I have the same question. I don't understand the point of any of it.
I will say that my oldest is looking at a couple of high end out of state schools that no one she knows attends. In her mind it’s a way to start off with built in friends, be involved in something that will benefit her post undergrad, these schools have extensive Greek cultures with much better housing situations, etc. The consultant comes into play to see how many rungs up that ladder she can go. I think it’s all bullshit, but at this point with what I’m going to drop for college it doesn’t matter.
I’m much more disturbed by how tight money/admittance is for a kid with extensive involvement, high GPA, high ACT, numerous AP’s, etc. I always assumed she would have her pick of where she wanted to go with money available from most. Yeah, that isn’t the case by a long shot. That process has been a bit of kick in the nuts.