In early 2019, the largest college cheating scam in history - ever - surfaced. Its name? Operation Varsity Blues. It quickly became the highlight of United States media outlets. The scheme was mentioned everywhere, from YouTube videos to morning talk shows.

What happened to deserve or spark that type of notoriety? In short, the expose detailed the illicit practices that elite families used to ensure their children received admission into America's top colleges—while deserving students from lower-wealth families saw acceptance rates to their dream schools plummet.

Netflix released a feature on this scandal in recent weeks, a piece entitled ‘Operation Varsity Blues: The College Admissions Scandal.' In it, viewers can learn all about how the operator of the scheme managed to get hundreds of students into top schools over the course of several years.

Varsity Blues Schemer Exploited ‘Side Door' Entrance Into Prestigious Universities

The Netflix documentary sought first to paint a picture of hardworking students who put in years of effort to inch up their test scores, keep their grades up, and keep a portfolio of impressive extracurriculars. Usually, American universities reward this hard work with an admission letter. The idea stands true for those who don't put in the time or effort: They don't receive admission.

Rick Singer, the man behind the Varsity Blues scheme, had an idea for a workaround.

He posited that there are two usual ways to get into a top university: The front door, or the back. The ‘front door' represents the application-and-hard-work method. The ‘back door' involves donating a large amount of money so a student can get in—potentially, regardless of their merit. This practice remains legal because there is no assurance of admission, but it's a relative certainty.

Rick Singer thought that there might be a third way into a top university—the side door. To open this door, he facilitated ‘fraudulent bribes and corroboration' with the faculty of prestigious schools. He focused on athletic departments, forging connections with coaches who would vouch for his client's children when it came time for a school to make admissions decisions.

In light of this new information, it's easy to get more frustrated than ever by the very competitive college admissions process. It's also easy for colleges to accuse students and families of cheating in their attempts to forestall this type of dishonest behavior.

College admissions don't need to be more confusing than they already are. If you find yourself in a situation where you need advice or a strong defense, reach out to the Lento Law Firm.

A Student Defense Attorney Ready to Come to Your Aid

When you face accusations of misconduct or dishonesty, you need to work hard to make sure that those allegations don't impact your family's future. Joseph D. Lento has unparalleled experience effectively defending students from harsh discipline by academic institutions across America. He can do the same for you. Call 888.535.3686 today to schedule a consultation.