Readers are invited to submit questions on the college admissions process. My e-mail inbox is loaded with stories  and anecdotes that usually end up asking a very familiar question. Q. When it comes to impressing admissions officials, is it better to take the most rigorous course possible and run the risk of getting a B? Or take something less challenging where the chances of getting an A are very good?"  Bottom line: A "B" in a tougher class is better than an easy A, in most cases. Admissions officials typically will give more "weight" to a B in the most challenging course than they will to a student who takes an easier class and receives an A. Colleges frown upon students with strong SAT scores who don’t take advantage of higher-level courses. Colleges repeatedly tell applicants that they want to see confirmation that students have challenged themselves and a demonstration of consistency in performance. If a high school offers a full International Baccalaureate program and dozens of AP classes, and a high-achieving student takes just a few and focuses mainly on Honors or Standard level classes, it will reflect badly. If, however, there are only a handful of upper-level classes offered and a student takes all of them, he/she will be looked upon more favorably. Mostly A’s and some B’s are expected for admission to elite schools. "C" level work either indicates the class is beyond the student’s capabilities or the student is not dedicated. The objective is for the student to be challenged and perform as well as possible. Goal: Become wedding planner Q. A question from a high school student: "I want to be a wedding planner; what college should I go to?" Some students are already focused on their career plans, though most are not. How many parents knew what they wanted to do professionally when they were a teenager? Probably not too many. But there are students who feel that they know what they want. In the case of our student, first she needs to decide whether she wants a certificate program, a two-year or a four-year college education. Both Central Piedmont Community College and UNC Charlotte offer 60-hour certificate programs in meeting and event planning. Neither program requires a bachelor’s degree. She can enter these programs soon and start negotiating nuptial contracts before the ink dries. If she’s interested in receiving a bachelor’s degree, she should consider schools that offer hospitality and tourism majors or a hotel management program. These schools would provide a range of courses that would be appropriate training. I’d also recommend researching internships and co-op opportunities at colleges she’s considering. Interning at a special events company would allow her to test-drive the career field.   Bierer is an independent college adviser based in Charlotte: lee@collegeadmissionsstrategies.com; www.collegeadmissionsstrategies.com