If you think college is going to be expensive now, be prepared to see the costs pile up before you even get there. Everything from deciding on a college, taking the SATs to weekend visits to the college of your choice has a price tag attached.

Having trouble writing that winning essay that will wow the college admissions office? You can hire a placement service that will not only help you with your writing, it can also help you decide on the colleges that you should apply to—divided among schools you'd like to attend and back up schools in case you don't get accepted at your top choice. Prices can range from $1500 a year for this kind of service.

Preparing for the SAT on your own will save you money, but if you need extra help, Princeton Review offers a 35-40 hour classroom SAT course with four practice tests. Or if you've waited until the last minute to prepare, you can take a four-hour course for $99. Tutors can cost even more, as much as $70 and up per hour.

Once you're ready to sharpen your pencil and take the test, the SAT costs $25. You can get your score by phone for an extra $13. Scores sent to more than four colleges or scholarship programs cost $6.50 each. Fees for the ACT assessment are similar.

Start filling out those applications and you'll find that most schools charge from $35 to $50 just to apply. Add in the cost of visiting the schools and the bill goes even higher. But those visit can pay off in the long run because if you find out early that you don't like the school once you're there, you won't have to waste time and money on a place that isn't the right match for you. And that can save you up to $40,000 a year!