The University of Illinois admits unqualified applicants with political ties
For the past decade or perhaps even longer, high-ranking officials at the University of Illinois were found to have given preferential treatment to applicants with connections to politicians and those who supported the school financially.
While this isn’t unheard of at other institutions, the practice at the University of Illinois was significantly more widespread and went so far as to accept completely unqualified applicants based solely on influential friends and family. Called “Category I” by those who participated in these admissions deals, it is estimated that 800 applicants benefited from the process from 2005-2009 alone.
