All Getting in Articles

Magnifying glass on paper is one way to find inspiration for common app prompts
college applications

How to Find College App Essay Inspiration

By Hilary CairnsLast updated on December 22, 2022
Are you struggling to find a topic for your college application essay? It isn’t always easy to settle on one idea, especially if the school didn’t give you a common app prompt. These three tips will help you find inspiration for your essay. Brainstorm One of the best things you can do for your college …
Student doing ACT / SAT prep
ACT & SAT

Daily ACT / SAT Prep Tips and Tricks

By Hilary CairnsLast updated on December 22, 2022
Although you should be setting aside a few hours every week to devote to ACT and SAT prep leading up to your test date, it doesn’t hurt to do a bit of studying on your off days. These daily tips will take just a few minutes every day, but can keep your mind fresh between …
A person holding a marker against a checklist.
college admissions

How to Finalize Your College Application Checklist

By Hilary CairnsLast updated on December 22, 2022
You have a list of colleges you’re interested in, but which do you apply to? You may have a list of 20 schools, but that doesn’t mean you should apply to all 20. Instead, you want to take time time to finalize your list. Here are some tips for ticking off your college application checklist. …
A close-up of a calendar.
ACT & SAT

When Is The Best Time To Take The ACT/SAT?

By College Raptor StaffLast updated on December 22, 2022
Ah, the ACT and SAT. The Big Two. It’s almost a right of passage for college-bound students. There’s plenty of material to study, and you’ll want to focus on that, but one question demands attention: When is the best time to take the test? Check out those ACT and SAT sign-up dates, because we’re about …
Actress Felicity Huffman charged in the admission cheating scandal
ACT & SAT

What You Need to Know About the College Admissions Cheating Scandal

By Hilary CairnsLast updated on December 22, 2022
(3/28/19) You’ve probably seen the college admissions cheating scandal in the news recently. Several students received guaranteed admission to colleges around the country after parents spent money to ensure their acceptance. Here’s what you need to know: What Did the Cheating Involve? There were a few different types of cheating going on. One method would …
There are a few myths around the PSAT and your PSAT scores that you should know about
myths

6 Myths about the PSAT

By College Raptor StaffLast updated on November 20, 2023
The Preliminary SAT, or PSAT, is a standardized test that often serves as a practice run for the SAT. While it may provide valuable insights into your strengths and weaknesses, there are several myths and misconceptions surrounding the test that may create unnecessary stress and confusion. Let’s debunk some of those myths to help you …
A student holding the letter H, spelling out "hello."
college applications

How to Write an Essay About Yourself: College App Introductions

By Hilary CairnsLast updated on October 24, 2024
Wondering how to write an essay about yourself? Many college-bound students are faced with this intimidating task. A college application essay is an exciting opportunity to show schools who you really are—apart from your grades and transcripts. And, since over 2,000 schools no longer require test scores, your essay is one of the best ways to …
High school student sitting at a desk with a laptop.
ACT & SAT

Why “Cramming” Doesn’t Work for the SAT and ACT

By Hilary CairnsLast updated on December 22, 2022
If you have an SAT and ACT coming up, you might think it’s a good idea to just “cram” the few days and nights before, rather than studying the weeks prior. You may even believe you can just look over everything the evening before and be good to go. This isn’t a solid plan and …

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