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'The World Is A Swamp': Your Reactions To The College Admissions Scandal
The recent college admissions scandal allegedly involved some parents hiring special proctors to administer entrance exams to their children and correct their answers. (Photo by Seth Perlman/AP) (Seth Perlman/AP)
The internet exploded on Tuesday when news broke that the FBI charged 50 people for allegedly taking part in a widespread college admissions scheme involving SAT proctors, millions in bribes, and, of course, your favorite 90's Hollywood celebs (and their Instagram-famous kids).
It's old news that wealthy teenagers have a leg up at the most elite academic insitutions-- their parents could always afford to send them to fancy private schools, pay hundreds of dollars for exam tutors, even hire coaches to help them with their personal essays. Not to mention legacy benefits, major donations, and the likelihood that if they're already traveling in certain social circles, it wouldn't be suprising if they happened to rub shoulders with someone who knows someone on the admissions committee who could maybe if it's not too much trouble put in a good word for young Bradley.
The shocking part of the story is how these parents (many of them from Southern California), who already had so many systemic advantages, allegedly made the leap to committing serious crimes like wiring money to admissions officers through a sham charity and staging photoshoots with their kids to make them look like pro-athletes.
And as if that weren't already enough, the whole thing is full of details straight out of a Lifetime Original Movie-- which will surely be coming soon-- from the title of the investigation (Operation Varsity Blues) to reports that said Instagram-famous daughter was on a yacht in the Bahamas owned by Grove developer Rick Caruso at the same time her mother was arrested.
But even after going through all of the think pieces, memes, and profiles of this guy, we still couldn't stop thinking about this story.
Which is why we turned to you, our loyal readers, to get your reactions. Here's what you said:
Reflections on race and privilege in America.
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As a person of color it proves an old adage that is shared in our homes, “Be twice as good!” We have to be, because not only are we coming out of schools that are significantly financially handicapped, but we may not even earn our spot, because some rich white kid paid their way.
— We did it Joe! (@iamjoecarnell) March 13, 2019
The shocker is that it’s actually illegal 🤷♀️
— 咲：saku (@_sakusakus) March 13, 2019
Growing up poor as dirt in the Central Valley it’s been obvious for a long time it’s about money for who gets into college
This story proves how privilege people live a much easier life than those who are underrepresented and aren’t given the equal opportunities. I’m proud of being a college student who earned her place in the classroom with my hard work.
— Estela (@eeesteeela) March 13, 2019
General sadness/anger/frustration.
It makes me angry and sad for all the kids who work to get into college, work their way through it and have have to work to pay it off. Parents should give their kids a chance to prove to themselves what they can do.
— Mary Cybriwsky (@LAMaryCyb) March 13, 2019
Now when I see an Ivy-League degree I have to stop to ask, did you earn that or buy that? #MakingAmericaIgnorantAgain
— 🌻🦇🌻 (@themonkaruski) March 13, 2019
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My son was denied admission to some of those schools. He’s an honor roll athlete, that volunteers for the parks & rec program. To say this upsetting is an understatement.
— LISSETTE QUINONEZ (@lizquinonez) March 14, 2019
Physically ill for so many reasons, I honestly don’t want to hear any more about it other than that people & institutions are being held accountable. Can’t handle losing any more faith in humanity...
— 🌻 alexandra M 🧭🦩 (@MiscAlex) March 14, 2019
Wait, what happens to the kids who are actually students at these schools now?
My reaction. pic.twitter.com/zN2aU8BLa2
— Rocky Barragan (@rockybarragan) March 13, 2019
I want to know how these obviously unqualified students expect to pass their classes & finish their degrees at these schools when the classes are populated by lots of kids who didn’t cheat and lie to get in
— IT (@eye_tee) March 13, 2019
Surprised but not that surprised.
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My first reaction was, "People are surprised that rich people pay to get their kids into USC?"
— Brian Jones (@ApeFroman) March 13, 2019
How is it different than legacy admissions and giving preference to kids of people that purchased buildings or donated thousands/millions?
— Valley Kid (@valley_kid1) March 13, 2019
W went to Yale and has a MBA from Harvard, POTUS went to Wharton, let's not even talk about Kushner... who are we really kidding here ?
— Florent (@Eiffeloh) March 14, 2019
It's shocking, but then again it's not. It's sad. Bribes we all knew were happening for decades is still happening and, wow LA rich bubble, why has this fraudulent culture been allowed to persist without any watch dogs catching it and reforming it ahead of UCLA and USC?
— Matt Sanderson (@MattySandz) March 13, 2019
Wait, what??
the daughter was on the freakin’ yacht of a USC trustee?! #theworldisaswamp
— Dan B. (@freezed00) March 13, 2019
I'm mostly having conversations about eating the rich tbh
— 🌻 spring vic 🌻 (@WoollyBlueCurls) March 13, 2019
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Read the rest of the comments here and add your own. There's a lot to unpack.
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You come to LAist because you want independent reporting and trustworthy local information. Our nonprofit newsroom doesn’t answer to shareholders looking to turn a profit. Instead, we answer to you and our communities. We are free to follow facts wherever they lead and to hold power to account without fear or favor. Our only loyalty is to our readers and listeners and our mission: to inform, engage, and strengthen Southern California’s communities.
If this story helped you, please become a monthly member today to help sustain this mission. It just takes 1 minute to donate below.
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