I'm not very comfortable e-mailing professors who have no idea who I am and saying, "Lucky you! I'm applying to your college! Want to meet with me?" And when I do meet with these profs, what the hell am I supposed to say? "Gee, it would be really cool if you'd put in a good word for me with the admissions committee!" Yet that's the advice out there; find some professors at the schools you're applying to who might be good advisors once you do get in, contact them and chat them up.