Ep 12. Scheme and Scandal: Inside the College Admissions Crisis

Scheme and Scandal: Inside the College Admissions Crisis is the twelfth episode of the fourth season of the CNN Special Report series. The episode delves deep into the college admissions scandal that rocked the United States in 2019. The scandal involved wealthy parents, including Hollywood celebrities and business executives, who paid hefty sums of money to ensure their children's admission into prestigious universities.

The episode features interviews with individuals involved in the case, including prosecutors, investigators, and experts in education and law. The episode sheds light on the mechanisms that these parents used to game the system, ranging from falsifying test results to bribing college officials. The episode also reveals the emotional toll that the scandal had on the students who were affected by the actions of their parents.

The episode discusses the wider implications of the scandal and how it exposed the flaws in the college admissions process. The episode highlights the inherent unfairness of the system, where wealthy families have an unfair advantage over those who do not have the same resources. The episode also explores how the scandal sparked a national conversation about the role of money and privilege in the American education system.

The episode does not shy away from the legal consequences of the scandal, either. The episode provides an in-depth look at the prosecutions of those involved in the scandal, including the high-profile case of actress Lori Loughlin and her husband, Mossimo Giannulli. The episode also discusses the debate over whether the punishments doled out were severe enough to serve as a deterrent to others who may consider similar actions in the future.

Throughout the episode, viewers get a glimpse of the behind-the-scenes workings of the scandal, including wiretapped phone calls and incriminating emails. The episode does an excellent job of breaking down the complex web of lies and deceit that allowed the scandal to persist for so long.

Scheme and Scandal: Inside the College Admissions Crisis is a comprehensive and thought-provoking look at one of the most high-profile examples of corruption in the American education system. Through interviews with those involved and detailed analysis of the case, the episode provides a deep understanding of the complex mechanisms that allow privilege to trump merit. The episode serves as a call to action, urging viewers to question the fairness of the admissions process and advocate for real change.