<p>You and your counselor should look for schools that you know will certainly accept you and that you can afford to provide the base for your college list. Those are the most important schools for ANYONE applying to colleges. From there you can build upwards. It’s not impossible to get accepted to some highly selective schools with your profile, but the very definition of "selectivity’ makes it a low probability for most anyone, and you do have some things, like GPA that can bring down your chances. But if you pick schools carefully that may be looking for someone like you, say a female STEM major, it is possible to get an acceptance to a highly selective college. But those are not sure things for anyone. Even with a 4.0 and your test scores, it’s not a slam dunk. So you pick carefully.</p>
<p>Since you need full aid, you look for schools that also have a decent chance of giving it to you. Look at the % of kids getting full need met and run NPCs for the schools that you select. No sense fishing where there is no fish. If there is a chance, though small, yes, you throw a few of those on your list, but also make sure you have some schools where there chances are better. </p>
<p>We don’t know your specifics beyond what you have put on this board. Schools like Yale like to see students who have done very well DESPITE their stresses and issues, so it’s going to be tough getting even a consideration for your ordeals from such schools, but give it a go with your counselor’s support and statement. Just make sure you have a balanced list with some sure things on it.</p>