college search

Finding the Right Size Colleges: Small, Medium or Large Campus?

By Hilary CairnsLast updated on July 5, 2024

Whenever students are asked about their college preferences, one of the things students consider is the size of the school. The majority of college match tools, including College Raptor, ask about preferred college size. There are small, medium, and large size colleges, but how do students know what the right size is for them? Each …

college admissions

Organizations that Help Students in Low-Income Households go to College

By Hilary CairnsLast updated on August 4, 2025

Key Takeaways: A majority of careers require an associate or bachelor’s degree. High tuition costs and limited resource access make it difficult for students from low-income households to go to college. Several organizations advocate for change, provide mentorship, and offer resources to improve college access for low-income families. Due to the high cost of college, …

questions & answers

How Many Times Should I Take the ACT or SAT?

By Hilary CairnsLast updated on December 22, 2022

First: There is no magic number for how many times a student should take the ACT or SAT. For some students, taking the test once may be enough. Others may need to take the test twice or even three times. There are no penalties for taking the tests multiple times or choosing to take both …

questions & answers

How to Start Searching for Colleges: A Step-by-Step Guide

By Hilary CairnsLast updated on February 8, 2024

Searching for colleges is a process that requires time and dedication. Resources like College Match can help students find the colleges and universities that meet their unique needs and wants in a school. Students thinking about attending college should consider location, size of the school, majors, career options, and more. With nearly 6,000 community colleges, …

college admissions

How to Deal With College Rejection Letters: 6 Steps

By Hilary CairnsLast updated on May 22, 2024

College rejection letters can hurt. If you get one, stay calm and keep your head up. You have options. If you’ve received a college rejection letter, you should consider writing appeal letter while also celebrating the acceptance letters you do receive. Here’s how you can approach this disappointment. Why Do Colleges Reject Students? The reason …

college applications

What to Do If You’re Waitlisted by a College

By Hilary CairnsLast updated on February 25, 2025

As your college acceptance letters roll in, you’re probably wondering, “Am I accepted or rejected?” But there’s always that middle ground that could happen, too – waitlisted. So what should you do if you’re waitlisted for a class? And what shouldn’t you do? We’ll answer those two questions below. What Are College Waitlists? When a …

college search

How to Choose a College: A Complete Guide

By Hilary CairnsLast updated on July 22, 2025

Key Takeaways: To choose a college, start by considering your preferences, goals, academic profile, and intended major. Visiting campuses and asking students questions can help you determine whether it’s the right school for you. Review statistics, rankings, and other information to compare college options before you apply. You’re not alone if you’re intimidated by trying …

financial aid

What’s the Difference Between the FAFSA and CSS Profile?

By Hilary CairnsLast updated on December 4, 2024

College is expensive, but there are ways to get free money* for tuition and related education expenses – including the CSS profile and the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). While these applications have some overlap, there are some notable differences you’ll need to know before you complete them. Below, we outline what you …

college applications

When to Apply to College: Early Decision vs. Early Action vs. Regular Decision

By Hilary CairnsLast updated on June 10, 2024

Once you have decided which schools you will apply to, you’ll then need to decide which application deadline option is best for you: early decision vs early action or regular decision. They are vastly different and it’s important to understand the uniqueness of each college admissions process– or you might just apply under the wrong …