<p>NEVER, ever, take advice from a public school guidance counselor. I mean that. All they care about is getting a certain percentage of their students into college, any college. They would be happy if everyone of their kids applied to the local community college, as that makes their job easier, and improves their stats. As you have noticed, it is a LOT of work to get a student into a top school, and very little work to get into a state school or local community college. Private high schools, OTOH, do pride themselves on the number of students getting into top colleges, so their guidance counselors do have a different goal.</p>
<p>Instead, go online to each school website, and peruse it thoroughly. And ask questions of us here on CC!</p>
<p>just sayin’.</p>