The College Admissions Scandal: A Product of American Capitalism
Is there truly an “American Dream”?
By Neha Mehta
The Progressive Teen Staff Writer
BY NOW YOU’VE PROBABLY HEARD ABOUT THE LARGEST COLLEGE ADMISSIONS SCANDAL IN AMERICAN HISTORY: rich celebrities’ bribery of people and institutions to admit their kids to college. According to federal prosecutors, 50 people took part in a scheme comprised of cheating on or falsifying standardized tests, bribing coaches or recruiters to accept students as recruited athletes, or using middle-men to do work for them. Dubbed Operation Varsity Blues, this scandal is the most widespread of this kind in history. The truth is, we should not be at all surprised. This scandal is a perfect representation of the way that American capitalism puts money and wealth on a pedestal.
“Money can’t buy happiness” is a commonly used cliche in America. Money may not buy happiness, but it sure can buy an elite education. America’s richest tend to use college as social status, and the prestige of their university determines their status. One of the celebrities caught in the middle of the scandal, Mossimo Giannulli, is quoted in an exchange with a cooperating witness, saying “we just met with (our older daughter’s) college counselor this am. I’d like to maybe sit with you after your session with the girls as I have some concerns and want to fully understand the game plan and make sure we have a roadmap for success as it relates to (our daughter) and getting her into a school other than ASU!” This clearly shows the desire for not just a college education, but one at an elite university. This is the height of privilege, considering many people have hopes to attend any college or university and are unable to due to lack of financial resources. This scandal exemplifies the privilege of America’s elite, but this does not come as a surprise. What Operation Varsity Blues really brings to light is the harsh reality of racial and socioeconomic disparity in the college admissions process.
There are thousands of college and standardized test preparation courses out there advertised to increase scores and the likelihood of getting into college. The caveat, of course, is that they come at a premium. Popular test prep courses like Kaplan and Princeton Review cost around $1,000, and private tutors can charge anywhere from $100 to $1,500 an hour. The rich, who already have access to premier college preparatory private schools, are the ones able to afford these courses, while students in underprivileged and underfunded schools don’t have the same quality of education nor the financial means to pay for these prep course. This furthers that the rich are the only ones who benefit from American capitalism, and goes to show that those born into wealth don’t truly have to work for anything. Hard work should pay off, but in America, paying people off substitutes for hard work.
America’s elite isn’t just using illegal means of getting students into college. For them, it is as simple as donating a large sum of money that goes towards a building or library. Wealthy parents can still buy their children’s way into college through legal courses of action. Additionally, parents with copious amounts of money are able to use their wealth and connections to help their children stand out, through paying exorbitant amounts of money for prestigious summer programs or travel for service projects.
Furthermore, children from affluent families are able to work unpaid internships because they don’t have a need for income. This not only “looks good” on college applications, but gives them relevant work experience in their desired field to take with them as a resumé boost. This is a privilege that some children do not have access to as they need to work to help pay the bills or have to watch younger siblings because their parents can’t afford a babysitter. This not only affects them in the college admissions process but also in the job market, widening the gap between the rich and the poor.
This widespread scandal served only to show us what we already knew and shine a light on the struggles that underprivileged children face in the college admissions process. It is incredibly difficult to work toward a college education, to see hardworking individuals face rejection from these class gateways, and to watch unqualified candidates gain admission to elite universities. Money speaks, but the people speak louder. This scandal should encourage all of us to fight the system that works solely for the rich to make it work for everyone.
