College Admissions in the News

Reading the news about the massive admissions scheme today was kind of depressing. Actually, it caused me to need a late-afternoon nap. I like to think the napping thing is about recharging and letting my brain rest so I can be a super problem solver. I’m going to keep thinking that. Anyway, back to the news. There are way more college consultants who work hard to uphold ethical standards than not. I’m a CEP (certified educational planner), member of NACAC and HECA. AFLAC. No. Not AFLAC. Those of us who take the time and put forth the effort to obtain and maintain these professional associations sometimes carry our credentials like shields or use them like swords. We don’t have to do that. We’re professionals who care about kids and aren’t crooks. Period. I think we should be talking about the damage done to the children caught up in this mess. Not just the kids who didn‘t get in because their parents couldn’t buy their admission. We should be talking about the kids who were made to feel so insufficient, unworthy, and not enough their parents became criminals. The children of these people are the real victims. Thinking they’re not enough and their value is measured by their parent’s wealth—and now everyone else knows too. Ugh. Imagine how they feel tonight—in their dorm or room at home—believing they are not enough. Makes me want to hug a rich, entitled, stressed out kid and tell them they are perfect-just as they are. And they should take a nap.