college search, tips tools & advice

Planning Your College Search

By Hilary CairnsLast updated on December 21, 2022

Juniors: With the new year, if you are planning to go to college, it’s time to get started on your college search! Do you know where to begin? If not – it’s okay! We’ve put together a quick checklist and some tools for you! Ask Yourself Questions Asking yourself some questions to start off your …

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The Benefits of Visiting a College Before Applying

By Hilary CairnsLast updated on December 21, 2022

 College visits are an essential part of the selection process. After all, it’s one thing to read about a school on paper, and another thing entirely to actually stand on the campus. These visits give students an in-person look at the school, campus, town, and overall atmosphere. Though college visits have decreased recently, primarily due …

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What You Need to Know About College Acceptance Odds

By Hilary CairnsLast updated on May 9, 2025

A college acceptance rate is the ratio of students who applied and were accepted to the school. Colleges and universities generally want well rounded applicants, with strong grades, high SAT/ACT scores, and extracurriculars. To improve your overall college admission chances, create a list of reach, match, and safety schools that meet your education goals. College …

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What is a Research University?

By Hilary CairnsLast updated on December 21, 2022

When searching for a college to attend, you may come across the phrase “research university” as the school’s classification. What does it mean though? And how does it differ from other classifications for colleges and universities? Is it right for your education? What is a Research University? A research university is a school that focuses …

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What is a Liberal Arts College?

By Hilary CairnsLast updated on March 23, 2026

Key takeaways Liberal arts colleges are 4-year higher educational institutions that offer undergraduate education in the arts, humanities, and sciences. Generally small schools, liberal arts colleges offer students small class sizes, tight knit communities, and close relationships with professors. Financial aid can lower the cost of going to a liberal arts college. Graduates gain skills …

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What is a Technical School?

By College Raptor StaffLast updated on August 9, 2023

A technical school is an educational institution that helps students gain the specific knowledge and skills necessary to pursue a definite career path. This is an alternative option for students who don’t want to attend traditional college after high school graduation. If you’re interested in pursuing a particular career, you could benefit from attending a …

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What is a Trade School?

By College Raptor StaffLast updated on March 26, 2025

Do you dream of styling hair for a living, or maybe making food? What about working on cars? Trade schools can turn those passions into careers! These programs offer fast-tracked, hands-on training in just a few months to two years, and they’re often cheaper than college. You’ll graduate with the skills you need to land …

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When To Remove A College From Your List

By College Raptor StaffLast updated on December 22, 2022

Finding the perfect college is no easy task. You want to make sure that the college you choose will help you meet your academic and career goals. With over 4,000 colleges and universities in the US, this can take some time. The first step is to create a manageable shortlist of the best-fit colleges for …

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Strategies For Picking A College To Add To Your List

By College Raptor StaffLast updated on December 22, 2022

Picking a college to add to your list is no easy task. You go through the websites of colleges across the U.S. and they all seem like great options. How do you pick just a few from among these fantastic choices? And how many should you add to your list? These strategies will help to …

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Why Going to Safety Schools Isn’t a Bad Thing

By Hilary CairnsLast updated on December 22, 2022

When it comes to searching for colleges, schools are typically divided into three categories—safety, match, and reach. Safety colleges are those you’re highly likely to get into—schools with higher acceptance rates and less competition. Many people think that attending a safety college means “you weren’t good enough” to get into a match or reach school. …