What the College Admissions Scandal Means to a College Audition Coach

Published March 15th, 2019

Chelsea Diehl
Founder and College Audition Coach
My College Audition

This week’s news about the admissions scandal felt like a sucker punch to the gut. It is especially unsettling to learn that people who already have every advantage in this world at their fingertips would still decide to stoop to this level, and in the process undermine hardworking and deserving kids that are playing by the rules to achieve their dreams.

The component to this scandal that troubled me most of all is the lack of faith these parents had that their children would find a program that fits them (like all of you wonderful artists) based on their inherent gifts, talents and who they are as a human being. Putting aside the pain and embarrassment that these kids will now have to endure as a result of this scandal, whether they were aware of the scheme or not, their futures have been forever tainted and altered because their parents decided to take this egregious step on their behalf. Imagine arriving to your first ballet class at a top tier, supremely rigorous Musical Theatre program and not knowing what an arabesque is? Sitting in a high-level math course (because you “scored” extremely high in that section on the SATs) and not understanding one term or concept being thrown your way? This may be the reality for these students. Instead of celebrating where they are in their journey to their dream career, they are going to feel less than. Feel like they have to continually prove their worth. Be afraid to take risks and try new things for fear of judgment. It’s one thing to feel challenged, it’s another to feel less than and inferior.

Isn’t that the whole point of college? To take where you are today and nurture, mold and identify the parts of you that need work to be better for tomorrow? College is just the starting point, friends. Not the end game.

But what does that mean for the kids who play by the rules? Who work tirelessly day in and day out to be the best artist, student and human they possibly can be in an honest way? What it means is this: you are going to rightfully earn your spot in a college program meant for YOU. You are going to KNOW that you have been admitted to your program because of the honest, hard work that YOU put in. The temptation to do whatever it takes to get into your “dream” program or your child’s dream program can be overwhelming, I hear you. But I encourage you, instead of looking for shortcuts, take the long way home. Improve your skills, use your resources, mentors and teachers to make a “you” that you are proud to showcase. When you do this, you’ll ultimately find the program that deserves you and that works for you.

And when you do find that special program that deserves you, you are going to care. You are going to care so deeply about your program and all that it has to offer because you know what it took to gain this coveted spot. You are going to get to class on time, soak in all that your professors give you and remain thankful for an opportunity that not everyone is lucky enough to have. You won’t ever take for granted the gift of being able to study what you love. You can’t buy gratitude.

If you can take anything away from this, try to turn the anger you have into sympathy for these students. Remind yourself that rejections make you stronger. Remind yourself that you are exactly where you need to be. Remind yourself that hard work beats talent when talent doesn’t work hard.

And if you are one of the brave ones, the honest, hardworking, humble ones – remind yourself most of all to give yourself a pat on the back and your parents a hug. You both deserve it.

Want more? Read the reaction from a college admissions leader passionate about higher education.

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