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While your college grades are important, there's so much more to college!
student life

College Is Not Just About Getting Good Grades

By College Raptor StaffLast updated on December 22, 2022
Before you set out to college, you are sure to receive lots of advice about studying hard and getting good grades. Yes, getting good grades is really important, and you must give due effort to working hard and earning good grades. But, it is equally important to remember that college is so much more than …
Prepare for a great year ahead with these tips.
student life

8 Ways To Start Your College Semester off Right

By College Raptor StaffLast updated on May 29, 2024
The beginning of a semester brings excitement with new classes and new opportunities. But it can also be the most challenging time. Many are still in vacation mode—be it from a long summer break or a quick winter hiatus—and struggle to transition into the demanding pace of college life. The temptation to procrastinate can lead …
Student boarding a train.
college search

Should You Take a Gap Year Before College? A Complete Guide

By College Raptor StaffLast updated on October 30, 2025
Key Takeaways A gap year is a planned break between high school and college to explore interests, gain valuable experience, or prepare for college. Taking a gap year can help students learn responsibility, discover what they like, improve their college applications, and save money. A downside of a gap year is delaying college, which can …
An HSI is dedicated to the higher education of Hispanic and Latino students in the US.
questions & answers

What is an HSI?

By College Raptor StaffLast updated on May 9, 2024
HSI is an abbreviation for Hispanic-Serving Institutions. Around 510 institutions currently meet the specific requirements to be designated as HSI. Holding the HSI designation qualifies higher ed institutions for receiving substantial federal funding as well as grants from other organizations. You may have seen the term “HSI” pop up during your college searches. HSI stands …
Transferring colleges can be stressful. Here are some myths that we can disprove
myths

Myths about Transferring Colleges

By Hilary CairnsLast updated on December 22, 2022
Transferring colleges can be a stressful time as you make sure you have everything you need to make the major change. There are a lot of myths surrounding the transfer though, so here are some things you need to know. Myth: My Credits Won’t Transfer  While the myth of “My credits won’t transfer” has some …
What is an HBCU exactly?
questions & answers

What Is An HBCU?

By Ellen AndersenLast updated on December 22, 2022
In your college explorations, you’ll hear the term “HBCU” tossed around every now and then about a school. These letters stand for “Historically Black College and/or University”. The name conveys a few facts about the associated schools. What is an HBCU? By hearing this acronym, you understand that people established these schools with the primary …
How do you find the right summer programs
student life

Tips For Finding The Right Summer Program

By College Raptor StaffLast updated on May 13, 2024
Enrolling in summer programs offers you the wonderful opportunity to investigate potential majors, explore current interests more deeply, expand your horizons and gain valuable experience that can help you make better choices. These tips can help you find the right summer programs for you. What is a Summer Program? Summer programs are often called Summer …
There are a few signs that suggest transferring schools.
college search

How to know if you should transfer colleges

By College Raptor StaffLast updated on November 20, 2025
Key takeaways: You should change colleges if your current school doesn’t offer your desired major, you are finding it too hard to afford, or if you aren’t getting what you need inside the classroom or as a “college experience” as a whole. You shouldn’t transfer to a new college if you only have a bad …

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