All Getting in Articles

Colleges are looking for prospective students with grit.
college admissions

What Colleges Look For In Students: GRIT

By Lynell EngelmyerLast updated on December 22, 2022
Some four-letter words could get you in trouble; they might earn you detention or garner a reprimand from your parents. However, there is a particular four-letter word that is actually quite appealing. Not only do colleges want you to say this word, but they also want you to demonstrate it, embrace it, and live it. …
Student pencils in multiple choice answers on their ACT exam.
ACT & SAT

FREE Resources for ACT/SAT Test Prep

By College Raptor StaffLast updated on December 20, 2023
There’s no doubt about it, the ACT and SAT are incredibly important tests. With so much potentially riding on your score—college admittance, scholarships, potential jobs or internships, and more—you’ll want to be as ready as possible when test day comes. And even if your dream school has gone “test optional,” it may still be a …
A group of students standing together in front of a chalk board.
college admissions

8 Awesome Organizations that Help Students in Low-Income Households go to College

By Hilary CairnsLast updated on January 10, 2024
College degrees are more important than ever. Data on LinkedIn found that just over 70% of paid job offerings require at least an associate’s degree or bachelor’s degree. While this has actually dropped since 2019 (it was nearly 80%), there’s no denying that a majority of companies want college graduates. And with college grads averaging …
Female college student scratching her head due to stress.
ACT & SAT

12 Tips to Crush ACT or SAT Test Anxiety

By College Raptor StaffLast updated on January 30, 2025
Test anxiety is something that many students experience—especially those who are college-bound. Even though ACT and SAT scores are just one piece of the college admissions puzzle, the pressure can feel intense. Whether it stems from fear of failure, high expectations, or low self-esteem, test anxiety can really affect your ability to perform. However, there …
Books, cellphone, notebook and calculator piled up.
college admissions

Why Test Scores Matter in College Admissions

By Jessica VelascoLast updated on December 22, 2022
Test scores still matter. Even as more colleges are going test-optional, they are still very important in college admissions. In addition, just because a college does not use test scores when making admissions decisions, they may need test scores for other reasons. Here are seven ways they are used in the college admissions process: 1. …
Photograph of college students volunteering.
college admissions

Why Volunteering Matters for College Admissions

By Carlos CanoLast updated on December 22, 2022
Among the many questions I field regarding the college admissions process, one of them is among the most popular: “Is it important that I do volunteering work while I am in high school?” The short answer is: Yes, it does matter. However, like many things in the admissions process, there is more substance to that …
A pair of glasses sitting on top of a journal.
questions & answers

How Many Times Should I Take the ACT or SAT?

By Hilary CairnsLast updated on December 22, 2022
First: There is no magic number for how many times a student should take the ACT or SAT. For some students, taking the test once may be enough. Others may need to take the test twice or even three times. There are no penalties for taking the tests multiple times or choosing to take both …
A student writing in a notebook with an orange pen.
questions & answers

Should I Take IB Classes in High School? How to Determine if International Baccalaureate Courses Are Right For You

By Jessica VelascoLast updated on December 22, 2022
International Baccalaureate, or IB, classes, are a bit like AP classes, but not entirely. It depends on a lot of factors if you should take an IB class in high school. We’ll highlight those factors below. Students may be confused when they have the opportunity to choose between IB and Advanced Placement (AP) courses. Here …

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