college admissions, questions & answers

What is academic performance index (API)?

By College Raptor StaffPublished on September 18, 2026

Key takeaways The academic performance index (API) was California’s main method for measuring school performance from 1999 to 2013. API scores ranged from 200 to 1,000, with 800 being the state’s target for every school. The California School Dashboard officially replaced API in 2017, using multiple measures instead of a single score. The term “academic …

college admissions

When do waitlist decisions come out?

By Hilary CairnsLast updated on August 12, 2026

Key takeaways: Most waitlisted students hear back from colleges after May 1 and before the end of June, but you might not receive a decision until August. Admissions departments often post decisions to student online portals or notify them by email, but some call instead. You could potentially improve your chances of an acceptance letter …

college admissions

What is a college yield rate?

By Hilary CairnsLast updated on June 15, 2026

Key takeaways: A college yield rate is the percentage of accepted students who enrolled at the school. A school with a higher yield rate is often seen as more desirable, but institutions with lower rates can still offer outstanding programs. Colleges use the data to inform their acceptance rates, incoming class sizes, and available application …

college admissions

What is grade inflation, and why is everyone getting an A?

By College Raptor StaffLast updated on June 15, 2026

Key takeaways Grade inflation is when students receive higher grades for work that historically would have earned a B or a C. The most common grade in college today is an A-minus. This makes it hard to tell who is truly doing the best work. Schools feel pressure to maintain high graduation rates, and some …

college admissions

What is a prospective student?

By College Raptor StaffPublished on May 13, 2026

Key takeaways A prospective student is an individual considering or planning to attend a college or university. Prospective students can be high school seniors, transfer students, adults going back to school, and international students. A prospective student can make the most of the college search process by researching, visiting campuses, and exploring financial aid opportunities. …

college admissions, questions & answers

All about academic decile: A key to student success

By College Raptor StaffPublished on May 13, 2026

Key takeaways An academic decile groups data into 10 equal parts to compare and group academic performance of students within a school. In the U.S., deciles are often used for class rank in college admissions. In some countries, like New Zealand, deciles may be used to decide how much money schools get. While informative for …

college admissions, questions & answers

What is a Master of Public Health (MPH)?

By College Raptor StaffPublished on May 12, 2026

Key takeaways A Master of Public Health is a graduate degree that allows students to specialize in public health issues, including how to address and prevent them. Earning an MPH typically takes 18-24 months to complete, with 42-80 credit hours required. Those with an MPH may work as an epidemiologist, health policy analyst, biostatistician, health …

college admissions

College fly-in programs: how you can visit a campus for free

By College Raptor StaffLast updated on May 12, 2026

Key takeaways A college fly-in program is a short, fully-paid campus visit that lets a student check out campus life. College fly-in programs are a great way to meet students, ask questions, and see what it’s truly like to attend a school you’re thinking about. Many programs are designed for low-income or underrepresented students, but …

college admissions

Focused learning: a complete guide to specialized schools

By Hilary CairnsPublished on April 29, 2026

Key takeaways Specialized schools offer certificate and degree programs in a single major or area of study. Common types of specialized institutions include Art, Business, and Career Studies schools. Students can benefit from strong networks, experienced professors, and advanced resources, but changing your major may be difficult. Specialized schools tend to stick to one focused …

college admissions, college applications

How to get into a good college

By College Raptor StaffPublished on March 26, 2026

Key takeaways: A “good” college is the one that fits your goals, budget, and personality—not just the most famous name.  Your high school GPA and the difficulty of your courses are important parts of your college application.  A strong college essay and extracurriculars may help set you apart from other applicants.  Making a balanced college …