Recently, the news has been filled with information on 50 individuals who were charged with being part of a $25 million college admissions scandal. The scandal was based on students allegedly being admitted to prestigious universities based on false athletic resumes, and individuals helping potential students cheat on standardize admissions exams.
The Outlook editorial staff discussed the scandal and concluded that the actions taken by individuals in order to get their children into college and universities was wrong, frustrating, and that there needs to be repercussions.
It was known to the editors that these types of situations were not new. Throughout history, the elite have paid their way to the top. “Nepotism, favoritism, and bribery have always existed in colleges,” said one editor.
As hard-working students, many of the editors agreed that students should not be accepted into a school because they are a “legacy” or because of the public eye that their family is in. One editor vocalized the fact that they do not believe that “anyone should solely be accepted into a school based on status.”
“As a first-generation college student, I am very grateful for everything I’ve done to get this far. It is not taken for granted,” one editor stated.
Graduates of elite universities were being paid to take the standardized exams for perspective students. Many times, the student was allegedly unaware that their exam was being altered after they handed it to their proctor.
“I find it hard to believe that students’ don’t know their parents are doing this for them,” said one editor.
“I’m under the school of thought that being accepted into a college is an accomplishment that should be independently earned based on your own merit,” one editor said, reaffirming that grades and applications should not be altered.
“It is completely unethical for SAT and ACT scores to get changed because it is illegal, it is fraud, and they are legal documents, which is perjury,” continued the editor.
Student-athletes work hard to achieve success on the field or court. They put thousands of hours and dollars into their perspective sports, all in the hopes of receiving an athletic scholarship. According to the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA), “NCAA Divisions I and II schools provide more than $2.9 billion in athletics scholarships annually to more than 150,000 student-athletes.”
“If a student takes up a fake roster spot on a team, that’s one spot on the team that goes out the window for someone who needs the scholarship,” said an editor.
Coaches and administrators have been among those subpoenaed by the courts for partaking in accepting bribe money in order for students to be admitted to the institutions. “There’s no way that they were not aware, especially if they verified extensively. They’re either corrupt, irresponsible, or just incompetent—neither of which should be accepted in their position,” said an editor.
The editors agreed that paying others to take standardized exams and paying for athletic profiles to be made so that your child can get into an elite school is unethical.
“Fixing you child’s SAT score without their knowledge is not ethical at all. You’re not teaching your child anything by not making them work for their achievements. It’s not healthy and it’s not reality,” said an editor.
The Outlook editorial staff believe that we are all here for a reason and that we should be proud of what we have accomplished to get here. Colleges across the country should begin to take pride in their hard working students, rather than looking for famous names to add to their alumni lists.