College admittance offices look at many factors in evaluating which students to accept. GPA is important. But a transcript with mostly As and Bs will usually be enough to get you into the "let's take a deeper look" list.
Now that you have a list of schools you are considering, go do the research on them. Most of their websites will give the statistics for their incoming freshman classes. The big fat college guide book (US News?) will give you similar details on what the colleges use as factors and how important those factors are. I'd check in your local library for one to borrow. College search sites such as Princeton Review (
www.princetonreview.com) will divide colleges into categories such as good match and reach to tell you where you fit among the selectivity of the colleges. Somewhere we also found a list of the best schools to apply to if you are a B+ average student.
GO VISIT COLLEGES!!! You might decide you like something completely different than you pictured in your mind. Make your visit official. Interest shown in a school by visiting an touring
is sometimes a factor (the only two schools my daughter got wait-listed for were the two that she paid only an unofficial visit, and had not gone back for an official tour).
Continue to push yourself in HS. Try to do your best on the standardized tests. Take on leadership roles in your team. Do something in your community that has an impact. Don't be a joiner - be a doer! Then when the time comes to write your essay you will have something to say. Teachers will write good recommendations, and you will have other references to call on when you need them.
And when the time comes, do not be afraid to apply to a school that you really want to go to but would be considered a reach. They may be looking for someone just like you to round out their student body. We had a wise counselor once say "if you receive a letter saying you have not been accepted into a college, it is not a rejection of you. It is the college saying that they feel they are not the best match for you and for your future success."