college admissions, questions & answers

How Hard is it to Get Into Harvard?

By Hilary CairnsLast updated on November 4, 2024

Key Takeaways: Harvard is one of the most difficult schools to get into in the nation due to the fact that it is a highly ranked college (usually in the top 3 of overall rankings) and that the school receives over around 56,000 applications each year. That’s a high number relative to the only around …

college applications

How to Prepare for the Common App

By Hilary CairnsLast updated on December 21, 2022

You absolutely should take time to enjoy your summer, but if you’re a junior about to head to senior year, don’t forget about your college applications completely! You should actually complete a few steps over the coming weeks so you’re not scrambling at the last minute to get it all done. We recommend starting early, …

ACT & SAT

Best SAT Prep Books: Your Guide to Success

By College Raptor StaffLast updated on December 11, 2024

Studying for the SAT is like studying for anything else. We all have strengths that we can feel confident in, weaknesses that we need to work on, and strategies we like to use. Figuring out the best way to study and prepare for the SAT is important since so many other important decisions may rest …

college admissions, college applications

9 Important Dates and Deadlines to Know in High School

By Hilary CairnsLast updated on August 18, 2025

Your senior year of high school is sure going to be busy! Between college applications and finals, you have a lot to tackle. We’ve put together this list of important dates you’ll need to mark on your calendar so you can make sure you don’t miss any deadlines. You should have already completed at least …

college admissions, questions & answers

College Planning Timeline: Key Deadlines from Freshman Year to Senior Graduation

By Hilary CairnsLast updated on July 15, 2025

Key Takeaways: January 1 is a common regular decision deadline for college applications, but students who want to apply early often need to submit applications in November. During high school, students should complete a variety of tasks to prepare for college, including meetings with academic advisors and scholarship research. Colleges start sending out regular decision …

questions & answers

Why Isn’t There a Common App for Scholarships?

By Hilary CairnsLast updated on December 21, 2022

If you’re completing scholarship applications, you may be a bit overwhelmed by the number of forms you have to fill out and essays you need to complete. You wouldn’t be the first student to ask, “Why isn’t there a Common App for scholarships like there is for college applications?” Sadly, there are no standardized applications …

questions & answers

How Much Harder is High School Than Middle School?

By Hilary CairnsLast updated on December 21, 2022

As you get ready to head into freshman year of high school, there’s no doubt there are some jitters. That’s okay! You might be pleasantly surprised to learn, however, that high school isn’t necessarily harder, but it is certainly different. High School vs. Middle School: Is It That Much Harder? It’s natural for classes to …

questions & answers

Requesting Dorms: How to Play the Game

By Hilary CairnsLast updated on June 12, 2025

Key Takeaways Before requesting your dorm room, decide what type of housing best fits your lifestyle and preferences—a traditional single or double room, suite style, or apartment style. It’s important to understand how the dorm request process works at your school and know your preferences beforehand. While some will go by orientation dates, others will …

college admissions

High School Electives to Boost Your College Applications

By College Raptor StaffLast updated on December 21, 2022

When it comes to signing up for high school classes, choosing electives can be fun or overwhelming. Electives are one of the rare opportunities to step away from the required core classes that everyone has to take. Some people will sign up for certain electives simply because of an interest in the class. Other people …

ACT & SAT

Tips for Succeeding on the Writing Section of the ACT

By Hilary CairnsLast updated on December 21, 2022

The ACT Writing section is optional, but, if you sign up for it, that doesn’t mean you should wing it! Colleges and universities will see you’re taking the extra step to take this portion of the exam, but they’ll also want to see you score well. So succeeding on the writing section of the ACT …