<p>How do colleges know which are our top choices ?</p>
<p>Either apply ED/EA and/or tell them in your application essays. Sometimes your guidance counselor may reveal this to your top choice school. But it is important to always let your true top choice know that it is your top choice, and to never let any other school to which you apply know that they are not your first choice.</p>
<p>They’ll know because you’ll probably be very under-qualified :)</p>
<p>Applying ED is probably the most foolproof way to show that a school is your top choice. Binding yourself to attendance if you are admitted is a pretty reliable sign that you love the school. Otherwise, write an incredible “Why us?” essay and maybe have your guidance counselor mention it… Also maybe mention it to your interviewer.</p>