All Getting in Articles

Student reaching up - it's important to have reach, match, and safety schools on your college list
college applications

5 reasons you should apply to reach schools

By College Raptor StaffLast updated on November 7, 2025
Key Takeaways: Reach schools are colleges where you have a lower chance of acceptance – below 40% – often due to lower academic scores. You should still apply to reach colleges as admissions counselors look beyond GPAs and SAT/ACT scores, reviewing extracurriculars, character, and more. You can boost your acceptance chances with well-written essays, demonstrated …
Student studying and learning how to take a test
ACT & SAT

12 Helpful Standardized Testing Tips

By College Raptor StaffLast updated on August 4, 2025
Key Takeaway Preparing for the ACT or SAT can feel like a lot. After all, these scores may play a part in your college admissions. Take a deep breath—with the right strategies, you can approach test day feeling confident and ready. Here are standardized testing tips to help you do your best. Read the Directions …
A student sitting at a desk with a laptop.
college applications

3 Things to Do After You Submit Your College Applications

By Hilary CairnsLast updated on December 22, 2022
After submitting your college application, you’re not quite done with the whole “college preparation” thing. There’s plenty of other tasks that need to be completed! Here are three more to work on: Completing College Interviews Many colleges have interviews as part of the college application process. Some may be mandatory, while others are listed as …
Textbooks on a desk with an iPad laying on an open textbook.
college applications

Pros And Cons Of Taking AP Tests

By College Raptor StaffLast updated on December 22, 2022
Advanced Placement or AP classes offer ambitious high school students a great way to boost their college applications. Over 60% of high schools in the US offer a list of AP classes. If your high school doesn’t, you could still boost your college application by signing up for the most challenging courses that your high …
Oregon State University campus - do high college acceptance rates equate the the quality of the school?
myths

Myth: Colleges with High Acceptance Rates Aren’t as Good

By College Raptor StaffLast updated on March 28, 2025
Many equate the acceptance rate to the quality of the school. As a result, they believe a school with a low acceptance rate is “good,” while one with a higher acceptance rate is “bad.”  While college acceptance rates can help you understand how competitive a college is, it doesn’t always correlate to the quality of …
Student on campus - choosing early action vs early decision makes a big difference
questions & answers

What Are the Advantages of Applying EA or ED?

By College Raptor StaffLast updated on December 22, 2022
Some of your classmates are choosing early application and others are considering early decision, but you are not sure whether either one is right for you. That’s not surprising. Many students are not sure how they may benefit by applying EA or ED and whether they should choose either of these routes. Understanding early action …
A notebook, pencils, paperclips and protractors scattered on a desk.
myths

Myth: The ACT is Easier than the SAT

By Hilary CairnsLast updated on December 22, 2022
If you’re a high school student planning on going to college, you know you need to take either the ACT or SAT. Most colleges accept either the ACT or SAT, so that’s good. But you may be wondering “Is the ACT easier than the SAT?” It’s actually a common misconception that the ACT test is …

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