A parent identified as Jie Zhao purchased a home from a fencing coach at Harvard for hundreds of thousands of dollars more than it was worth. A little later, Zhao’s son was admitted into Harvard, reports the Boston Globe.
The revelation has thrust the Ivy League Institution into the college admissions scandal, a distinction it had avoided up to now.
“Harvard University was unaware of these circumstances until it was contacted by The Boston Globe, and is now undertaking an independent review of this matter. We are committed to ensuring the integrity of our recruitment practices,” said a statement the university provided to Inside Higher Ed.
The Globe reported the home was assessed at more than $500,000, but sold for nearly $1 million. Zhao told ABC News his purchase had nothing to do with his son getting into Harvard. He cited his son’s strong grades and other achievements.
The home was owned by Peter Brand, the fencing coach at Harvard.
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