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.
College student interviews for a scholarship opportunity
scholarship search & applications

Common Scholarship Interview Questions

By Hilary CairnsLast updated on October 9, 2024
Common scholarship interview questions usually will focus on the student’s strengths, weaknesses, goals, personality, and academics. Others may ask about motivation, stress management, and extracurricular activities. No matter what the scholarship is for, a scholarship interview requires preparation and practice. What To Know About Scholarship Interviews Scholarship interviews are designed to help the organization better …
The ACT/SAT has fees attached to it. How do you get those fees waived?
ACT & SAT

Can I Get My ACT/SAT Fee Waived?

By Hilary CairnsLast updated on December 22, 2022
When you go to register for the SAT or ACT, you may notice there are fees attached. The SAT costs $43, and with the essay is $54.50. The ACT costs $39.50 without the optional writing test and $56.50 with. There may be additional fees for changing your test date or receiving answer keys after grading. However, what …
What you need to know about the ACT Test Information Release
ACT & SAT

What You Need to Know About the ACT’s Test Information Release

By Hilary CairnsLast updated on December 22, 2022
After you take your ACT, you’ll often receive your scores for both the multiple-choice and essay sections in about a month. However, some students may be interested to see why they received the scores they did. Thanks to the Test Information Release from the ACT, also known as the TIR, that’s possible. What is the …
Multiple choice test sheet with shaded answers.
myths

Is the ACT harder than the SAT? Which Test Should You Take?

By Hilary CairnsLast updated on December 22, 2022
Is the ACT harder than the SAT? In general terms, no! It’s actually a myth that one is harder or easier than the other. However, one may be harder for you as a person compared to the next. Here’s what you need to know about these myths, what colleges think, and how you can personally …
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 …

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