My DS's counselor refused to assist in any way with the application process. She would not write a letter of recommendation and actively worked to prevent others in the high school administration from helping. Fortunately, we had a new principal who personally assisted my DS and wrote required letters of recommendation for all five academies plus ROTC. She tried, but could not get the counselor to do anything and could not even discipline the counselor for not doing her job. We live in a very anti-military town, including the school board. But you're right, they had no problem adding DS's scholarship money to the school total and bragging about it!