Rick Singer, the mastermind behind the 2019 college admissions scandal known as “Operation Varsity Blues,” was recently released from federal prison after serving 16 months for his role in one of the largest education fraud cases in U.S. history. In the scandal, Singer facilitated a system where wealthy parents paid large sums to get their children admitted into elite universities through falsified athletic profiles, bribed coaches, and altered test scores. His conviction resulted in a 3.5-year sentence, though he spent a reduced amount of time incarcerated, much of it in a halfway house.
Despite his high-profile fall from grace, Singer is re-entering the college consulting world. He claims to have turned over a new leaf, now focusing on “legitimate” services to help students and their families navigate the competitive college admissions process. According to Singer, even while he was imprisoned, parents continued to seek his expertise, highlighting the ongoing demand for personalized college counseling, even from someone with such a controversial history. His new company, ID Future Stars, aims to offer both college admissions advice and career guidance, including apprenticeships for high school graduates not pursuing higher education
This return to consulting has sparked debate about the future of the college admissions industry. Singer’s reentry raises serious questions about the ethical boundaries of the business. Before his downfall, he had amassed around $25 million through his “side door” scheme, which manipulated a broken system by taking advantage of the extreme pressures surrounding college admissions. His return to the field could revive concerns about the influence of wealth and privilege in the process.
The college consulting industry itself faces scrutiny as it evolves in the wake of the Varsity Blues scandal. The business model that Singer exploited — a high-pressure environment where parents feel compelled to seek any advantage for their children — remains intact. While legitimate consultants offer ethical advice and support, the broader system is still marred by inequalities. The industry is likely to face increased regulation or at least greater public skepticism, particularly in light of Singer’s new venture. His reemergence forces the industry to confront its practices and the trust families place in these services.
More broadly, the scandal has had lasting effects on how college admissions are viewed. It highlighted the vulnerabilities in the system and showcased how easily rules could be bent for the wealthy. The U.S. higher education system has already seen shifts, such as the removal of test-optional policies at many universities, partly in response to concerns about fairness and equity. Singer’s return might further ignite these discussions, prompting calls for more oversight of consultants, and reforms in admissions practices to ensure that students are judged on merit rather than on their family’s financial resources.
Singer’s conviction was a turning point in addressing corruption within the admissions system, but his release and return to consulting could signify that the forces driving this corruption — parental anxiety, wealth disparity, and the competitiveness of elite institutions — are still very much at play. Whether his claim of a reformed business model will gain traction or be met with resistance remains to be seen, but it undeniably pushes the conversation about college admissions and consulting into the spotlight once again.
Gerald Bradshaw is an international college admissions consultant with Bradshaw College Consulting in Crown Point.
