I recently read about a woman on the east coast who charges families $20,000 - $40,000 to assist students with their preparation and application to Ivy League colleges.  Her clients pay about $3,000 for a weekend pre-college experience.    The students I work with may have one parent with an annual salary of $40,000.  So, for my parents I would never recommend something like that...but I understand in certain circles it's common and acceptable to do that.

So what should you do if you don’t have 20 grand to drop on a consultant?  Become a DIY scholarship expert!  Look at how successful Home Depot and Lowes have been at attracting people who want a nice house and nice yard but aren’t willing, or can’t, hire a professional contractor.  You can read about your project, gather information and advice and attend painting classes.  For scholarships, you can take the same approach.  Gather information, advice and experiences that will set you on a successful path.