50 high-profile cases of college admissions fraud made public by the FBI last week have ignited a national conversation on college admission and wealth. The recent story is unique but the theme is not: wealthy parents can increase their child's likelihood of getting into elite schools through both legal, illegal and somewhat shady means. We discuss where money influences the merit-based system of college admissions and how schools act to even the playing field of economic advantage.
GUESTS:
- Maria Laskaris: Senior Private Counselor at Top Tier Admissionsand the Former Dean of Admissions and Financial Aid at Dartmouth College
Jessica Lahey: a teacher at Valley Vista in Bradford, VT, regular contributor to The Atlantic and New York Times, and the author of The Gift of Failure: How the Best Parents Learn to Let Go so Their Children Can Succeed.
Mentioned on the show
In case you missed it, here are a few links to topics from the show:
- The New Hampshire Higher Education Assistance Foundation, or NHHEAF, offers a suite of resources for students at every level, kindergarten through graduate school. Check out resources for planning for college here.
- A report on holistic, low-stress college admissions co-authored by Derryfield School's Brennan Barnard titled "Turning the Tide II: How Parents and High Schools Can Cultivate Ethical Character and Reduce Distress in The College Admissions Process." Find a bulleted list for parenting your college-bound child on their site.
- Read Jessica Lahey's recent articles on parenting your child through their education.