College admission scandal
Published in the Republican 2019
Carrie Writes
College Admissions Scandal
Carrie Barrepski
Last month, federal indictments were filed against fifty people across the country who used fraudulent tactics too get their children into elite colleges.
One example is William Singer, a “college admissions coach,” who told families to have their student fake a learning disability so they could obtain special accommodations to take the SAT or ACT tests. Some of these accommodations would be extra time or private settings, where students’ answers were corrected or someone else took the test in their name.
Disability advocates are concerned that accommodations for college admissions tests could be tightened and make life more difficult for those who truly need the accommodations. The accused parents paid $10,000 per exam to Singer, who last week pleaded guilty to such charges as conspiracy and racketeering.
The accommodations that were taken advantage of fall under the Americans With Disabilities Act that are intended to help students succeed in their college careers. One in four students at elite US universities benefit from these accommodations due to anxiety.
This scandal takes the spotlight away from those, like myself, who worked hard to get into college and achieve their goals. College is a place where anyone can learn and grow in their own way with the help of accommodations that are truly needed.