In 2019, after pleading guilty in a high-profile college admissions scandal that embroiled prestigious universities such as Yale, Georgetown, and USC, William “Rick” Singer found himself residing in a halfway house in the Los Angeles area. Despite the circumstances surrounding his conviction, he has continued to offer consulting services to college applicants.
According to federal investigations, Singer was accused of bribing school officials, aiding students in cheating on exams, and fabricating athletic accomplishments to secure admissions for affluent students. His charges included fraud, money laundering, and obstruction of justice. Notable figures like actresses Felicity Huffman and Lori Loughlin ended up in prison for their involvement in using Singer’s “side-door” methods to help their children gain entry into elite colleges. His operation, the Key Worldwide Foundation, reportedly generated over $25 million from these fraudulent activities, with wealthy parents able to claim donations as tax deductions.
In a recent ABC report, Singer recounted that during the last college admissions season while serving time in a federal prison in Florida, he received an email from a student seeking help with his application. “The coolest thing happened,” Singer said. The student provided his grades and accomplishments, and after Singer offered some advice, he was admitted to his top choice school this past March.
This summer, Singer launched a new consulting venture called ID Future Stars, claiming that students he advises have an 80% to 96% chance of being accepted into their preferred schools. His website states, “Our success is the best endorsement.”
However, the 64-year-old Singer’s return to college admissions consulting may face significant hurdles. In an interview with Fox News, he acknowledged, “The FBI, federal prosecutors, and everyone in the world have accused me of crimes that I did indeed commit.”
Currently, Singer lives quietly in a Los Angeles halfway house, often going unrecognized. He was sentenced to 42 months in prison and will remain in the halfway house until the end of his term.
Singer expressed his desire to apologize to all the families, children, and educational institutions that were affected by his actions, as well as to his own family. He maintained that his fraud did not directly displace any deserving students and argued that the scandal merely revealed existing practices in college admissions, such as reserving spots for outstanding athletes or those whose generous donations secure their acceptance.
When asked about the greatest harm caused by the admissions scandal, Singer pointed to the damage to reputations. “Reputation is everything,” he stated. However, he believes the media has not held college admissions officers to the same level of scrutiny. “They’re actually my partners in this; it takes two to tango.”
