There's nothing new here. People try to get their kids in the best schools possible and will do anything they can to help. I personally don't have a problem with parents paying for their kids' tuition (or at least help pay part of it) or if they get some help with people who work at these universities, so long as they follow the law doing it. I won't lie when it comes to trying to get into college, both acceptance and paying for it. However, this takes helping way too far, and this kind of bribery has been going on for years. The only thing new is that these people got caught. These parents and coaches should be prosecuted to the full extent of the law. I'll be curious as to how long these people will be in jail and to see if the justice system will actually do something against these people. Hitting them with a a fine is a slap on the wrist. They need to be treated like everyone else.
As bad as these people are, though, the universities are just as bad, if not worse. I understand being accepted into a school based on the academics and having to pay a little more for higher education. However, when it takes many people a few decades to pay off all their student loans and they're struggling to generate any sort of wealth because of it, there's a serious problem. The universities might say it's for the books and the facilities they provide or that it's for the research and the activities they do. Those might be part of it, but let's be real. It's so they can grow their own personal bank accounts. Not that I'm against making money because that's how we all make our living and if you're good at what you do, then more pay should head your way. But the way they go about it is ridiculous. Not that education isn't important, but it shouldn't have to cost 10s of thousands, in some cases 100s of thousands, of dollars just to get in. That's outrageous and many of these students coming out of college are not getting the education they needed.
In other words, they got ripped off. In addition, when universities give out scholarships for just being a minority, you know the system is rigged. And when they say you have to take bull$#!t courses like women's studies or other SJW courses just to get an undergrad for pre-med, you also know they're hitting you up for more money. My 2 brothers had to go another semester of college because of stupid courses like Introduction of the College Life and some sociology class. How is that not trying to pull more money off them and other students? I would contend that the real villains here are the heads of these colleges and universities. They, more than likely, knew about the bribery and wanted a piece of the pie. $6 million is a lot of money, and if they can build their prestige off of that, they will.
Given everything that we know about this scandal and these schools' reputation in overcharging and rigging the system (along with a lack of real education), is it worth going to college in today's world? Unless you're going in to be a doctor of some sorts or an engineer, I would almost say no. If rich people can cheat on getting their kids into college and universities can get away with charging way too much on tuition and making it extremely difficult for certain people to get in, you're throwing away money, time, and effort. If there are good trade schools, I would recommend going to them. Less money, to the point, and gets you the education you need. Even getting an education on your own and getting an apprenticeship under someone is a good way to go. So long as you get the information and education you need to have a successful future, you don't need college. Screw those institutes if they're going to continue their heinous practice.
