5 things to know about the college admissions scandal

July 2024 · 3 minute read
Review some of the highlights from the college admissions scandal. Then answer the questions at the end to continue the discussion with your students.

1.  "Varsity Blues" refers to t he biggest college admissions scam ever prosecuted by the U.S. Justice Department.

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(Watch the first 2-mins for a recap of the scam. If time, watch the interview with Jeffrey Selingo, "There is Life After College," who discusses the scandal in more detail and the college admissions process.

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Federal prosecutors arrested and charged 50 people na tionwide for participating in a bribery and cheating scam to get students into elite schools. In the investigation known as Varsity Blues, prosecutors found that parents paid admissions consultant William “Rick” Singer, to bribe proctors to alter standardized tests, pay coaches to recruit athletes, some of whom never played the sport they were being recruited for and lie to administrators about disabilities , so that students received extra time to take tests.

2. "This is straight out bribery," author Daniel Golden tells PBS NewsHour on how the scheme showcases a college admissions system that has been wrought with problems for decades.

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Prosecutors say Singer paid 25 million in bribes to athletic coaches and others to pretend to recruit students. In some cases students faces were photoshopped onto the bodies of real athletes. Proctors were also paid to correct students answers on standardized including  test like the SAT and ACT or allow them extra time to finish their test.

3 . Wealthy parents including celebrities and a fashion designer, prominent attorneys and CEOs have been charged in the scam. image https://twitter.com/DMAnews1/status/1108825095210962948 Image : https://twitter.com/DMAnews1/status/1108743661855145984 Officials said wealthy parents  paid $200,000 to $6.5 million to guarantee their children’s admission.  According to court documents, Huffman paid $ 15,000 to get her daughter into a elite school. Felicity Huffman of Desperate Housewives and Lori Loughlin of Fuller house, were both arrested on March 12. Click here to read the Actress responses to the allegations. 4   Federal prosecutors announced that 50 people are facing charges in connection to the admissions scandal Fb live At least 33 Parents are being charged with conspiracy to commit mail fraud and wire fraud. Richard Singer who cooperated with investigators plead guilty to racketeering conspiracy. At least nine coached from elite schools were also charged.  Massachusetts U.S. Attorney Andrew Lelling announced the charges In this live press conference on March 12. 5  the announcement of the Admissions scandal sparked outrage from students. .50

Students have expressed their frustration with the college system since learning that children of the super wealthy cheated  their way in to ultra selective schools like Yale and University of Southern California . Some students have also filed a lawsuit against the elite schools. In this segment of Making the Grade students discuss their disappointment.

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