Anne Kim, senior editor at Washington Monthly, joins the show to explore the rise of video admissions essays and the growing cottage industry built to support them.

Reporting in The New York Times finds that schools are turning to little-known consultants to optimize how much they charge.

Counselors offer services like essay editing, extracurricular guidance and university visit scheduling — sometimes for a six figure price.

Plaintiffs in a 2022 class-action lawsuit against 17 elite colleges who allege the schools colluded in determining financial aid packages are seeking $685 million in damages.

Dartmouth announced that it would once again require the test scores as part of applications after suspending their use in 2020.

For the educational institution, the practice increases certainty around admissions. Critics say it undermines fairness.

While some colleges are dropping their legacy admissions policy, there are less formal benefits for those with family connections.

But many schools are expected to hang on to legacy admissions for financial reasons.

Some schools might weigh socio-economic status more heavily. Others could consider reducing legacy admits

More schools are willing to say: If your grades (and maybe test scores) are good enough, you’re in!