college search, student life

Cold weather colleges: 10 awesome picks for skiing and winter fun

By College Raptor StaffLast updated on November 20, 2025

Key takeaways Some of the best colleges for skiing and winter fun include Michigan Technological University, the University of Denver, and Dartmouth College. Cold-weather campuses come with built-in perks, like nearby slopes, snow festivals, and thriving outdoor clubs. Whether you like small towns or big cities, there’s a perfect snowy fit for every student. Schools …

college search, student life

30 + Beautiful Beachside Colleges

By Hilary CairnsLast updated on December 6, 2024

Do you love spending time near the ocean? Want to attend a school with a coastal view? Want to head to the beach during your downtime? Thankfully, there are plenty of beachside colleges in the United States! In this list, we’ve included some beachside colleges that see warm weather year-round and others that get a …

college search, student life

Does Location Determine College Choices? If So, How Much?

By adminLast updated on December 21, 2022

Choosing a college is no easy decision. There are several factors you need to take into consideration, the most important of which is the curriculum. Making sure that the college you choose offers your preferred major is a top priority. Other factors to consider are the cost of tuition, campus size, extracurricular activities offered, and …

student life

College Dorm Room Essentials for Your Christmas Wishlist

By Hilary CairnsLast updated on January 27, 2026

Putting together your Christmas Wishlist? It’s a great idea to make sure you have your spring college dorm room essentials! Maybe your friends had them in the fall you want them now too! No matter what the case is, these are great gift ideas awesome additions to the ultimate dorm room. A Compact Vacuum With …

student life

Are Colleges Requiring COVID-19 Vaccinations?

By Hilary CairnsLast updated on December 21, 2022

If you’re getting ready to attend college in the fall, you may have to get a few vaccinations before the first semester. MMR and HPV are two common ones that are already requested by colleges. You may be wondering though – are colleges requiring COVID-19 vaccinations? It Depends on the State Whether or not your …

student life

5 Things Seniors Can Do This Summer to Prep For College

By Hilary CairnsLast updated on December 22, 2022

Congratulations on graduating high school! Though you should definitely take some time for yourself this summer, you don’t want to put off college prep too long. There are a few things you’ll need to do to ensure your first semester starts without a hitch and is less stressful overall. Here are 5 things seniors can …

student life

What is College Orientation?

By Allison WignallLast updated on May 30, 2025

Key Takeaways: College orientation introduces incoming first year students to the school, with presentations, fun games, and class scheduling. Orientation sessions usually last between a few hours and three days, depending on the college. Register for orientation as soon as possible to secure the best dates. As you finish the last weeks of high school …

student life

What are the Graduating Latin Honors for College Students?

By College Raptor StaffLast updated on December 22, 2022

Graduating with Latin honors is an indication of academic achievement beyond completion of the basic requirements for earning a college degree. There are three levels of graduating honors – Cum laude, Magna cum laude, and Summa cum laude. Types of Graduating Latin Honors & Minimum Requirements for Each The exact requirements for each honor level …

student life

How Do Online College Classes Work?

By College Raptor StaffLast updated on December 22, 2022

This transition from traditional to the virtual classroom hasn’t been easy for everyone. It takes time to adjust to a new learning platform. If this is your first experience with online college classes, it helps to know what to expect. Here’s how online college classes work. Structure of Online Classes The exact structure of online classes …

student life

Building a College Class Schedule: Spacing Vs Blocking

By Hilary CairnsLast updated on December 22, 2022

Curious about building a college class schedule? Blocking and spacing both have their pros and cons. Here are some things to remember as you pick and choose your classes and times. Block Scheduling Block scheduling is very similar to high school schedules, where you attend one class and immediately head to the next after the …