What we can learn from the Varsity Blues scandal
When the “Varsity Blues” college admissions scandal story first broke in 2019, I was shocked. I want to explore some of the issues that lead to this scandalous affair. My first question was - WHY? Why would uber-wealthy celebrities and other highly successful individuals choose to funnel hundreds of thousands of dollars and falsify records to get their children into specific universities? I found that despite the money, fame, and influence, the admissions process can feel uncertain even for the most well-connected families.
There are of course a lot of layers to this scandal that should be explored in depth, including privilege, affluence, access, racial disparity, criminal justice, and more. What I want to focus on in this blog is the admissions process, family dynamics, and empowering your child in a supporting role.
I. Can’t. Even. Imagine. What it must be like to give your child every opportunity, every privilege, and every advantage that money can buy and still choose to commit criminal acts to get them more than they deserve. The types of families embroiled in the Varsity Blues scandal can afford to put their children in the best schools, procure tutors and prep classes, send their kids to developmental summer camps, get elite athletic coaching, and schedule private counseling to make sure their children are set up for success. Lets acknowledge who the playing field is already so uneven for the average aspiring college prospect. Now, imagine the audacity of the families who decided their positions of privilege were not enough, so they chose to cheat and bribe their kids’ way into their school of choice.
Previously, I noted that there is no substitute for hard work in high school. These families were like -“Hold my Rolex”! Of course, in this circumstance, justice prevailed and at least the parents were held accountable for trying to subvert a “merit-based” admissions system. The irony is, in college admissions there is already a level of preferential treatment offered to legacy recruits, mega-donors, and alumni from elite private high schools. But for these families, VIP treatment was not enough, they wanted guarantees. Much of the stress in the college admissions process is the uncertainty. This is universal across all student groups. You can be a valedictorian, a violin virtuoso, and have the volunteer record of a saint and still be rejected from a selective college. The stress and uncertainty are what lead these parents to hijack this process from their kids.
Let me be blunt - it is a disservice to students if they are not steering the admissions process themselves. Obviously, the Varsity Blues scandal is an extreme example of parents intervening on behalf of their kids college journeys, but we can all learn from their mistakes. Choosing a college is the first major life choice that students will make. This is the first major financial investment for most students. This decision is a 4-year commitment of their time. I encourage parents to take a supporting role. Empower your children to manage the admissions process independently and allow them to be the ultimate decision maker. By stepping back, you are communicating trust and respect.
How can parents be supportive without micromanaging the admissions process? Expose your child to a multitude of opportunities, volunteer together, help them get organized, research colleges together, road trip to a college campus, sit down with a college or guidance counselor, and share about your experiences after high school. I would recommend that at least once a month you have a family meeting where you openly discuss college admissions and make an actionable plan. You can also get together with other families for additional support, build a support group (because the struggle is real)! Finally, don’t hesitate to hire a professional to help mediate some of these family meetings, it can take the pressure off both parties.
Sophie Roth
Hi I am Sophie Roth
Bach is a concierge college counseling service. Going to college is an investment of time and money, as with any other important investment it is wise to meet with experts to guide your decisions. Students who make informed, thoughtful, and intentional choices when selecting colleges will enjoy more success. Students who take ownership of the process for themselves will feel accomplished and empowered that they have made the right choice and will arrive on campus with confidence.
