Varsity Blues May 2026

When we think of getting into a top-tier university, we usually think of late-night study sessions, stressful SAT prep, and essays that try to pack four years of "personality" into 650 words. We think of merit.

The scandal didn't break the system. It just showed us how the system already worked for the rich. The only difference was that Singer’s clients were too impatient and too insecure to use the back door. They wanted a guarantee. Perhaps the biggest casualty of Varsity Blues is our collective belief in the American meritocracy. We want to believe that if you work hard, get the grades, and do the sport, you’ll get your shot. Varsity Blues

These parents weren't just buying a spot. They were stealing a spot from a real student. Somewhere out there, a high schooler who actually spent 6 AM practices on the water, who had the blisters and the calluses to prove their dedication to crew, got a rejection letter. That rejection letter wasn't sent because they weren't good enough. It was sent because a famous actress needed a "side door." When we think of getting into a top-tier

Then there was his invention: The Side Door. It just showed us how the system already worked for the rich

The "Varsity Blues" scandal was easy to prosecute because it was stupid . It involved direct bribery and faked photos. The real inequality in college admissions—legacy preferences, donor lists, and the ability to pay a $50,000 consultant to craft a perfect "hook"—remains perfectly legal.

The Varsity Blues scandal is over. But the anxiety it created? That’s just getting started.

But has the system changed?