We ask students and faculty at West Essex on their reaction about the recent college scandal that was leaked on March 12, 2019. 50 people who were allegedly part of a college scheme to persuade admission counselors on their choices on who’s in and who’s not were caught and charged. These counselors used money from parents to change test scores and bribe college officials choices.

Teacher Mr. McNaught

1. What was your initial reaction? 
   1. “I was mad at my parents for not getting me into a better school”
2. Why were you most surprised?
   1. “I think the athletics part and that coaches were being paid off that surprised me”
3. What kind of punishments should these people get? Not just the parents but the kids too.
   1. “I think they got to go through the whole process again let the kids apply legitimately and have colleges accept them based on their major”
4. Do you think it’s fair that either way they can pay their way out?
   1. “There’s only so much the process that the process can do.” 
5. What do you think this is going to do for the future of college acceptance?
   1. “I don’t think it’s going to do anything, colleges are businesses”

Senior Serena Petullo

1. What was your initial reaction?
   1. “I thought it was sad how that girl who probably isn’t smart enough to get in the school took someones elses spot who was deserving.”
2. Why were you most surprised?
   1. “I was surprised that she committed to a school The kid that got in for golfing I think that’s crazy.”
3. What kind of punishments should these people get? Not just the parents but the kids too.
   1. “They should be fined tuition for a person that didn’t get in, and the person who got in shouldn’t go there anymore.”
4. Do you think it’s fair that either way they can pay their way out?
   1. “I don’t think its fair but I think prison is a little too much.”
5. What do you think this is going to do for the future of college acceptance?
   1. “They’re not gonna change anything, they only care about money.”

Senior Matt Mierzwa

1. What was your initial reaction?
   1. “It’s just a bunch of rich people buying their way into college.”
2. Why were you most surprised?
   1. “It’s insane how much money parents would spend on that.”
3. What kind of punishments should these people get? Not just the parents but the kids too.
   1. “The kids should get kicked out of the school, I would say jail time but they can just pay their way out.”
4. Do you think it’s fair that either way they can pay their way out?
   1. “Not it’s not fair because people don’t have money can’t do that they have special privilege.”
5. What do you think this is going to do for the future of college acceptance?
   1. “I think there will be more checking up on college admissions and more checking up on coaches to make sure they’re not making faulty claims.”

Senior Victoria Rizzo

1. What was your initial reaction?
   1. “I was shocked colleges would do that.”
2. Why were you most surprised?
   1. “That colleges would do that.”
3. What kind of punishments should these people get? Not just the parents but the kids too.
   1. “They shouldn’t be allowed to go to college.”
4. Do you think it’s fair that either way they can pay their way out?
   1. “That’s just the lives they live.”
5. What do you think this is going to do for the future of college acceptance?
   1. “I would hope admission officials take acceptances more seriously.”