college admissions

Juniors: Things Your School Counselor Wants You to Know

By Hilary CairnsLast updated on December 22, 2022

Juniors in high school: Have you talked to your guidance counselor recently? Many only see their assigned counselor once a year as dictated by the school. There are 3 common things your school counselor wants you to know. 3 Things your school counselor wants you to know They’re There to Help You You likely see …

college admissions

Junior Year Checklist: Your College Prep Guide

By Hilary CairnsLast updated on July 7, 2025

Key Takeaways: Start listing colleges, majors, and careers that interest you during your junior year of high school. Most juniors take the PSAT in October, but plan to take your first SAT/ACT in the spring. Talk to your parents about affording college and start creating a financial plan to help you tackle the cost. College …

college admissions

What’s a College Preparation Service?

By College Raptor StaffLast updated on December 22, 2022

A college preparation service is a specific type of counseling or guidance service that focuses on helping high school students successfully navigate the college admissions process. For high school students, applying to college can be overwhelming and stressful and that’s not surprising. Not only is the college application process long and confusing, but it is …

college admissions

Online Volunteer Opportunities

By Hilary CairnsLast updated on December 22, 2022

Whether you don’t have a car, don’t have time to travel, or there aren’t any volunteer opportunities in your area, that doesn’t mean you’re out of luck! There are actually plenty of online volunteer opportunities available to high school and college students. Here are just a few to help you get started. Smithsonian Digital Volunteer …

college admissions

75 Volunteer and Community Service Ideas

By Hilary CairnsLast updated on October 23, 2024

Volunteering your time is a great way to give back to your community, and the good news is, there are a lot of ways you can help. If you’re wondering where to start, you’re in the right place. Whether it’s reading books at the library, delivering meals, or even volunteering online, consider your interests and …

college admissions, college applications

85 Extracurricular Activities for College Applications

By College Raptor StaffLast updated on August 1, 2024

Extracurriculars look great on college applications, but do colleges look for certain clubs or activities when you apply? The answer is yes and no! What you do during the club or activity is more important than the activity itself in some cases. Here’s a list of 7 extracurricular activities for college applications. It’s no secret …

college admissions, college applications

Early Decision II – What to Expect

By College Raptor StaffLast updated on February 13, 2024

Are you considering applying under Early Decision II? Or did you already send in your application and want to know what to expect now? We’ll run through the basics of this college application method and what you need to know for the coming weeks. Early Decision II is binding. Early Decision II follows the same …

college admissions, college applications

When Do College Acceptance Letters Arrive?

By College Raptor StaffLast updated on July 29, 2025

Once you’ve applied to colleges, the waiting game begins – waiting to hear back whether you’ve been accepted. For most students, college acceptance letters arrive in early spring, from mid-March to late April. However, students who applied through Early Action or Early Decision might hear back sooner. The exact date depends on when you applied …

college admissions, college applications

What Do You Do If You Were Accepted Under Early Decision?

By Hilary CairnsLast updated on December 22, 2022

If you applied under Early Decision, it’s likely that you have heard back from the college by now. Congratulations if you were accepted! You may be wondering what the next steps are in early decision acceptance. Your new school should be reaching out with those shortly if they haven’t already. But we’ll cover some of …

college admissions, college applications

What is the universal college application deadline?

By Hilary CairnsLast updated on November 20, 2025

Key takeaways: The universal application deadline is January 1 for regular decision submissions, but not every college uses this specific date. You’ll have to submit your application earlier if you wish to apply under Early Action or Early Decision. Most colleges won’t accept late submissions but may make exceptions for emergencies. Many colleges and universities …