Rather than seeing this as “manipulation,” let’s look at this as a simple research project to ensure you end up at a college that’s a good fit for you.
Let’s take a slightly different hypothetical situation: two girls, both with superior grades from a highy rated high school. One is a college-level thinker, a deep and thorough researcher, able to edit her own work. She’s an enthusiastic learner, avid reader, brilliant writer and has a huge group of friends. No academic challenge throws her-- except in physics, which threw off her gpa. (So what? She’s not headed for a science career.) This kid belongs at a top, tough Ivy (or near-Ivy,) where her fellow students are in a broad variety of majors, highly motivated to learn, avidly participate in classroom discussions, talk about academic subjects while out having fun, etc. She will thrive at a campus with highly-rated graduate programs (and the influence that spills over to the undergraduate experience.) All this is what will empower this girl to go out into the world after graduation and make her mark.
The other girl is not driven to learn-- she is driven to do well in her classes. There is a big difference. She’s a highly rated musician and breathtaking singer. And, has a great sense of humor. She belongs at a smaller school where she can ace her classes and, on the side, play a little sports, play her violin, sing in the chorus or be in school plays and have plenty of time with her friends. This is what will empower her when she goes off into the real world.
So, you’re darned right, these girls need to look at the profiles of life/students at various colleges. These girls will not “manipulate” their applications to “look like” ideal candidates. They will emphasize the strong points each has which make her a “good fit” for that college- and the college a good fit for her.
This research is not hard. You don’t have to hire expensive consultants or go off buying 10 books that purport to advise you but really thrive on your fears. Start with the internet and the schools’ websites. See just what they brag about, read their descriptions of the academic philosophy and college life. Look at their calendars- is it all about pep rallies? Or, lectures by visiting scholars? Etc.