questions & answers

Should You Apply Early Decision or Early Action When Financial Aid Matters?

By Hilary CairnsLast updated on March 2, 2026

Key takeaways: Accepted early decision students are expected to attend the college and will only receive a single financial aid offer letter. Early action is non-binding and a decision is needed until May 1, giving accepted students time to compare acceptance and financial aid awards. If you were accepted under early decision but didn’t receive …

ACT & SAT

6 Things Every Student and Parent Needs to Know About the New SAT

By Lauren GaggioliLast updated on June 7, 2023

The SAT has undergone a number of changes in the past 15 years, and it’s set to undergo some new ones in the next year! The biggest one is the fact that the SAT will no longer be done on paper – it will be entirely digital.  Here’s what you need to know about this …

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. …

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 …

ACT & SAT

Taking the PSAT and Qualifying for the National Merit Scholarship Program

By Jessica VelascoLast updated on December 22, 2022

Every October, over 1.5 million students are taking the PSAT/NMSQT. The Preliminary SAT is also the National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test. Some key things to know about this test: The PSAT/NMSQT tests critical reading, math and writing skills and has a maximum score of 240. Students who score high enough could qualify for the National …

college admissions

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

By Hilary CairnsLast updated on August 4, 2025

Key Takeaways: A majority of careers require an associate or bachelor’s degree. High tuition costs and limited resource access make it difficult for students from low-income households to go to college. Several organizations advocate for change, provide mentorship, and offer resources to improve college access for low-income families. Due to the high cost of college, …

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 …

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. …

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 …

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 …