All College Admissions Articles

A valedictorian is the student with the highest academic achievements in their graduating class.
college admissions

What Exactly is a Valedictorian and How Do You Become One?

By Hilary CairnsPublished on August 28, 2024
Key Takeaways: A valedictorian is the student with the highest academic achievements in their graduating class. Valedictorians are generally determined by using unweighted GPA, weighted GPA, or class rank. To become a valedictorian, you’ll want plan early, study often, focus on academic rigor, and ask for help when needed. Are you one of the highest …
Summer activities, like doing volunteer work, can impress college admissions.
college admissions

How Many Volunteer Hours Do You Really Need for College?

By College Raptor StaffPublished on August 20, 2024
Key Takeaway: If you’re considering volunteering in high school, you might wonder how many hours you’ll need for your college application. While 50-200 hours is typical, the focus should be on your motivation for volunteering rather than the exact number of hours. Colleges value genuine passion for giving back to the community and making a …
college admissions, questions & answers

How to Get Good Grades

By Hilary CairnsPublished on August 16, 2024
Whether you’re in high school or college, grades matter. They can impact your acceptance chances to higher education institutions, scholarship offers, merit aid opportunities, and even job prospects after graduation. It can also affect your self-esteem while improving your foundational knowledge that leads to success later in the classroom and in life in general. But …
Student taking an online test at home.
college admissions

A Guide to The High School Equivalency Test (HiSet)

By Hilary CairnsPublished on July 3, 2024
You’ve likely heard of the GED, but did you know you have another option when it comes to getting the equivalent of a high school diploma? The HiSET, or High School Equivalency Test, is an exam that can open the door to new opportunities, including higher education and careers that require a high school degree. …
college admissions

How to Get Into UVA if You Live Out of State

By College Raptor StaffPublished on July 1, 2024
For the fall 2022 enrollment cycle, the out of state acceptance rate at UVA (University of Virginia) was 32%. So, what does this mean for non-Virginians aspiring to get into this prestigious university? If you’re a non-Virginian, a 32% out of state acceptance rate means it could be difficult to get into UVA, but definitely …
Here's how to pick the right college for athletes
college admissions

NCSA: Connecting Student Athletes with College Coaches

By Hilary CairnsPublished on June 10, 2024
Next College Student Athlete (NCSA) is a recruiting platform that helps connect students with coaches. It can streamline the recruiting process and make it easier for students to understand their options as a student-athlete. If you’re thinking about continuing your favorite sport during your college years, here’s what you need to know about the NCSA, …
What SAT or ACT scores do you need to get into Harvard?
college admissions

How Many People Apply To Harvard Each Year?

By College Raptor StaffPublished on June 4, 2024
In the 2024 application cycle (and 2023 early admission cycle) 54,008 people applied to Harvard. Of those that applied only 1,937 students were accepted – that’s 3.58% acceptance rate and one of the lowest in the country. According the the Harvard Gazette, this makes it the fourth year running that the school has received over …

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