To help students cope with the process of picking colleges, U.S. News asked two veteran high school counselors, Bonnie Fitzpatrick and Marge Loennig, to draw on their collective 47 years of experience to address questions that are often on the minds of prospective applicants and their families. Fitzpatrick is guidance director at Bethesda-Chevy Chase High School in Maryland; Loennig is college counselor at the Holton-Arms School, a private school in Bethesda, Md.

1. To how many colleges should I apply?
2. I attend a large public school where my counselor doesn't know me well. Will I be at a disadvantage because this person couldn't possibly write anything insightful about me?
3. I have 1580 on my SATs, have a 3.6 grade point average in a very competitive high school and am enrolled in five advanced placement courses. Are the very selective colleges going to accept me?
4. Are certain extracurricular activities favored by highly selective colleges?
5. My SAT and ACT scores are not very high. Should I take the tests over?
6. How can I enhance my chances at a highly selective college if my test scores are not impressive–SAT I 1110, ACT 27–but I have taken rigorous courses and earned A's and have been a leader in extracurricular activities?
7. I had a 2.3 in ninth grade, but every year since then my GPA has improved and I have taken more demanding courses. Will colleges care?
8. My mother graduated from Princeton and my father graduated from the University of North Carolina–Chapel Hill. Will I have an advantage if I apply to either school?
9. I need to apply for financial aid. Will this hurt my chances?
10. I do not qualify for financial aid, but my parents never dreamed college would cost over $25,000 a year. They are opposed to taking out big loans. Will I be limited to attending college in state?

I attend a large public school where my counselor doesn't know me well. Will I be at a disadvantage because this person couldn't possibly write anything insightful about me?
Gary Ripple, now director of admissions at Pennsylvania's Lafayette College, was asked this question when he was admissions dean at Virginia's College of William and Mary. He said to the student questioner: "I wonder why your counselor doesn't know you. Your counselor probably has over 300 students he or she is responsible for. You should take the initiative to get to know your counselor. At William and Mary, we look for students who take charge of their lives." The student sank slowly into his seat, Ripple recalls. The point of this story is that it is important to get to know your counselor. You are also likely to have the option of submitting one or two teacher recommendations. Ask teachers who are most excited about you as a student. Strong teacher recommendations carry a lot of weight.

I have 1580 on my SATs, have a 3.6 grade point average in a very competitive high school and am enrolled in five advanced placement courses. Are the very selective colleges going to accept me?
Colleges and universities with 20 percent or lower acceptance rates turn down many, many students with your credentials. To assess your chances, you need to think in terms of how you will stack up against the entire applicant pool at a given college–and that is not always easy to do, particularly since in any given year, schools are seeking to fill particular niches in a class and it is hard to know what those niches are and whether you fill the bill. That is why it is important to apply to backup schools. And remember that some colleges consider geographical distribution in selecting a class, so try not to limit your choices geographically.

Are certain extracurricular activities favored by highly selective colleges?
Don't spend four years in high school trying to second-guess what colleges may want. Let your interests be your guide. Get involved in something you feel passionate about. Commitment, leadership and success in what you do are what matter most to colleges.

My SAT and ACT scores are not very high. Should I take the tests over?
Every college uses scores differently. Schools such as Bates, Bowdoin and Lafayette College give you the option of not submitting your scores. Some state schools, community colleges and even private colleges rely solely on your academic work. Many "Big 10" schools use a formula that weights grades two thirds and test scores one third. If you have doubts about your junior year scores, read all summer, take a test prep course if you can afford it, then retest in October. You have absolutely nothing to lose by following this path.

How can I enhance my chances at a highly selective college if my test scores are not impressive–SAT I 1110, ACT 27–but I have taken rigorous courses and earned A's and have been a leader in extracurricular activities?
Take the SAT II tests. There are a number of tests from which to choose–and you can suppress those scores you do not like and just release your best ones. Colleges notice high SAT II results; they demonstrate your knowledge of subject matter. Also take AP tests, ideally one or two in your junior year. Scores of 4 or 5 will grab the attention of schools and show them you can succeed in college. Perhaps take a course at a local college. An impressive recommendation from a professor will enhance your application. And remember that in filling out applications, strong, well-written essays will help convey your strengths.

I had a 2.3 in ninth grade, but every year since then my GPA has improved and I have taken more demanding courses. Will colleges care?
Yes! Such a record indicates academic growth and discovery. Experience has taught many admissions officers that you are a good risk. However, some colleges use a formula that combines overall GPA and/or class rank with test scores; in that case, you will be at a disadvantage. Before applying, ask the admissions office how you will be treated.

My mother graduated from Princeton and my father graduated from the University of North Carolina–Chapel Hill. Will I have an advantage if I apply to either school?
A number of schools–both public and private–favor legacies. Often, colleges will look at the degree of commitment the parent has to the alma mater.

I need to apply for financial aid. Will this hurt my chances?
The National Association for College Admission Counseling has spent three years asking that question. It discovered that there is no simple answer. Colleges want to be need blind in making admissions decisions and to meet the full need of those admitted. But some simply do not have the resources to do so. Generally, financial aid needs will not affect you negatively if you are very competitive in the pool of applicants. Colleges that must look at financial aid needs are often able to accept the first 80 to 90 percent of their class without regard to need but may look at need in filling the remainder of the class. Some schools are need blind in admissions but do not meet full need in their aid packages, a practice known as gapping. Others will admit students with high need but deny them aid.

I do not qualify for financial aid, but my parents never dreamed college would cost over $25,000 a year. They are opposed to taking out big loans. Will I be limited to attending college in state?
Not necessarily. If you are a top student, you may want to look at colleges that award merit scholarships. Talk to your counselor and look at data like U.S. News's best-value rankings to see which schools offer substantial merit aid. Before you rule out a school, discuss your situation with its financial aid office. More colleges are offering merit awards to attract top students. You may have many more choices than you think.

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