I think in the old days, mom and dad donated big bucks and the kid got in.
Now they are trying to “legitimize” it via fake SAT scores and fake sports dossiers.
And again, I have to ask “So what?”
Rich people buying prestige goods (like college degrees).
It used to be private clubs. In my home town, you had to be in the country club to get any of the good contracts, till the non club members just started finding others to do the work. Then the permits got hung up, till someone (who raised me) called the state and had that little mess sorted out.
Buying their kids into to a school is more about connections that used to be had at those private clubs. Forcing your way in (as the lawsuit is trying to do) will not change that. You, or rather your kids, will be on a black list.
Seen it happen all my life. Stopped caring when I discovered that I don’t like any of the connected people. Except for the fact they want to kill us all, I don’t care what they do.
There are a lot worse crimes going unsolved for this media bit.