Operation Varsity Blues: Takeaways from the College Admissions Scandal
Reenacting conversations based on a series of FBI phone taps, the Netflix documentary, Operation Varsity Blues: The College Admissions Scandal provides an in-depth look into the farthest-reaching college admissions scam in history. The documentary unpacks how college counselor, Rick Singer, aided over 750 students to secure spots into the nation's most prestigious colleges at the expense of deserving applicants. Through a series of interviews from professionals working in the field of education and those involved in the criminal prosecution, the documentary sheds light on the often demoralizing belief many students and families have that getting into a prestigious college is a direct measure of one's self-worth or success. This all-or-nothing perspective on the college admissions process has spurred individuals to take extreme measures in the pursuit of getting into brand-name colleges.
Beyond taking illegal action to gain admission into college, the documentary addresses the immense pressure students face and the other unhealthy choices they make that ultimately do not work to the students’ benefit in preparation for college. For example, overloading students’ schedules with as many AP classes as possible with the goal of gaining the highest GPA may hold them back from actively participating in extracurricular activities needed to build a persuasive college application. Beyond grades and test scores, maximizing students’ time and maintaining a healthy life balance is key to helping students build a foundation for success inside and outside of college.
The documentary underscores the importance of prioritizing a bigger picture view on higher education over the prestige of the university they attend. Going to universities like Harvard and USC does not ultimately guarantee that a student will be successful. With the individual goals of the student in mind, we at Kaplan Educational Group work to help our clients reach their highest potential and pick schools that fit their needs. The long-term success of each student is at the center of our counseling practices as we guide our clients towards academic and extracurricular strategies that illustrate their value to universities while developing their passions and strengths.
We encourage you to watch this documentary to learn about the factors in play regarding the admissions process and the impact of these choices on the overall success and well being of students: