Shih took pains to cushion the blow of layoffs, providing generous severance packages and writing letters of recommendation and personal messages to the families of those who lost their jobs.

CNN: THE REAL WORK BEGINS

The process takes the students through each step: selecting their target schools, filling out applications, writing essays, obtaining letters of recommendation, targeting scholarships and financial aid, reporting test scores and completing entrance exams.

CNN: Pairing up to take the pain out of college search