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.
ACT-SAT-Tips
ACT & SAT

Colleges That Don’t Require the SAT or ACT

By Hilary CairnsLast updated on May 1, 2025
There are over 3,500 colleges, universities, and institutions that offer degrees in the United States, but did you know that more than 2,100 of these schools don’t currently require SAT or ACT scores should you apply? Many colleges are currently test optional, while a handful are test free. If you didn’t score well or you’re …
Yellow and orange leaves in a pile.
tips tools & advice

The College Transition: Dealing with Change

By Hilary CairnsLast updated on January 17, 2023
College is supposed to be one of the greatest times in your life…and for the most part, it will be. You will explore new environments, make new friends, and discover things about yourself that you never knew. However, in your transition to college life, you will be dealing with change. Change is the only thing …
How much does an online MBA cost for students?
online colleges

How much does an online MBA cost?

By Hilary CairnsLast updated on January 23, 2026
Key takeaways: The average tuition and fee cost for an online MBA degree was $10,964, per the most recently released data by the NCES. Affordable online MBA programs start at just $9,700, while some programs can cost more than $125,500. You can pay for or lower the cost of a graduate degree by completing the …
Here's what you'll learn in online MBA programs.
online colleges

A quick guide to online MBA programs

By Hilary CairnsLast updated on January 29, 2026
Key takeaways: Many institutions offer online Masters of Business Administration (MBA), a graduate degree. Core coursework covers finance, entrepreneurship, marketing, and more, and students can choose a specialization based on their goals. To find the right MBA curriculum for you, review admission requirements, cost, specialization availability, and other factors. An MBA can help you advance …
What is a good PSAT score and how do you achieve a good score?
ACT & SAT

What is a Good PSAT Score?

By Hilary CairnsLast updated on September 24, 2024
A “good” PSAT score is usually in the 75th percentile, or 1075 to 1130 in recent years. Often seen as the “practice SAT,” the PSAT lays the groundwork for your SAT prep, helping you better understand where you are and where you want to be. However, score in the 99th percentile and you could actually …
College applications can be ridiculously expensive, especially with the application fee
college applications

What If I Can’t Afford the College Application Fee?

By Hilary CairnsLast updated on September 22, 2025
Key Takeaways: College applications can cost anywhere from $0 to $100 each, but many students pay around $50 per application. Students may qualify for college application fee waivers by demonstrating financial need. If you’re not eligible for waivers, you can save money by applying to schools with free or low-cost applications. One college application at …
Student's coffee and laptop on a table at a campus coffee shop.
ACT & SAT

Do Colleges Prefer ACT or SAT? Which is More Popular?

By Hilary CairnsLast updated on December 22, 2022
If you’re hoping to apply to college, you may be trying to decide which standardized test to take: the ACT vs. SAT. It will please you to hear that colleges do not prefer the SAT over the ACT or vice versa. We’ll cover the myth that the SAT is preferred over the ACT, as well …

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