College Coaching Doesn’t Hurt the Poor

My clients’ kids are competing with other privileged children.

The college cheating scandal has prompted criticism of wealthy students who can afford expert coaching, including from firms like mine. It’s misguided. If you climb Mount Everest after receiving months of training, should folks dismiss your achievement because you had help?

There is a misconception circulating that advantages bought by the rich result in spots being stolen from the poor. This oversimplification distorts the reality of how elite schools’ admissions departments put together carefully balanced classes. Colleges...