Emails between USC's athletics department and admissions office were made public this week. They show the school had detailed lists of so-called “special interest applicants” with wealthy parents who made big donations to the school or could potentially make one.
The emails came out in the case of a Miami financier who’s among dozens of parents accused of cheating their kid’s way into USC and other top schools. His lawyer is now subpoenaing USC for more information on these flagged students and what their families donated. USC is fighting it, but the school’s system raises questions about how top colleges and universities consider wealth in their admissions process.