How to Blow $2 Million Trying to Get Into Harvard, Without Getting Into Harvard

This Boston Globe story on a Hong Kong family that decided to hire the "admissions consultant" firm IvyAdmit—led by a former Harvard professor—to get their kids into Harvard must be read to be believed. There is a lawsuit now, of course. Briefly:

According to the suit, [consultant Mark] Zimny warned the Chows against giving to schools directly. "Embedded racism" made development offices wary of Asian donors, he allegedly advised them; better to use his company as a middleman.

Over two years, the Chows gave IvyAdmit $2.2 million.

No, the Chows' kids did not get into Harvard.

Always, always bribe the school directly. Can't stress this enough.

[Boston Globe via Inside Higher Ed. Photo: Patricia Drury/ Flickr]