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Like most people, I am outraged by the college admissions scandal. As the parent of five adult children and as an admissions consultant for approximately 25 years, I view the alleged behavior of the parties accused in Operation Varsity Blues as shameful and repulsive.<\/p>\n
Although I have not played a role in writing this statement, I\u2019d like to share and endorse the response of the Association of International Graduate Admissions Consultants<\/a>, which I co-founded and where I served as first president several years ago.<\/p>\n The Association of International Graduate Admissions Consultants (AIGAC) was established with the express purpose of setting high ethical standards in the graduate admissions consulting industry and applauds the U.S. Justice Department\u2019s recent actions. Today, our membership consists of more than 200 members around the world who agree to our stated principles of good practice. These principles reflect the standards with which our members relate to their clients, graduate school applicants:<\/p>\n In order to become an AIGAC member, admissions consultancies must go through a rigorous membership application review that includes an intensive background check and approval by the AIGAC Board of Directors. In addition, a governance committee meets quarterly to reinforce members\u2019 continued commitment to meeting the high standards laid out in the organization\u2019s principles<\/a>.<\/p>\n << Click here to listen to the Admissions Straight Talk podcast: The Justice Department\u2019s Operation Varsity Blues case<\/a> is a reminder that the high-stakes admissions process is not just stressful, but can create opportunities for unethical players. AIGAC exists to provide support and professional development for those helping young people self-reflect through the admissions process and attain the right education in the right way. The current discussion around admissions practices\u2014good and bad\u2014creates an opportunity to provide greater clarity of the trustworthiness and distinguishing character traits of an AIGAC admissions consultant.<\/p>\n We, the leaders and member consultants of AIGAC, reaffirm our commitment to the high standards with which we serve our clients and prospective clients. AIGAC members are dedicated to demystifying the application process and helping applicants gain admission to schools that will enable them to realize sincere goals while upholding the integrity of the admissions process.<\/p>\n \u201cEach year, the association receives membership applications from consultancies that we deny because the consultancy fails to meet our highest ethical standards,\u201d says Brett Haber, president of AIGAC. \u201cThe recent admissions scandal demonstrates that not all self-described admissions consultants share high ideals. If someone promises you something that sounds too good to be true, for you or your child, then you should keep looking.\u201d<\/p>\n I\u2019d also like to quote Jason Gay, the Wall Street Journal\u2019s<\/em> sports columnist and father of young children, who wrote a scathing editorial<\/a> when the scandal broke. The last few lines really sum up the key lesson for any parent, applicant, or admissions consultant.<\/p>\n \u201cThere isn\u2019t a diploma in the world that\u2019s more valuable than your integrity\u2014and you can\u2019t buy your integrity back. These may be old-fashioned, na\u00efve notions, but I don\u2019t care. This is what I\u2019m telling my kids\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n It\u2019s worth repeating, and remembering: \u201cThere isn\u2019t a diploma in the world that\u2019s more valuable than your integrity\u2014and you can\u2019t buy your integrity back.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n Related Resources:<\/strong><\/p>\n \u2022 From Example to Exemplary<\/a>, a free guide to writing outstanding application essays This article<\/a> originally appeared on blog.accepted.com<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n Applying to a top b-school? The talented folks at Accepted have helped hundreds of applicants get accepted to their dream programs. Whether you are figuring out where to apply, writing your application essays, or prepping for your interviews, we are just a call (or click) away.<\/em><\/p>\n\n
\nInterviews with admissions committee members at top schools, students, and alumni doing great things! >><\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n![\"standing](\"https:\/\/gmatclub.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/12\/standing-out-and-fitting-in.jpeg\")
<\/a><\/p>\n![\"Linda](\"https:\/\/blog.accepted.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/06\/Linda-Abraham-150x150.jpg\" "\\"Linda")
By\u00a0Linda Abraham, president and founder of Accepted.\u00a0Want one of our admissions experts to help you get accepted? Click here to get in touch!<\/a><\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n
\n\u2022\u00a016 Grad School Application Mistakes You Don't Want to Make<\/a>, a podcast episode
\n\u2022 \u00a0Personal Statement Tip: Less is More<\/a><\/p>\n