[News] College Admissions Cheating Scam

[Zarathud]

The payments were for the illusion that the child "earned" admission. The blatant cheating, gaming of recruitment tracks, and outright bribery was clearly abusive of the admissions process.

Each of these colleges would have given consideration to admitting these students after larger direct donations. It costs more and has no guarantee of results. Influence matters, but it's less reliable.

[rittchard]

https://www.tmz.com/2019/03/12/felicity ... e-bribery/

Supposedly the FBI arrested Felicity with guns drawn - seriously? Why don't they go get Trump instead lol?

[Isgrimnur]

The payments were for the illusion that the child "earned" admission. The blatant cheating, gaming of recruitment tracks, and outright bribery was clearly abusive of the admissions process.

Each of these colleges would have given consideration to admitting these students after larger direct donations. It costs more and has no guarantee of results. Influence matters, but it's less reliable.

Sometimes people just don’t stay bought.

[stimpy]

Wait a second....people with money get preferential treatment???
Color me shocked!!!!

[LawBeefaroni]

https://www.tmz.com/2019/03/12/felicity ... e-bribery/

Supposedly the FBI arrested Felicity with guns drawn - seriously?

At least 2 local cops here got shot serving arrest warrants in the last few days. It's one of the more dangerous parts of the job. Generally not best practiceuce to go knocking on doors to arrest someone unprepared. Privileged celebrity or not.

[Zarathud]

You can't expect officers not to be prepared at the same time citizens are arming themselves to "stand their ground."

[Smoove_B]

The kind of person that's willing to give 10s or 100s of thousands of dollars just to get their kid into college is capable of anything.

[GreenGoo]

Wait a second....people with money get preferential treatment???
Color me shocked!!!!

Presumably you mean preferential as in SWAT team in this context.

People with money broke the law. The law didn't get it's cut, so now it's pissed.

[GreenGoo]

You can't expect officers not to be prepared at the same time citizens are arming themselves to "stand their ground."

No, I read somewhere that cops are happy that citizens are exercising their constitutional rights and arming themselves.

Stewart: It's a good thing.

[Moliere]

They need to start arresting some/most of the kids. There's no way they weren't in on it. Some were recorded on the conference calls and some were getting help taking the tests. They knew what their parents were doing.

[Pyperkub]

HOpefully this image from twitter shows up:



Ouch!

[tweet}[/tweet]

[hepcat]

Wait a second....people with money get preferential treatment???
Color me shocked!!!!

And that’s exactly why they get away with it most of the time.

[GungHo]

HOpefully this image from twitter shows up:



Ouch!

[tweet}[/tweet]

U-Texas? Wtf is that? It's just UT. C'mon feds!
And while we are happy to do our part in contributing to the slimy orgy that is higher education, we appreciate the placement next to the likes of Stanford, Georgetown, and Yale. My parents, at least, feel vindicated today.

It's a real shame these parents didn't allow their kids to deal with a little reality. As privileged children of wealthy parents, I doubt they've had to deal with much; and not getting in to your preferred school is pretty far down the list of shit that really matters in life.

[em2nought]

https://www.tmz.com/2019/03/12/felicity ... e-bribery/

Supposedly the FBI arrested Felicity with guns drawn - seriously? Why don't they go get Trump instead lol?

So you think 200 FBI agents were on this particular job to try and catch Aunt Becky? Foiled again!

[Isgrimnur]

U-Texas? Wtf is that? It's just UT. C'mon feds!

She’s from Boston. She doesn’t know any better.

[hepcat]

https://www.tmz.com/2019/03/12/felicity ... e-bribery/

Supposedly the FBI arrested Felicity with guns drawn - seriously? Why don't they go get Trump instead lol?

You've only recently returned to OO, but please be aware that any mention of the T word will result in an appearance by em2. So if you could refrain from doing so in EBG, you'll be doing us all a big favor.

[hepcat]

U-Texas? Wtf is that? It's just UT. C'mon feds!

She’s from Boston. She doesn’t know any better.

So she's....Boston Wrong?

[Jeff V]

Admissions are one thing, what is the actual end game in this exercise? These dimwits aren't going to suddenly be competitive with the geniuses legitimately enrolled at the school. Those who are there on fake sports scholarships aren't going to discover they were idiot savants at football all along. Assuming they cheated and bribed their way to graduation, they aren't going to wow an employer with their brilliance. Are those parents hoping their little dullards will someday become an infamous national embarrassment in the vein of a certain orange clown?

One of the kids was on the news this morning saying she was only interested in the college partying experience. Academic stuff? Not her thing.

[hepcat]

they aren't going to wow an employer with their brilliance.

Why do you think they'd be working? They're rich and entitled. They'll work for mommy or daddy's company, get a job as an actor and ride on their last name, or they'll just spend their time on social media.

[Jaymann]

It's just a vanity degree. Mummy will make sure they have a high end job. Hep beat me to it.

[Smoove_B]

One of the kids was on the news this morning saying she was only interested in the college partying experience. Academic stuff? Not her thing.

Lori Loughlin's daughter. She's now a social media "influencer" and I'm sure she'll be able to leverage her college experience for advertising and modeling deals. Without a Kardashian family member to springboard off of, the next best thing is to Instagram and hashtag products in your college dorm room, I guess.

[Kraken]

Admissions are one thing, what is the actual end game in this exercise? These dimwits aren't going to suddenly be competitive with the geniuses legitimately enrolled at the school. Those who are there on fake sports scholarships aren't going to discover they were idiot savants at football all along. Assuming they cheated and bribed their way to graduation, they aren't going to wow an employer with their brilliance. Are those parents hoping their little dullards will someday become an infamous national embarrassment in the vein of a certain orange clown?

This is my take, too. Those parents must have been prepared to pay any price/work any connections to get them the grades for a diploma as well -- they wouldn't spend all that money to get them into a program and then allow them to fail.

What burns me up most is the slot they took away from somebody who deserved it.

[Jeff V]

This is my take, too. Those parents must have been prepared to pay any price/work any connections to get them the grades for a diploma as well -- they wouldn't spend all that money to get them into a program and then allow them to fail.

What burns me up most is the slot they took away from somebody who deserved it.

Years ago, I heard an interesting story on NPR. It was an interview with prodigal student who was accepted with scholarship at all of the Ivy League schools, but opted instead to go to University of Minnesota. Her reasoning was competing with the best in the world not only adds stress to the whole college experience...she was top in her class at Minnesota, but might have been middle of the pack at one of these other schools. Finishing at the top of the class at a state school is going to open doors just as well as, say, squeaking by with a D minus minus at Dartmouth; not to mention set one up with a winning and not losing mindset.

[LawBeefaroni]

What burns me up most is the slot they took away from somebody who deserved it.

Being burned up happens when you expect things to be fair. "Fair" is a human construct like god or astrology. There is no natural/physical law that is "fair." Balanced perhaps, there are some states of equilibrium, but never fair.

"Deserve" is also a human construct. Who deserves a spot?


I'm with you but it's an exercise in frustration and futility to expect fair treatment for those who deserve it.

[LawBeefaroni]

This is my take, too. Those parents must have been prepared to pay any price/work any connections to get them the grades for a diploma as well -- they wouldn't spend all that money to get them into a program and then allow them to fail.

What burns me up most is the slot they took away from somebody who deserved it.

Years ago, I heard an interesting story on NPR. It was an interview with prodigal student who was accepted with scholarship at all of the Ivy League schools, but opted instead to go to University of Minnesota. Her reasoning was competing with the best in the world not only adds stress to the whole college experience...she was top in her class at Minnesota, but might have been middle of the pack at one of these other schools. Finishing at the top of the class at a state school is going to open doors just as well as, say, squeaking by with a D minus minus at Dartmouth; not to mention set one up with a winning and not losing mindset.

Interesting concept but what is she doing now, compared to your average middle of the pack Ivy Leaguer?

[stessier]

This is my take, too. Those parents must have been prepared to pay any price/work any connections to get them the grades for a diploma as well -- they wouldn't spend all that money to get them into a program and then allow them to fail.

What burns me up most is the slot they took away from somebody who deserved it.

Years ago, I heard an interesting story on NPR. It was an interview with prodigal student who was accepted with scholarship at all of the Ivy League schools, but opted instead to go to University of Minnesota. Her reasoning was competing with the best in the world not only adds stress to the whole college experience...she was top in her class at Minnesota, but might have been middle of the pack at one of these other schools. Finishing at the top of the class at a state school is going to open doors just as well as, say, squeaking by with a D minus minus at Dartmouth; not to mention set one up with a winning and not losing mindset.

Interesting concept but what is she doing now, compared to your average middle of the pack Ivy Leaguer?

If she's happy, does it matter?

[Isgrimnur]

What burns me up most is the slot they took away from somebody who deserved it.

Being burned up happens when you expect things to be fair. "Fair" is a human construct like god or astrology. There is no natural/physical law that is "fair." Balanced perhaps, there are some states of equilibrium, but never fair.

"Deserve" is also a human construct. Who deserves a spot?


I'm with you but it's an exercise in frustration and futility to expect fair treatment for those who deserve it.

[El Guapo]

Admissions are one thing, what is the actual end game in this exercise? These dimwits aren't going to suddenly be competitive with the geniuses legitimately enrolled at the school. Those who are there on fake sports scholarships aren't going to discover they were idiot savants at football all along. Assuming they cheated and bribed their way to graduation, they aren't going to wow an employer with their brilliance. Are those parents hoping their little dullards will someday become an infamous national embarrassment in the vein of a certain orange clown?

This is my take, too. Those parents must have been prepared to pay any price/work any connections to get them the grades for a diploma as well -- they wouldn't spend all that money to get them into a program and then allow them to fail.

What burns me up most is the slot they took away from somebody who deserved it.

At the same time I did enjoy this take:



if they'd only bought a seat for their child the traditional way, everything would have been fine.

[El Guapo]

This is my take, too. Those parents must have been prepared to pay any price/work any connections to get them the grades for a diploma as well -- they wouldn't spend all that money to get them into a program and then allow them to fail.

What burns me up most is the slot they took away from somebody who deserved it.

Years ago, I heard an interesting story on NPR. It was an interview with prodigal student who was accepted with scholarship at all of the Ivy League schools, but opted instead to go to University of Minnesota. Her reasoning was competing with the best in the world not only adds stress to the whole college experience...she was top in her class at Minnesota, but might have been middle of the pack at one of these other schools. Finishing at the top of the class at a state school is going to open doors just as well as, say, squeaking by with a D minus minus at Dartmouth; not to mention set one up with a winning and not losing mindset.

Interesting concept but what is she doing now, compared to your average middle of the pack Ivy Leaguer?

If she's happy, does it matter?

Sure it would. Her rationale was two-part, that by going to Minnesota she would: (1) be happier; and (2) be just as competitive at the top of Minnesota than in the middle of the Ivy League. How is she doing gets at whether #2 is true or not.

[Isgrimnur]

Admissions are one thing, what is the actual end game in this exercise? These dimwits aren't going to suddenly be competitive with the geniuses legitimately enrolled at the school. Those who are there on fake sports scholarships aren't going to discover they were idiot savants at football all along. Assuming they cheated and bribed their way to graduation, they aren't going to wow an employer with their brilliance. Are those parents hoping their little dullards will someday become an infamous national embarrassment in the vein of a certain orange clown?

This is my take, too. Those parents must have been prepared to pay any price/work any connections to get them the grades for a diploma as well -- they wouldn't spend all that money to get them into a program and then allow them to fail.

What burns me up most is the slot they took away from somebody who deserved it.

At the same time I did enjoy this take:



if they'd only bought a seat for their child the traditional way, everything would have been fine.

[Smoove_B]

ProPublica editor @DanLGolden wrote a book a decade ago about how the rich buy their children access to elite colleges.

Case in point, Jared Kushner: https://propub.li/2HsakhH

and

[stessier]

This is my take, too. Those parents must have been prepared to pay any price/work any connections to get them the grades for a diploma as well -- they wouldn't spend all that money to get them into a program and then allow them to fail.

What burns me up most is the slot they took away from somebody who deserved it.

Years ago, I heard an interesting story on NPR. It was an interview with prodigal student who was accepted with scholarship at all of the Ivy League schools, but opted instead to go to University of Minnesota. Her reasoning was competing with the best in the world not only adds stress to the whole college experience...she was top in her class at Minnesota, but might have been middle of the pack at one of these other schools. Finishing at the top of the class at a state school is going to open doors just as well as, say, squeaking by with a D minus minus at Dartmouth; not to mention set one up with a winning and not losing mindset.

Interesting concept but what is she doing now, compared to your average middle of the pack Ivy Leaguer?

If she's happy, does it matter?

Sure it would. Her rationale was two-part, that by going to Minnesota she would: (1) be happier; and (2) be just as competitive at the top of Minnesota than in the middle of the Ivy League. How is she doing gets at whether #2 is true or not.

I disagree. Motivations change. Where she ended up doesn't necessarily reflect at all on the original choice.

[Ralph-Wiggum]

From what I’ve heard, at least some of these “elite” schools (e.g. Harvard) are incredibly hard to get in but not actually very difficult decent grades at in undergrad. In any case, for many applications post-bachelors degree, grades don’t often matter as much as the name of the alma mater.

[El Guapo]

This is my take, too. Those parents must have been prepared to pay any price/work any connections to get them the grades for a diploma as well -- they wouldn't spend all that money to get them into a program and then allow them to fail.

What burns me up most is the slot they took away from somebody who deserved it.

Years ago, I heard an interesting story on NPR. It was an interview with prodigal student who was accepted with scholarship at all of the Ivy League schools, but opted instead to go to University of Minnesota. Her reasoning was competing with the best in the world not only adds stress to the whole college experience...she was top in her class at Minnesota, but might have been middle of the pack at one of these other schools. Finishing at the top of the class at a state school is going to open doors just as well as, say, squeaking by with a D minus minus at Dartmouth; not to mention set one up with a winning and not losing mindset.

Interesting concept but what is she doing now, compared to your average middle of the pack Ivy Leaguer?

If she's happy, does it matter?

Sure it would. Her rationale was two-part, that by going to Minnesota she would: (1) be happier; and (2) be just as competitive at the top of Minnesota than in the middle of the Ivy League. How is she doing gets at whether #2 is true or not.

I disagree. Motivations change. Where she ended up doesn't necessarily reflect at all on the original choice.

It just seems like "whether she succeeded" is a relevant consideration as to whether her belief that Minnesota would help her succeed was reasonable.

"Hey, I decided to take a shortcut to get there faster."
"Did you get there faster?"
"No, it took twice as long. But I'm happy."
"Well given that I have no reason to question your decision to take the shortcut"

[Pyperkub]

Admissions are one thing, what is the actual end game in this exercise? These dimwits aren't going to suddenly be competitive with the geniuses legitimately enrolled at the school. Those who are there on fake sports scholarships aren't going to discover they were idiot savants at football all along. Assuming they cheated and bribed their way to graduation, they aren't going to wow an employer with their brilliance. Are those parents hoping their little dullards will someday become an infamous national embarrassment in the vein of a certain orange clown?

One of the kids was on the news this morning saying she was only interested in the college partying experience. Academic stuff? Not her thing.

The thing is that, for most private schools, once you get in, they do their best to keep you in.

Public schools are the ones who try to weed out the chaff.

[Scuzz]

Admissions are one thing, what is the actual end game in this exercise? These dimwits aren't going to suddenly be competitive with the geniuses legitimately enrolled at the school. Those who are there on fake sports scholarships aren't going to discover they were idiot savants at football all along. Assuming they cheated and bribed their way to graduation, they aren't going to wow an employer with their brilliance. Are those parents hoping their little dullards will someday become an infamous national embarrassment in the vein of a certain orange clown?

This is my take, too. Those parents must have been prepared to pay any price/work any connections to get them the grades for a diploma as well -- they wouldn't spend all that money to get them into a program and then allow them to fail.

What burns me up most is the slot they took away from somebody who deserved it.

I heard a long time ago that the reason you go to a Stanford or USC is because of the connections you make at those schools are worth money.

I have to think this is a combination of parents expectations and spoiled children. I have also heard since yesterday that most colleges hold slots open for the wealthy and the "special". That includes everything from the kids of rich foreigners to minority kids.

[rittchard]

One of the kids was on the news this morning saying she was only interested in the college partying experience. Academic stuff? Not her thing.

Lori Loughlin's daughter. She's now a social media "influencer" and I'm sure she'll be able to leverage her college experience for advertising and modeling deals. Without a Kardashian family member to springboard off of, the next best thing is to Instagram and hashtag products in your college dorm room, I guess.

She's super cute so she gets a pass

Also she seems super smart!!

[LawBeefaroni]

This is my take, too. Those parents must have been prepared to pay any price/work any connections to get them the grades for a diploma as well -- they wouldn't spend all that money to get them into a program and then allow them to fail.

What burns me up most is the slot they took away from somebody who deserved it.

Years ago, I heard an interesting story on NPR. It was an interview with prodigal student who was accepted with scholarship at all of the Ivy League schools, but opted instead to go to University of Minnesota. Her reasoning was competing with the best in the world not only adds stress to the whole college experience...she was top in her class at Minnesota, but might have been middle of the pack at one of these other schools. Finishing at the top of the class at a state school is going to open doors just as well as, say, squeaking by with a D minus minus at Dartmouth; not to mention set one up with a winning and not losing mindset.

Interesting concept but what is she doing now, compared to your average middle of the pack Ivy Leaguer?

If she's happy, does it matter?

Sure it would. Her rationale was two-part, that by going to Minnesota she would: (1) be happier; and (2) be just as competitive at the top of Minnesota than in the middle of the Ivy League. How is she doing gets at whether #2 is true or not.

I disagree. Motivations change. Where she ended up doesn't necessarily reflect at all on the original choice.

It just seems like "whether she succeeded" is a relevant consideration as to whether her belief that Minnesota would help her succeed was reasonable.

"Hey, I decided to take a shortcut to get there faster."
"Did you get there faster?"
"No, it took twice as long. But I'm happy."
"Well given that I have no reason to question your decision to take the shortcut"

Exactly.

And she may have ended up even happier joining the circus. But that's not the point of the exercise.

[Holman]

I have to think this is a combination of parents expectations and spoiled children. I have also heard since yesterday that most colleges hold slots open for the wealthy and the "special". That includes everything from the kids of rich foreigners to minority kids.

Universities will *always* add room for students paying full tuition (as the rich foreigners do).

They don't even have to hold spots; they just add as many as they can get. If they run out of dorm space, they'll contract with a nearby hotel.

[Scuzz]

I have to think this is a combination of parents expectations and spoiled children. I have also heard since yesterday that most colleges hold slots open for the wealthy and the "special". That includes everything from the kids of rich foreigners to minority kids.

Universities will *always* add room for students paying full tuition (as the rich foreigners do).

They don't even have to hold spots; they just add as many as they can get. If they run out of dorm space, they'll contract with a nearby hotel.

During the budget crunch in California there were schools saying that they feared that the price of rising tuition would drive off the "out of state" money they need so badly. But I also am aware that many schools simply have some programs fill up and once that happens there is no getting in. It is not a matter of dorm space, it is class space. Although in this era of more and more on line classes that may soon no longer be a problem.