As students compete to get into the top universities across the United States, a report found that many parents are spending hundreds of thousands on 'elite consultants' that will turn their kids' college apps into 'Ivy League bait'
The mantra for making it into America's top schools rings from New York City to Kentucky: Whatever it takes. College consultants charging as much as $750,000 to build standout applications starting in seventh grade? Worth it, says Hope Choi, whose son applied to 22 schools and has already won a spot at Yale. Ivy League prices approaching $90,000? “What's a couple thousand more dollars in debt?” asks 18-year-old Addison Witucki, who set her hopes on going to Harvard or Brown ??" and then medical school. Despite public outcry about America's student loan crisis and soaring college costs, the appeal of an elite education has only gotten stronger. Acceptance rates have plunged below 5%, meaning securing a spot at the top institutions feels akin to winning the lottery. It's leaving parents and students wanting a prestigious-if-expensive degree now more than ever, and hunting for the best ways to boost their chances. Does Prestige Pay? Min