To a significant degree, you're mainly buying precisely that culture of "you're (we're, i.e. the students themselves reinforce the culture, which is vital) gonna prep for the SAT, do well in school, and so on, because you (we) are going to college, period, and... oh, you're not applying there, are you? No no no, my grandpa's name is on a building at [more presigious school], apply there, I'll talk to a couple people. Oh, and come volunteer at [charity] with me a couple weekends, looks great, my mom's on the board and can get you something that looks more important on an application than what most people do there. Do you have an internship for the Summer? We'll talk to my dad next time you're over playing xbox, probably can hook you up" when you pay (through housing costs) for top-end public schools, or mid-tier-and-higher private schools.