeaways: Demonstrated need refers to the difference between a college’s sticker price and the amount a student can afford to pay towards their degree. Colleges and universities use the FAFSA or CSS Profile to view your demonstrated need and determine financial aid packages. You can use net price calculators on school websites and College …
Internships are not only for college students
myths

Myth: Internships Are Only for College Students

By Hilary CairnsLast updated on December 22, 2022
We most often hear about how a college student we know is aiming for this internship during their summer or that one immediately after graduation, but did you know that interning isn’t only for people in college? Here’s why you should still consider going after that internship even if you’re still in high school: Great …
Here are some tips on how to save time on college applications
college applications

How to Save Time on College Applications

By Hilary CairnsLast updated on December 22, 2022
Your senior year of high school is a hectic time, especially if you have work, volunteer, or play sports after class. On top of that, you’re getting prepared to head to college next year! Between the applications, ACT and SAT tests, essays, and more, it can get a bit overwhelming. Here are a few tips …
Hay bales on a field.
questions & answers

What are Rolling Admissions?

By Hilary CairnsLast updated on December 22, 2022
While you’re applying to college, you may have come across some schools on your list that use a rolling admission process. Here’s a rundown of what you can expect when applying to one of these colleges: What is it? Rolling admissions is a policy often used for freshman, undergraduates, and law schools. Instead of a …

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