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Multiple people's hand grabbing another person's wrist to form a ring.
questions & answers

What is a College Legacy Student?

By Allison WignallLast updated on December 22, 2022
Simply put, a legacy is a student at a college who has family ties to an alumnus of that institution. Perhaps the student’s mother or father attended that university when they were younger. The family of legacy students–or “legacies”–typically have a loyalty to that school and the pride that comes along with it. What does …
ACT-SAT-Tips
ACT & SAT

Colleges that don’t require the SAT or ACT

By Hilary CairnsLast updated on June 2, 2026
Key takeaways: Over 2,000 colleges and universities offering bachelor’s degrees have adopted test-optional policies for the SAT or ACT, while 75 institutions are entirely test-free. Some top test-optional schools include the University of Chicago, Columbia University, and Northwestern University. Even if a school is test-optional, they may still recommend submitting standardized test scores – doing …
A person holding a pencil.
myths

College Myth: Elite Colleges Prefer SAT over ACT

By Kali SlaymakerLast updated on December 22, 2022
The ACT vs SAT. A battle of the standardized tests. If you’re in college, thinking about college, or know anything about college- you’ve heard of them. You think they’re the same, right? Wrong. The ACT and SAT are both college entrance exams but have different components. The SAT’s test structure includes math, reading, writing and …
Infographic showing states that prefer ACT or SAT
ACT & SAT

Preference of the ACT or SAT by State (Infographic)

By College Raptor StaffLast updated on January 7, 2026
Key Takeaways Colleges don’t favor the SAT over the ACT or vice versa. The most important factor is the score of the test you take. States, however, do tend to have regional testing preferences. Some states lean heavily ACT, others lean SAT, and many fall somewhere in between. When choosing which entrance exam to take, …
As a parent, there are some do's and don'ts at college orientation.
college admissions

Do’s and Don’ts: Parents at College Orientation

By Nick RandleLast updated on December 22, 2022
College orientation is usually a surreal experience for both students and their parent(s). While you’re trying to situate your mind on how the next four years will play out on this campus, you’re also trying to process the ton of information tour guides are saying. As a parent, understand that your kid may be taken …
College student standing on top of a rock overlooking a lake.
questions & answers

Should I Take a Gap Year Before College?

By Ellen AndersenLast updated on December 22, 2022
There is a point in time in many high school students’ careers when every adult is suddenly asking them what they want to do with their lives. It is no longer the slightly endearing question “What do you want to be when you grow up?” Instead, it becomes “Where are you going to college? What …
Hello in many languages.
college applications

Why Learning a Second Language is So Important

By College Raptor StaffLast updated on December 22, 2022
Because English is a very popular language, American students tend to forget that other languages may be useful in their present and future life. People from Latin America, Asia, and Europe learn English as their second language at a very early age and start studying it once they get into primary school. Learning a second …

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