college admissions

4-Year Colleges with Open Admission

By Hilary CairnsLast updated on November 30, 2023

College acceptance (or rejection) letters can be a source of stress for many applicants. For other students, they may not have achieved the grades needed to get into selective schools and don’t necessarily want to start out at a community college. But have you heard of “open admission colleges?”  Open admission colleges are schools that …

college admissions

A Guide to College Planning Advisors

By College Raptor StaffPublished on September 18, 2023

Using paid college planning advisors certainly has its benefits but it’s not necessary for everyone. Some students manage to get clarity on college planning by researching online resources. However, others find that sifting through the amount of information available on the internet can be overwhelming. That’s not entirely surprising considering the number of colleges scattered …

college admissions, questions & answers

Guide to Khan Academy (And How It Can Help Your Education)

By College Raptor StaffPublished on August 22, 2023

For the classroom-loving students in the room, more school outside of school may sound super fun. And for the not-so-classroom-loving students, it may not sound so appealing. Regardless of how you initially feel, it can boost your education. Let’s rewrite the script on outside-of-the-classroom learning. This resource may just become your new best friend so …

college admissions, questions & answers

College Raptor’s College Planning Guide

By Hilary CairnsLast updated on May 30, 2024

Preparing and planning for college takes time, and it can be tough to keep track of everything you need to do. A checklist, like this one from College Raptor, can help you stay organized. In this guide, though, we’ll take it a step further and dive into everything you need to know about college planning. …

college admissions

Do Colleges Reject “Overqualified” Students?

By Hilary CairnsPublished on May 5, 2023

You may have heard from a friend of a friend that they were rejected from Harvard University even though they had a perfect application! Or you heard from a 2nd cousin on the other side of the family that their cousin was rejected from a school with a 50% acceptance rate simply because they were …

college admissions

April College Planning Calendar

By College Raptor StaffPublished on April 25, 2023

April is such an important month for high school students who are planning to go to college, but it can be overwhelming to keep track of all of the academic calendar dates. Since there are so many dates to keep up with during this busy time of the year, we suggest having a college planning …

college admissions, questions & answers

“Should I Graduate College Early?”: The Pros and Cons

By College Raptor StaffPublished on April 17, 2023

If you are eager to enter the work world and asking yourself: “should I graduate college early?” make sure you consider these pros and cons. Graduating college early can be very tempting, especially if you’re feeling burnt out or just want to be done with school. We get it, you’ve been in school for the …

college admissions

The “Why [this] major” Essay Guide

By College Raptor StaffPublished on April 5, 2023

When you’re applying for college, a lot of schools will use the Common App or Common Application essay prompts. It may seem nerve-wracking to have to write on one of these common supplemental essay prompts, especially when it asks about which major you want to choose. We’ve come up with essay guides on the “Why …

college admissions, questions & answers

20 Awesome Podcasts for High School and College Students

By College Raptor StaffLast updated on July 24, 2025

More than ever, podcasts are the go-to source for advice. Here are twenty of our top podcast picks for high school and college students. From self-help to academic wisdom, these podcasts are engaging, insightful, and genuinely impactful for listeners. Plus, they’re easy to fit into your day, whether you’re studying, driving, working out, or just …

college admissions

Can a High School Dropout go to College: Step-by-Step Guide

By College Raptor StaffLast updated on September 25, 2025

Key Takeaways High school dropouts can still go to college. Earning a high school equivalency diploma, like a GED or HiSET, is the first step. Most colleges accept a GED or HiSET as a high school diploma. Planning, testing, and research can help you reach your education and career goals. Dropping out of high school …