There are many cheaper alternatives to the full-service college consulting which could run into more than $10,000.
For SAT prep, Princeton review offers classes in $500 range. If your kid are self-disciplined, he may not even need classes. Buy a few books at $15 a piece may be enough.
For the admission consulting, the biggest thing is the essays. Kids grew up in US shouldn't need someone else to write the essays for them. The key is to decide what to write. For that, you can find an independent consultant who charges a hourly fee, commonly $100 a hour in Bay area. 5-6 hours is usually enough to get the essays done.
