All Questions & Answers Articles

Vanderbilt University is ranked in the top 2 of best colleges in the southeast.
questions & answers

What are the Southern Ivies?

By Hilary CairnsPublished on November 21, 2025
Key takeaways: A Southern Ivy is a college in the Southern United States that provides top-rated academic programs to its students. They may also have outstanding research, study abroad, or unique job opportunities. Some institutions often called Southern Ivies include Rice University, Duke University, and Davidson College. Southern Ivies is a loose definition for select …
affordability & college cost, questions & answers

Understanding Dual Enrollment and the Benefits for Students

By Hilary CairnsLast updated on December 16, 2025
Key takeaways: Dual enrollment students take college-level classes while still in high school, getting a head start on their undergraduate degree. Class availability depends on the school, but common options are in English, Math, and Foreign Language. Opting for dual enrollment can speed up your graduation timeline, lower overall college costs, and increase your acceptance …
questions & answers

The Colleges With the Most 2024 Olympians and Medals

By College Raptor StaffPublished on December 19, 2024
Believe it or not, Olympians are just like the rest of us—minus the stacks of medals and world-class accolades. And yes, many of them go to college! You might be wondering how they manage to juggle intense training schedules, academic demands, social lives, and the occasional need for sleep. Our best answer? They’re Olympians for …
Honors courses and colleges attract a lot of attention.
questions & answers, student life

A Complete Guide to Honors Programs and 5 Big Benefits

By Hilary CairnsPublished on October 16, 2024
Honor programs recognize high-achieving students who have a history of excellent grades. The programs’ classes and courses are difficult, but they can be perfect for high school and college students who want a challenge in their education. Plus, they offer a number of benefits including recognition, scholarship opportunities, and more. Here’s a complete look at …
fed student loan
questions & answers, tips tools & advice

Do Colleges Look at Attendance? What You Need to Know about Going to Class

By Hilary CairnsLast updated on September 25, 2025
Key Takeaways Colleges generally do not directly consider attendance in admissions decisions. Attendance affects GPA and participation, which are important for college applications. Regular class attendance can help you earn strong recommendation letters. Attending class helps you learn, meet deadlines, and stay on track for graduation. Good attendance can support your extracurricular participation and academic …
college comparisons, questions & answers

Graduate vs Undergraduate – What’s the Difference?

By Hilary CairnsLast updated on April 29, 2026
Key takeaways Undergraduate college students are students pursuing their associate or bachelor’s degree. Graduate students are working towards a master’s degree, professional degree, or doctorate degree. While undergraduate studies cover broad and foundational education in a specific field, graduate studies build upon the previous program of study. Undergrads may earn a median salary of $57,000-$80,000, …
Two students reading and studying for an AP exam.
questions & answers

Document-Based Question (DBQ) and How Ace Your Essay

By Gallagher, CatherinePublished on August 7, 2024
DBQ stands for Document-Based Question. The document-based question appears on select AP exams including the AP U.S. History, AP World History, and AP European History exams. Each exam incudes one DBQ section. If you plan to take any of these tests, it’s important to understand what DBQ stands for and how to write the essay to …
questions & answers

What Does It Mean to Be a Sophomore?

By College Raptor StaffPublished on June 21, 2024
Sophomore year is your “second year” in either high school or college. It’s a pivotal time as the excitement and novelty of being a freshman has worn off, and the reality of more advanced coursework and increased expectations begins to set in. This period is sometimes referred to as the “Sophomore Slump,” and can lead …

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