Most applicants think of grades, AP courses, SAT and ACT scores, essays and extracurricular activities as the heart of a successful application. But you'd often be wrong to underestimate the importance of demonstrated interest. The reality is that colleges want to admit students who are familiar with the school, are making an informed decision to apply, and are likely to accept an offer of admission. Learn more:
• Demonstrated Interest: What It Is and Why It Matters
• 8 Ways to Demonstrate Your Interest in a College
• 5 Bad Ways to Demonstrate Interest

If you took an AP exam this spring, the scores will be released sometime this week. The exact date depends on your state (see the schedule on the AP website). To make sense of your scores, check out this articles: Is Your AP Test Score Good Enough?

AP Scores by Subject: Biology | Calculus AB | Calculus BC | Chemistry | English Language | English Literature | European History | Physics B | Psychology | Spanish Language | Statistics | U.S. Government | U.S. History | World History

This past week at About.com College Admissions, these five articles saw the greatest increase in reader interest:
• What's a Good ACT Writing Score?
• Sample Appeal Letter for an Academic Dismissal
• GPA, SAT and ACT Graph for UCLA Admissions
• Top New England Colleges and Universities
• College Interview Tips: What Will You Contribute to Our College?

College Admissions Is Coming. As you choose your kingdom, check out these 10 colleges and universities that are ideal for fans of the popular television series, Game of Thrones.