14. Admissions Scandals: How Does This Affect You as an Applicant?

Being honest and truthful in your application is the first step to take when trying to get into the college of your dreams. It’s common to try and make ourselves look good in the application, but there is a fine line between trying to look good and lying. In this episode, Thomas shares some tips about this topic, citing the Varsity Blues Scandal - one of the most significant cases of this nature ever investigated. It’s crucial to understand this process: admissions based on merit are a priority for schools, and any misinformation provided in the application can result in the revoking of the admission at any time. Key Highlights The Varsity Blues Scandal was classified as a conspiracy. People involved in this fraud took advantage of loopholes in the admission process. You can’t control or prevent anyone from cheating. There is a fine line between lying and making yourself look good. All claims and statements need to match reality. Schools can and sometimes will revoke the admission if any misstatement arises. About Thomas Thomas is a parent and alumnus of the University of Pennsylvania. After earning his MBA at the Wharton School in 2003, he moved to Silicon Valley. For three years, he was director of admissions and financial aid at Wharton School. He worked closely with admissions professionals, students, alumni, and professors to create the best possible MBA class. Thomas has been an entrepreneur his entire life in the fields of finance, agriculture, wellness, and sporting goods. As the founder of Global Education Opportunities, he works with diverse and underserved communities to help them become successful college students. Thomas started the podcast Admittedly because he is passionate about demystifying the application process for parents and applicants. Follow Admittedly on social media TikTok: @admittedlypodcast Instagram: @admittedlypodcast