Elite U.S. Universities Accused Of Favoring Wealthy Applicants

Fans file out of the stadium as clouds approach the Golden Dome and Basilica of the Sacred Heart on Oct. 12, 2024, in South Bend, Ind. (AP Photo/Michael Caterina, File)

New court filings in a class-action lawsuit against 17 elite U.S. universities have shed light on the preferential treatment given to wealthy and connected students in the admissions process. The filings reveal instances where university heads and admissions officials considered applicants based on their family connections and potential for future donations, raising concerns about fairness in the admissions process.

Examples from the filings include a prospective student being listed on the 'president's list' at Georgetown after her wealthy father's meeting with the university's then-president at an exclusive conference. Similarly, the dean of admissions at MIT admitted to admitting students recommended by a board chairman, even if they were not academically qualified.

The lawsuit alleges that these universities colluded to reduce competition for students, limit financial aid offers, and give special preference to wealthy donors' children. Several schools, including Brown, Columbia, and Yale, have settled the lawsuit and agreed to pay out millions in compensation to affected students.

However, some schools like MIT, Penn, and Notre Dame have denied the allegations of favoritism in admissions. MIT emphasized its history of independence in the admissions process, while Penn and Notre Dame stated that all admitted students are qualified and ready to succeed.

Instances of considering family connections and potential donations in admissions decisions were revealed.

Elite universities showed favoritism towards wealthy and connected applicants in admissions.

Examples include students listed on the 'president's list' and admissions based on recommendations from board chairmen.

The lawsuit also revealed instances where wealthy students with subpar academic backgrounds were admitted based on family connections and potential financial contributions. Some schools even gave preference to students who could pay full tuition, disadvantaging those in need of financial aid.

The lawsuit argues that these practices violated the need-blind admissions policies that these universities claimed to uphold, tarnishing the integrity of the admissions process.

The group of universities involved in the lawsuit had a shared approach to awarding financial aid, permitted by Congress under the condition of need-blind admissions. However, the lawsuit alleges that many schools favored alumni and donors' children, violating the Congressional exemption and leading to the dissolution of the group in recent years.