In a high-profile college admission scandal that has ensnared prestigious institutions such as Yale University, Georgetown University, and the University of Southern California, the main culprit, William “Rick” Singer, pleaded guilty in 2019 and is currently residing in a halfway house in the Los Angeles area. Despite his circumstances, he continues to offer consultancy services to college applicants.
Federal investigations revealed that Singer engaged in bribing school officials, assisted students in cheating on exams, and forged athletic performance records to help wealthy kids gain admission to elite schools. His charges included fraud, money laundering, and obstruction of justice. Notable figures like Hollywood actresses Felicity Huffman and Lori Loughlin were sentenced to prison due to their involvement in securing spots for their children in top universities through Singer’s illicit “side door” channels. Through the Key Worldwide Foundation, which he operated, Singer generated at least $25 million from these fraudulent admissions practices, allowing affluent parents to benefit from tax deductions on their donations to the foundation.
In an interview with ABC, Singer recounted an incident from last year during his incarceration in a Florida federal prison when a student reached out via email seeking help with his college application. The student provided his transcript and a list of achievements. After Singer offered a few suggestions, the student ended up getting accepted into his dream school this past March.
This summer, Singer launched a new consulting venture called ID Future Stars, claiming that students he mentors have an acceptance rate of between 80% and 96% at their preferred schools. His website boldly states, “Our success is the best endorsement.”
However, the 64-year-old Singer may face challenges re-entering the college admissions consultancy arena. In a recent interview with Fox News, he acknowledged, “The FBI and federal prosecutors have accused me of crimes that I’ve indeed committed.”
Presently living quietly in a halfway house in the Los Angeles area, Singer is rarely recognized. He was sentenced to 42 months in prison and will stay in the halfway house until his term is complete.
Singer has expressed his regret and said he wishes to apologize to all the families, children, and academic institutions affected by his actions, as well as to his family. Despite the scandal, he insists that no deserving student lost a spot because of his fraud, claiming that the case merely exposed existing practices in college admissions, such as reserving spots for students with exceptional athletic abilities or generous donations.
When asked about the greatest harm caused by the scandal, Singer pointed to the damage to reputations. He emphasized that reputation is paramount but feels the media has not scrutinized college admissions officers to the same degree. “They are actually my partners in this; it takes two to tango,” he concluded.
