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Now that you're officially college bound, you work hard to make sure your grades are up to par. Unfortunately, you weren't so wise your freshman year, and you've got the low GPA to prove it. Should you skip applying to your first-choice colleges, or is there a chance they may take pity on you?

The good news: You're not the only applicant with this problem. And the best news of all? We've got solutions.

Problem #1: A Low GPA
You can't possibly turn back time to repeat your freshman year, but what you can do is be accountable for your shortcomings.

"It's better to give an explanation of why you didn't do well than to have the admissions officers guess," says Kelly Tanabe, author of "Get Into Any College" (SuperCollege, 2004). "If you did poorly in one class or subject area, explain that this is an area that you have trouble with, what you have done to improve, and that your major will be in another area that you're stronger in."

Problem #2: Weak Test Scores
Aradhana Agrawal, a recent University of Arizona (Tucson, AZ) grad, had doubts about getting into her first-choice university. Her SAT scores weren't great, and her grades hadn't been exceptionally high, either. But what Aradhana didn't have academically, she made up for in her extracurricular activities. She boasted about her wide range of experiences -- she'd been the leader of her school choir, and even performed some social work teaching needy children and writing exams for the blind.

Even though Aradhana's grades weren't stellar, her activity list said a lot about the kind of person she was. She ultimately got into the school of her choice. And here's something you should know: Colleges are aware that SAT or ACT scores aren't always good indicators of student performance.

"Some people just do badly on standardized tests," says Margot Carmichael Lester, chief operating officer of Teaching That Makes Sense, Inc. and author of "The Real Life Guide to Life After College" (Pipeline Press, 1998). "Others could be having a bad day and that could kill their scores."

She suggests overcoming this by focusing on other measures of your aptitude -- good grades, an impressive activity record, or some valuable on-the-job experience. "Establish the fact that there's more to you than this test score, and then use several points of evidence, examples, or explanations to make your case," she says.

Problem #3: A Not-So-Great Disciplinary Record
So the fistfight with the school bully made it on your permanent record. Don't worry -- it doesn't automatically spell rejection. Tanabe encourages anyone who's had disciplinary problems to 'fess up. "Explain that you've matured since the incident and have a clean record," she says. "Admission officers understand that students sometimes make mistakes, and then can overlook them, especially if you've turned a new leaf."

It's even more important that you indicate the mistake is a lesson from which you've learned. Make sure you're honest and up front about what happened and how you've dealt with the root causes of your problems.

Problem #4: An Almost-Empty Activity List
Your friend was the captain of the volleyball team, edited the school newspaper, and was actively involved in several more clubs. You, on the other hand, had the distinct honor of attending every Saturday night party in town. But since that isn't going to earn you any brownie points on your applications, what should you do?

"Instead of focusing on what you haven't done, focus on what you have," says Tanabe. "Describe any part-time jobs you've held, volunteer efforts, personal interests, or involvement in activities outside of school. If you've had to work, outline your responsibilities and what you've accomplished on the job."

Problem #5: Late Applications
You had a family emergency and missed the application Deadline. Should you be penalized for it and not go to the school of your choice? We don't think so! In fact, even though it's highly recommended that you do whatever's possible to get your application in on time, don't give up if you've missed the deadline, say experts.

"The best strategy you can use when applying late is to set up an interview with the admission counselor reading the file, even though an interview may not be required," says Kathy Fitzgerald, vice president for marketing and enrollment management at The Sage Colleges (Troy, NY). "You should then use the interview to highlight your strong points (academics, volunteer work, etc.) and not as an opportunity to make excuses for applying late."

Nisha Pillai, senior at the Tuck School of business at Dartmouth University (Hanover, NH), believes that talking to the admissions staff can be a great idea no matter what the issue. "What I found most valuable about actively engaging with the admissions office were the pointers they gave me regarding the application process," she says. "Just remember not to turn your questions into a large demand on their time!"

Problem #6: Poor Writing
You don't have to endure writer's block every time you hear the word "essay." Instead, make it work to your advantage.

"The best essay you write will be about a subject that is close to you," advises Tanabe. "Don't try to write about a Shakespeare play if you're more motivated by 'Harry Potter.'"

Admission officers aren't testing the actual subject of your essay as much as they are trying to determine the kind of person you are. Do yourself a favor and write what you know.

And remember, the best thing you can do is highlight the positive aspects of your application while minimizing the holes; offer explanations, not excuses.

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