Parents looking for a guarantee to a super-selective private college are being unrealistic; their kids still need to earn some achievement to be admissible.
However, what they are buying are enhanced opportunities, reduction of limitations, guidance toward the goal, and connections for their kids. With more opportunities, fewer limitations, and guidance toward the goal, earning the needed achievement is more likely than in an ordinary high school environment. The counseling staff may have privileged connections to super-selective private colleges. Counselors and teachers will be well practiced at writing the kind of recommendations that will be most helpful to their students, and they may be more knowledgeable about helping students write good college essays. Connections to other students who are scions of VIPs and the wealthy may also be seen as future value that is greater than connections to the 77% free-or-reduced-price-lunch students in DC public schools.