One of the biggest mistakes students make is assuming that admissions outcomes are predictable. In the past few years, even highly qualified applicants are seeing surprising results at every level of college. That's why building a balanced college list has never been more important.

“Should you submit your AP scores to colleges? Most students are guessing wrong.” Every spring, families start stressing over AP exam scores and whether they should send them to colleges during the admissions process. The surprising reality? AP scores are optional at most colleges — and submitting them is not always the right move.

For many students interested in engineering, the admissions process can feel discouraging before it even begins. Headlines about ultra-selective universities, near-perfect GPAs, and intense competition often create the impression that engineering is reserved only for straight-A students. That simply is not true.