How to help student with app

I’m looking for ways to help my cousin with the whole college preparation process and I’m considering hiring a college consultant. Does anyone have experience (good or bad) with this?

In previous posts you said that you got into top Ivies - so shouldn’t you know what to do?

MODERATOR’S NOTE:

You cousin is more than welcome to open an account to ask his/her own questions, but “asking for a friend” posts are not allowed. In the meanwhile, the question has been asked many times before, so a search might be beneficial. Closing thread.