tips tools & advice

How To Write a Thesis Statement (With Examples)

By College Raptor StaffPublished on October 1, 2024

Key Takeaways A thesis statement is the sentence at the end of your introduction. It states your position on your topic and summarizes your overall argument. To write a strong thesis statement, you’ll need to start by phrasing your topic as a question. Then, answer it to get a clear stance and add specific details …

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Timeless Knowledge: The 15 Oldest Universities in the World

By College Raptor StaffLast updated on September 15, 2025

Key Takeaway The world’s oldest universities were founded as far back as the 9th century. Many of them began as religious or law schools before expanding their disciplines. These schools have shaped global education for centuries. From Oxford and Cambridge to Al Quaraouiyine and Salamanca, these universities are more than just old. They’re still active, …

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The Common Data Set: Insight into College Applications & Admissions

By Hilary CairnsPublished on September 16, 2024

Key Takeaway: The Common Data Set (CDS) initiative is a collaboration of schools, publishers, and the higher education community to publish data relevant to college students, application processes, financial aid, and more. Common Data Set can provide insight into acceptance rates, SAT/ACT scores, college costs, and factors that can influence a student’s decision on whether …

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 …

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Discovering UCLA: What Sets it Apart

By College Raptor StaffPublished on September 9, 2024

The University of California Los Angeles (UCLA) is a public research university located in Los Angeles, California. From its world class faculty, dynamic academic programs, and cutting-edge research facilities to its vibrant campus life and illustrious alumni, UCLA has earned a reputation for overall excellence. UCLA is part of the University of California system, along …

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The 50 Best Colleges To Transfer to

By College Raptor StaffLast updated on October 1, 2024

Key Takeaway If you are thinking about transferring, start by checking out this list of 50 transfer-friendly schools to get an idea of where you have the best chances of being accepted. Make sure the school offers your major, has a good credit transfer policy, and feels like a place where you’ll be happy. Look …

student life, tips tools & advice

How Book Subscription Services Can Help Save You Money on College Textbooks

By College Raptor StaffPublished on August 28, 2024

Book subscription services are a type of subscription service created especially for college textbooks. If you have a Netflix subscription, or maybe a Hulu or Disney+ subscription, you have an idea of how these services work. Book services work in a similar manner but instead of entertainment, these services revolve around digital textbooks for college …

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Graduate vs Undergraduate – What’s the Difference?

By Hilary CairnsPublished on August 16, 2024

Undergraduate college students are students who are pursuing their associate’s degree or their bachelor’s degree. Graduate college students are working towards a master’s degree, professional degree, or doctorate degree. While many universities have both undergraduates and graduates attending, the experience of these students can vary quite a bit. Below, we’ve compared graduate vs undergraduate programs …

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15 Key Pieces of Advice from Parents to Their College Bound Kids

By College Raptor StaffLast updated on August 16, 2024

Key Takeaway: Starting college means starting a new chapter. And in a season filled with a lot of “new,” parents can be a valuable resource for advice, encouragement, and support. As you head off to college, we’ve gathered some advice and encouragement for academics, personal growth, time management, and friendships that we hope you take …

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 …