In 2019, the world first became aware of Rick Singer, a supposed “mastermind” behind the now infamous College Admissions Scandal. Singer’s web of deceit entangled everyone from high-powered CEOS to Hollywood stars, capitalizing on the rising fever and fraud endemic in higher education. Singer, a slender yet brash ex-basketball coach ingratiated himself with dozens of families, coaches, and administrators in an attempt to exploit loopholes and oversights, ultimately rewarding his wealthy clients with what he called a “side door” into higher education.We now know that untold numbers of these marks were complicit or even conspiratorial in their cooperation with Singer.

Our guest Perry Kalmus, the COO of the Princeton Education Network and founder of AKALA, an organization committed to leveling the playing field in higher education is here to give us an insiders perspective of this story while reminding listeners that regardless of the schadenfreude that has dominated the tabloid media, hundreds of seemingly obscure or unknown colleges and universities can provide high quality, vocationally focused education for anyone who is willing to look beyond the outdated, high profile college rankings.