questions & answers

Should I Pick a College Far From Home or Nearby?

By Allison WignallLast updated on December 22, 2022

Some students can’t wait to get away from their hometown to explore somewhere far from home, others are a little hesitant to venture too far. This is a big conundrum that many (if not most) students face during their college search process. But a lot of factors go into picking which college you attend, and …

questions & answers

What’s the Right Mix of Safety Schools vs. Reach Schools on Your College List?

By College Raptor StaffLast updated on October 21, 2024

When building your college list, you’ll want to the right mix of “safety schools”, “match schools” and “reach schools.” But what does that mean? And how many should you have of each? What Does Safety Schools, Match Schools, and Reach Schools Mean? There are three different “types” of schools when it comes to the chance …

questions & answers

How Can I Decide on Which Colleges I Should Visit?

By College Raptor StaffLast updated on December 22, 2022

College visits allow you to get a first-hand look at your shortlisted institutions. You get a feel of the community and environment, enabling you to narrow down your list of preferred colleges even further. Here’s how to choose which colleges to visit if you can’t visit them all: Ideally, you visit all of them. Ideally, …

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What is the Difference Between an Accelerated Degree Vs. Dual Degree Program?

By Hilary CairnsLast updated on December 22, 2022

Most undergraduate students tend to go to college for four years and focus on one Bachelor’s degree. If they pursue other degrees, it is usually after graduation. However, there are other options available to students, including Accelerated Degree and Dual Degree Programs. Choosing which is right for you depends on your desired career path and …

questions & answers

Questions to Ask Colleges About Their Graduates

By Gwyneth FindlayLast updated on December 22, 2022

Student life, campus atmosphere and academic opportunities are all vital aspects of a college’s make-up. But when you’re looking at colleges, remember: the college experience itself is only a few years. What will happen after you graduate and launch into the world? For every college on your list, dig around to see how their graduates fare …

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What Will I Experience on a College Tour?

By Hilary CairnsLast updated on January 17, 2024

Visiting a college before you agree to attend is a great way to determine if the school is for you. It’s a chance for students to make the college “real” in their minds and see if they can envision themselves there for the next four years. Many schools offer in-person college tours (or online versions) …

questions & answers

Do I Have to be Religious to Attend a Religious College?

By Ellen AndersenLast updated on December 22, 2022

The short answer, of course, is no. The primary difference between a religiously-affiliated college and a public university is that, because the religious college is private, the separation of church and state does not apply. It might be that a religious school requires so many credits of “religious” courses (depending on the school, classes such …

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Should I Pay Attention to Professor-Rating Websites?

By Allison WignallLast updated on December 22, 2022

There’s no doubt that the internet has been a boon to students around the world. With research materials posted or scanned online, students researching papers no longer have to spend hours at the library simply searching for relevant information. Sharing assignments online saves paper and printer ink money. There are numerous other benefits to the …

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What is an “Accredited” College? Why is Being “Accredited” Important?

By Maria Andreina FernandezLast updated on December 22, 2022

There are a lot of colleges and universities in the United States, but how many of them are actually “accredited”? Just because a college exists, does not mean it has the best educational program or teaching system. The college could have been created and approved to teach, but not be accredited. What is accreditation? Accreditation …

questions & answers

Are Freshmen Retention Rates a Good Indicator of a College’s Quality?

By Allison WignallLast updated on December 22, 2022

The answer may not be as clear-cut as you’re hoping, because: yes and no. But let’s break it down. First off: what is a freshmen retention rate? It is the percentage of students who return for their second (or sophomore) year at school. For example, Vanderbilt University has a first-year retention rate of 97%. That …