March 2019
Dear Gunston Community:
Over the past week, I know that many of us have been mentally marinating on the recent scandal in which wealthy parents used bribes to help their children gain admissions to highly selective colleges and universities. This is a news story with legs, though much of the coverage reminds me of the famous line from the film Casablanca: "I am shocked—shocked—to find that gambling is going on in here!"
At Gunston, we are in constant battle with a wider college admissions culture that values results more than process and which often sends the unhealthy message to young people that "where you go is who you will become." Study after study has shown that admission to a highly selective college or university is neither a guarantee nor a barrier to economic or professional success.
In regard to other metrics of success—moral excellence, a commitment to making the world a better place, and personal and professional satisfaction—one thing seems clear from this recent incident: "getting in" is not necessarily related to "getting ahead". Meanwhile, media outlets have largely focused on how these families distorted the college process itself rather than what seems to be the far more important issue: the parental moral malpractice of distorting one's own children.
At Gunston, we believe that the core purpose of education is to teach every student how to use their mind well and to understand what it means to be an ethical human being and citizen. Our program inspires students to become lifelong learners, which typically includes college and often graduate school. As I like to say, "Answering the question 'Where do I want to go to college?' usually begins with the question 'Who am I as a student and learner?'" In this regard, our college guidance program supports students in maximizing their college options while rejecting the gamification of the process.
Warm Regards,
John Lewis
Head of School