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How do you choose which college essay topic you want to write on
college applications

How to Choose a College Application Essay Topic

By Tom JagerLast updated on December 22, 2022
A special time comes along with the fall of your senior year. Most of your written papers and other projects are completed and students are getting ready for some major work that will determine their future in college. Colleges end up rejecting many of those students because of the application essay topic they pick due …
What is a college writing center and how do students benefit from it?
questions & answers

What are College Writing Centers?

By Rose ScottLast updated on December 22, 2022
If you think that college writing centers are only for those who dream of becoming the next romantic William Shakespeare or horrifying Stephen King, you are on the wrong track. A college student’s journey entails a lot of writing tasks, whether it is a lab report, research paper, or essay. Having a friend or classmate …
Student taking pictures of violet flowers on the ground.
questions & answers

What Are College Electives and Why are They Important?

By College Raptor StaffLast updated on October 23, 2023
When selecting your college courses, you will typically have three categories to choose from. The first is general education requirements, which all students are required to take. The second is courses required for specific majors. Under this category, you’ll choose from courses that are relevant to the specific major you’re pursuing. The third is electives, …
A chalk drawing of a clock, with text next to the right that says "how many credit hours should you take?"
questions & answers

How Many Credit Hours Should I Take?

By College Raptor StaffLast updated on July 18, 2025
Key Takeaways: To graduate with a bachelor’s degree in four years, you should take 15 credits a semester. Students generally need to take 120 credit hours total to receive a bachelor’s degree. Associate’s degrees often only require 60 credits. How many credit hours you need to take depends on your graduation timeline, schedule, and the …
Take these steps to increase your college readiness
college applications

How to Increase Your College Readiness

By Ellen AndersenLast updated on December 22, 2022
We’ve done a post on what college readiness means. Now it’s time to address how to increase your college readiness so that you are as prepared as possible for your new life chapter. And remember, the skills that will get you by in college will also be used in the workplace. So maybe we should …
Even if you're a nontraditional student, you're still like any other student at the end of the day.
questions & answers

What Makes a Person a Nontraditional Student?

By Ellen AndersenLast updated on December 22, 2022
Depending on your chosen college, you might hear quite a bit about “nontraditional” students. These are students who are considered to be outside the “normal” parameters for college students. And believe me, it doesn’t take much to be outside those parameters. If your typical college student is full-time, straight out of high school into college, …
Are you considering taking both the ACT and SAT? There are ACT and SAT pros and cons
ACT & SAT

Pros and Cons: Taking Both the ACT and SAT

By Allison WignallLast updated on December 22, 2022
Typically, a student will take either the ACT or the SAT as their college entrance exam. However, a growing trend shows that more and more high schools students are taking both tests. Are you considering taking one or both the ACT or SAT? If you’re thinking about the latter, here are some ACT or SAT …

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