questions & answers

Advice From Your High School Counselor

By Hilary CairnsLast updated on December 22, 2022

Your high school counselor wants you to start early, ask questions, and get the right start in life, but when is the last time you’ve been to your high school counselor? High school advisers are there to help you make the most of high school and start their journey after school. Whether that’s straight into …

questions & answers

College Prep: 9th Grade College Planning Checklist

By Hilary CairnsLast updated on May 31, 2023

Did you know that students shouldn’t wait until their junior or senior years to start prepping for college? That’s right! Younger students should be prepping, too. So, what should 9th graders be doing to prepare for college? When you’re just entering high school, you should focus on your interests, create a plan for your high …

questions & answers

Comparing Award Letters: Financial Aid Offer Comparison Tool FAQ

By Hilary CairnsLast updated on March 6, 2023

Comparing award letters can be confusing. And comparing school A to school B even more so. Our Financial Aid Offer Comparison tool cuts through complex and confusing language and makes comparing financial aid offers so much easier. Most importantly, it gives you a clearcut comparison based on net price and expected debt at graduation. Here …

myths, questions & answers

15 Things to Know Before Going to College

By College Raptor StaffLast updated on November 18, 2025

Key Takeaways: The transition from high school to college is a major change that brings new experiences and greater responsibilities. To make the transition easier financially, it helps to set budgets, understand financial aid options, and take advantage of free campus resources. Get the most out of your experience by going to school events, trying …

college admissions, questions & answers

How To Prepare for A College Interview

By College Raptor StaffLast updated on January 22, 2024

Not all colleges require interviews, but if you applied to one that does, it’s not unusual to be a little intimidated. Lots of questions could likely be asked. To ease your nerves, we’ve put together a list of questions you can expect plus seven preparation tips. As with any big event, the key to being …

questions & answers

Deadlines – How Important Are They?

By Hilary CairnsLast updated on December 22, 2022

No matter where you are in life, there are going to be deadlines. There are going to be due dates for your homework and projects, work obligations, taxes, driver’s licenses, and more. It’s vital to learn the importance of deadlines and sticking to them early on. Here are just a few consequences of constantly failing …

questions & answers

What Is A Doctoral Degree?

By College Raptor StaffLast updated on December 22, 2022

A doctoral degree, also known as a doctorate, is the highest academic degree you can earn in the US. Completing a doctoral degree indicates that you have achieved a specialized level of authority in your field. You will earn the title of ‘Doctor’ on completing this degree. (Therefore, not everyone with the title of Doctor …

questions & answers

What Is An Associate’s Degree?

By College Raptor StaffLast updated on August 11, 2025

Key Takeaways: Students who graduate from a community college often earn an associate’s, a 2-year undergraduate degree. Some careers, such as dental hygienist and veterinary technician, require an associate’s degree. Students typically use their associate’s to enter the workforce or to transfer to a 4-year institution for their bachelor’s. Associate’s degrees are 2-year degrees, often …

questions & answers

What Is the Average GPA in America?

By College Raptor StaffLast updated on October 27, 2025

Key Takeaways The average high school GPA in America is 3.0, roughly a B average. The average college GPA in America is slightly higher at around 3.15. GPA is an important measure of academic performance, but it doesn’t entirely define your abilities. Colleges and scholarships often consider other factors like extracurriculars, essays, and test scores. …

questions & answers

What Exactly Is A Bachelor’s Degree?

By College Raptor StaffLast updated on December 22, 2022

Whether you’re graduating high school or an international student looking to study in the United States, you’ve likely heard about “Bachelor’s Degrees.” But what are they? How are they different from other degrees? And what benefits do you get from them? We’ll answer these questions and more in this article that covers everything you need …