The paper discusses the aspiration problems that rural students confront each day. By exploring their background and family life styles, it is hoped that some sort of understanding of their aspiration problems could aid the school counselors. The paper is divided into 4 main discussions: (1) characteristics of rural life, (2) problems of rural students, (3) counseling rural students, and (4) special problems of counseling in rural schools. The paper points out that rural youths do have special needs and problems--e.g., graduates from small schools experience less success in college than do graduates from larger schools. A review of the literature in this area reveals 3 special interest areas: (1) special tools and skills that will help these students, (2) numerous helpful agencies, and (3) the ability to approach each individual as one human being to another. A list of 24 special problems are also presented, such as (1) parents do not realize the importance of post high school education or training; (2) rural areas are less likely to have manpower programs of vocational training available; and (3) there is less opportunity to participate in job-placement programs. Not all is grim in rural school counseling, though. There is greater flexibility and closeness to students and the community environment. (FF)