Olivia Pittman

Olivia Pittman is a Research and Content specialist at College Raptor. All of those questions you've been thinking about while looking for a college? Olivia digs in and finds answers.
low cost universities
affordability & college cost

15 Surprisingly Affordable Colleges for Midwestern Middle Class Families

By Olivia PittmanLast updated on December 22, 2022
Many middle class families in the Midwest think that their only affordable college options are the state schools. While these may be great options, they are certainly not the only affordable schools for these students and families. Before we jump in to which colleges we found to be most affordable for middle class Midwestern families, it’s important …
So, what's the difference between a college and a university?
questions & answers

What’s the Difference Between a College and a University?

By Olivia PittmanLast updated on December 22, 2022
‘What’s the difference between college and university?’ That’s a common question that many high school students ask as they research higher education institutions. In the US, people use the terms “college” and “university” interchangeably to describe institutions that provide post-secondary education. That’s not right though. There are a few key differences between college and university. …
Foggy mountains at sunrise in Tennessee.
scholarships

8 Scholarships for Students in Tennessee

By Olivia PittmanLast updated on December 22, 2022
The Volunteer State is home to over 70 colleges and universities, and if you’re planning to attend one, you’re probably also looking for ways to cover the costs. Luckily, a number of scholarships are available to students in Tennessee, both from the state government and from independent organizations. Ned McWherter Scholars Program Amount: $6,000 (renewable) …
ACT & SAT

How To Improve Your ACT Score

By Olivia PittmanLast updated on December 22, 2022
If you took a practice ACT or sat for the actual test, you may have been unpleasantly surprised by how you scored. If you find yourself in this situation, the good news is that there are steps you can take to achieving a better score. Practice and evaluate why you’re missing questions Take a practice …
Nowadays, there's online ACT and SAT prep.
ACT & SAT

Studying For The ACT & SAT Online

By Olivia PittmanLast updated on December 22, 2022
For a long time, test prep consisted of holing up with a giant book and answering practice question after practice question. Now, online platforms offer test prep that is more convenient and interactive, making it a lot more difficult to find an excuse not to prepare. At the same time, though, finding the right platform …
The new PSAT is a bit different from the old one in terms of scoring.
ACT & SAT

Should You Retake the ACT?

By Olivia PittmanLast updated on December 22, 2022
Wondering if you should retake the ACT? Many students benefit from retakes—in fact, 57 percent of students score higher when they take the test more than once! Retaking may not be necessary for everyone, but here are some things to consider when deciding whether you should. A higher score can increase more than your admissions …
Yale University offers full-ride scholarships (free tuition).
ACT & SAT

Average SAT/ACT Score For Yale: What It Takes To Get In

By Olivia PittmanLast updated on December 22, 2022
A strong standardized test score is an important part of a competitive application to Yale. But how do you know if your score is good enough? One way to do this is by finding out the average SAT/ACT score for Yale. Knowing what SAT or ACT score is needed for Yale will give you an …
Vanderbilt University
ACT & SAT

Vanderbilt University ACT & SAT Scores: What It Takes To Get In

By Olivia PittmanLast updated on December 22, 2022
Nearly 30,000 students apply to Vanderbilt University in Nashville each year. Of these, just under 4,000 students are accepted, for a 13 percent admissions rate. VU’s admissions committee requires either an ACT or an SAT score. If you take SAT subjects tests, you can submit them with your application for consideration as well, but they’re …
Students applying to Carnegie Mellon usually have high SAT or ACT scores.
ACT & SAT

Carnegie Mellon University ACT & SAT Scores: What It Takes To Get In

By Olivia PittmanLast updated on December 22, 2022
Carnegie Mellon University is perhaps best known for its computer science and engineering programs. However, the private university offers a full range of bachelor’s programs in the arts and humanities as well. Carnegie Mellon receives nearly 20,000 applications each year. Of these, the school accepts 5,000 students. At 24.6 percent, the admissions rate to Carnegie …