The pandemic crisis is causing colleges to look at fundamental issues right now (like how to survive) so while concerns about legacy preference and athletics slots are taking a back burner for the moment, money matters now more than ever, as schools scrounge for full-paying students.
Those who can pay full freight (or maybe make some nice donations) look extra attractive. As the pandemic’s impact on higher education continues to evolve it may be even more important to scrutinize the ethics around admissions and the inequities baked into our system.
Melissa Korn and Jennifer Levitz are the Wall Street Journal reporters who have led much of the reporting on the shocking saga of “Operation Varsity Blues.” They have just written a new book: "Unacceptable: Privilege, Deceit & the Making of the College Admissions Scandal."