Donations or bribes: How rich Singapore-based parents get their kids into elite US unis

Consulting firms reveal methods rich S'pore-based parents resort to in bid to get their kids into elite US unis

College admissions consultant William "Rick" Singer has pleaded guilty to charges related to the scandal, while actress Felicity Huffman (centre) and actress Lori Loughlin are allegedly involved. The University of Southern California (USC) in Los Ang
The University of Southern California (USC) in Los Angeles. Thirteen people – including Hollywood stars and prominent people with ties to the University of California, Los Angeles and USC – were among more than 50 people arrested on March 12 in a college admissions scandal involving wealthy parents and elite universities. PHOTO: AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE
College admissions consultant William "Rick" Singer has pleaded guilty to charges related to the scandal, while actress Felicity Huffman (centre) and actress Lori Loughlin are allegedly involved. The University of Southern California (USC) in Los Ang
College admissions consultant William “Rick” Singer (above) has pleaded guilty to charges related to the scandal, while actress Felicity Huffman and actress Lori Loughlin are allegedly involved. PHOTOS: REUTERS, AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE
College admissions consultant William "Rick" Singer has pleaded guilty to charges related to the scandal, while actress Felicity Huffman (centre) and actress Lori Loughlin are allegedly involved. The University of Southern California (USC) in Los Ang
College admissions consultant William "Rick" Singer has pleaded guilty to charges related to the scandal, while actress Felicity Huffman (above) and actress Lori Loughlin are allegedly involved. PHOTOS: REUTERS, AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE
College admissions consultant William "Rick" Singer has pleaded guilty to charges related to the scandal, while actress Felicity Huffman (centre) and actress Lori Loughlin are allegedly involved. The University of Southern California (USC) in Los Ang
College admissions consultant William "Rick" Singer has pleaded guilty to charges related to the scandal, while actress Felicity Huffman and actress Lori Loughlin (above) are allegedly involved.PHOTOS: REUTERS, AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE
Students at the National University of Singapore. The three oldest autonomous universities here say family ties and donations do not have a bearing on admissions.
Students at the National University of Singapore. The three oldest autonomous universities here say family ties and donations do not have a bearing on admissions.ST PHOTO: LEE JIA WEN
Published: 
May 19, 2019, 5:00 am SGT
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Last October, Mr Shaun Lim met the parents of a Singapore-based student at his office in Orchard Road.

Their son, who attends an international school here, had set his sights on attending Ivy League or elite American universities such as Harvard and Stanford.

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A version of this article appeared in the print edition of The Sunday Times on May 19, 2019, with the headline 'Donations or bribes?'. Subscribe
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