Postby QuackingShoe » June 19th, 2009 5:59 am
願望 uses 願, which is used in such words as お願い(おねがい) and 願書 (an application/petition) and 願 (a prayer). So it's probably more like a classic 'wish' that can be granted, at least in theory. In practice, it's differences from 志望, at least, seems to be mostly idiomatic.
希望 uses 希. It's more like hope, both as 'a hope,' and as the idea of 'hope'. I consider it's opposite to be 絶望, which is despair.
志望 uses 志, which, well, can be used in words like 志(こころざし), which means 'will'. So as you'd expect, it has to do more with willful desire. 志望者 is, for instance, a candidate for something (a 'hopeful,' as we'd say). 志望 on it's own is often used for aspirations, and to describe your 'first choice' for things - for example, your first choice of college.