College Admissions scandal

I wanted to touch base on the recent College Admissions scandal. Please don't lose focus or confidence in your own college search.

Earlier this month, the biggest college admission scandal ever, nicknamed “Operation Varsity Blues” by the FBI, was revealed. Thirty-three powerful parents have been alleged of paying up to $6.5 million in bribes to guarantee their children acceptance to some of the most elite universities in the United States.

SAT and ACT results were altered; fake athletic profiles were made, some involving digitally altered photos; and college coaches were allegedly bribed to falsely recruit students for sports they had never played—all to guarantee children of wealthy parents admission to at least eight universities.

In seeking to find some positive in all of this, I know this will shed more light on others doing things like this as well as the importance of finding the right fit and NOT using influence (or money) to get into a place that you don't belong. (not the right fit) - so hopefully this scandal will give even more validity to our concept our finding the right fit for every one of our members.

THE NAME -

We have always talked about PERFECT FIT and NOT NAME - PERFECT FIT and NOT LEVEL. The first thing about this scandal that certainly stands out are the universities associated and the weight these “name-brand schools” carry. All eight named universities are ranked in the top 100 of the country by U.S. News & World Report, and seven are in the top 50. These are colleges that students and parents will presumably do anything to gain admission to—and this scandal has only proven that belief to be true.

As a student, especially one searching for colleges, remember that these brand names are just that—names. And just because they’re ranked as a top school doesn’t mean they have to be your top school.

5-10 years down the road, it won’t matter if you attended a university in the top 100 or an unranked college. What will matter is whether you received an education that supported your particular needs and helped you meet the goals you wanted to achieve. You can definitely relate this to baseball and D1, D2 or D3 ... find the right college for YOU.

Consider yourself first as you navigate the college search, not the college. You are the most important part of your education. Names or the level of play does not lead to success — drive, determination and grit do - YOU DO.

Don’t let it affect your own college goals. Everything we have talked about in our goal setting meetings apply - we are 100% focused and engaged in finding the perfect college for you. You’ve got this!