Stanford expels student admitted with falsified sailing credentials

The community college I went to has a special program with Stanford where the faculty of the CC will, on a VERY rare occasion, nominate a student they feel is mature, smart, and driven enough to a research program they collaborate on.

From my knowledge, every student who has gone into this program has gotten into Stanford.

My transfer application was rejected 2 years in a row, so I was very honored when, during the fall in which I had moved to NY for the school I accepted admissions to, I received an email inviting me to the program.

I was also a bit frustrated, as you can imagine. So, my response was along the lines of "thank you so much for this opportunity, but I'm not so sure commuting 5000 miles each week is practical. Please let another qualified applicant take my place."

A little more context: I had been at the CC for 6 years. The first 2 I almost flunked out, but I turned that around into getting A's and being on the dean's list every quarter. However, averaging 2 years of failed grades meant it would take insanely long to get into the high 3.x's. But my history showed a complete turnaround and ambitious drive towards a goal.

The fall a year later I received another email inviting me to the program. The CC faculty were so used to having me around they just assumed I was still on campus (several wrote me recommendation letters and I'm pretty sure I told them I was transferring).

I responded in a similar fashion as I did the year prior, and then I proceeded to start the PhD program early at my university.

My family doesn't have lots of money or connections. I was never a stellar student (until that 3rd year at the CC and beyond) but I excelled at whatever I set my sights on. I'm glad I went where I did. I did some really awesome things, met some phenomenal people, and united with my better half. However, same as the job search, I've always wondered if my potential place was taken by someone who cheated, made themselves look legit especially when they weren't, or otherwise finagled their way in.

I know I couldn't do it. That's why I stopped playing sports competitively. The cheating was ridiculous and it was worse that the refs stood by it. I want to be excellent and deserve that spot, not mediocre but dressed to look excellent and getting that spot.

If those getting into top schools include cheaters, the likes of which have come to light in the past weeks, then those people are going to get the credibility from having that institution associated with them, the network from being there, and so much more that benefits them and validates the lived lie.