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, …

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 …

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, …

questions & answers

What Does Test-Flexible and Test-Required Mean?

By Allison WignallLast updated on December 22, 2022

Though the names themselves might be somewhat self-explanatory, many are surprised to hear that some colleges don’t actually require incoming students to submit ACT / SAT scores. Yes, you read that correctly. With all the emphasis put on ACT / SAT prep, test day, and results, it might seem strange that some colleges don’t actually …

questions & answers

What is an Independent College Counselor?

By Liz SkogerboeLast updated on December 22, 2022

Maybe you’ve heard of them, and maybe you haven’t. Sometimes referred to as Independent Educational Consultants, these counselors are frequently self-employed, or otherwise, work for consulting businesses. Independent College Counselors work to help students and their families navigate the college search and application process. Who do they work with? Counselors typically work with families that …

questions & answers

What Exactly is College Readiness and Why Does It Matter?

By Hilary CairnsLast updated on April 23, 2025

Key Takeaways: College readiness is a series of benchmarks high school graduates should meet before heading to college. Students should have a well-rounded education in a variety of subjects, along with self-awareness and various skills, including critical thinking and communication. Schools measure a student’s college readiness by looking at their GPA, academic rigor, social skills, …

questions & answers

Pros and Cons of Graduating High School a Year Early

By College Raptor StaffLast updated on April 23, 2025

Key Takeaways – Pros and Cons of Graduating Early: Graduating high school early can be difficult but worth it for students who want to enter the workforce or go to college early. Pros of graduating high school early include getting a head start on college, more engaging courses, and the potential for saving money. However, …

college applications, questions & answers

What is the Coalition Application?

By Hilary CairnsLast updated on December 22, 2022

You’ve probably heard of the Common Application, but what about the Coalition Application? It came out a few years ago, and it may be worth your time to explore the differences. Here’s what you need to know about the Coalition Application, its pros and cons, and how it stacks up against the Common App. What …

questions & answers

What is a First-Generation College Student?

By College Raptor StaffLast updated on July 24, 2024

A first-generation college student is generally the first person in an immediate family to go to college. However, the definition can change depending on the college! But being classified as a first-generation college student can come with quite a few perks and it’s important you know what to expect during the application process and how …

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 …