All Getting in Articles

Students in a marching band lined up, holding their instruments.
questions & answers

How Many Extracurricular Activities Should I Be Doing? Is More, More? Or Is More, Less?

By College Raptor StaffLast updated on September 24, 2024
Key Takeaways When considering extracurricular activities in high school, it is all about quality over quantity. By participating in fewer activities outside of class, you can commit to staying involved. Don’t join a club or organization just to add it to your college application—admission officers are looking for dedicated students. While applying to colleges, many …
Congratulations on being accepted into college! However, it was more than just your GPA and test scores that got you in.
myths

College Myth: Colleges Only Care About GPA and Test Scores

By Olivia PittmanLast updated on December 22, 2022
GPA and test scores are the most quantifiable aspects of a college application. This makes them easy to compare–and may explain why applicants tend to place so much Iemphasis on them. While these ARE important, they’re not the only things that colleges consider when reviewing your application. In fact, just consider that many schools will receive thousands …
A big stop sign hanging on a pole.
college admissions

How to Deal With College Rejection Letters: 6 Steps

By Hilary CairnsLast updated on May 22, 2024
College rejection letters can hurt. If you get one, stay calm and keep your head up. You have options. If you’ve received a college rejection letter, you should consider writing appeal letter while also celebrating the acceptance letters you do receive. Here’s how you can approach this disappointment. Why Do Colleges Reject Students? The reason …
What should you do if you've been waitlisted?
college applications

What to Do If You’re Waitlisted by a College

By Hilary CairnsLast updated on February 25, 2025
As your college acceptance letters roll in, you’re probably wondering, “Am I accepted or rejected?” But there’s always that middle ground that could happen, too – waitlisted. So what should you do if you’re waitlisted for a class? And what shouldn’t you do? We’ll answer those two questions below. What Are College Waitlists? When a …
Photograph of college mail sent to prospective students. If you're on a college mailing list, they're more likely to accept you, right?
myths

Myth: Colleges That Send Me Mail Are Likely to Accept Me

By Olivia PittmanLast updated on December 22, 2022
Many students assume the colleges which send them marketing materials in the mail are their best options. This isn’t necessarily true. In fact, some colleges send out millions of pieces of mail each year (not very targeted). Other schools only send out very little. Bottom line: being on a college mailing list does not necessarily …
Comparison showing that Cornell University and Northeastern University have similar academic profiles but much different selectivity or admissions rate
myths

Myth: I Should Go to the Most Selective College that Accepts Me

By Olivia PittmanLast updated on December 22, 2022
It’s easy to convince yourself as a college applicant that the most important characteristic of a college is its selectivity or prestige. No matter how envious your friends may be if you’re accepted into selective colleges, it doesn’t mean you’ll ultimately be happy there. Here are some of the problems with judging colleges only by …

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