Many college advisers have reported that their clients are understandably upset regarding Cornell University’s alleged mishandling of a fraternity gang rape incident. As a result, numerous families are now reconsidering their plans for early applications to this Ivy League school.
Amanda Uhry, founder of Manhattan Private Schools Advisors, stated that all seven of her clients initially intending to apply Early Decision to Cornell for the class of 2027 have now opted out entirely. Interestingly, three of these parents are Cornell alumni.
“The parents will not permit them to go after what happened,” Uhry explained, emphasizing their frustration and disappointment.
Christopher Rim, another adviser, mentioned that his clients feel “shocked” by Cornell’s alleged attempts to protect the accused students, with international families particularly worried about safety at the institution. “They ask if it’s safe to go there and if that’s how all US schools handle serious allegations,” he noted, reflecting a broader concern among parents about their children’s welfare.
Rim, the CEO of Command Education, stressed that global parents want reassurance about their kids’ safety, but questions remain unanswered.
Here’s the latest on the Cornell frat probe:
The rise of these concerns stems from a lawsuit filed by a former student who claims several members of the Chi Phi fraternity drugged and raped her at their Ithaca house in late 2024. In her suit, the woman, then 20, alleges that many of the individuals involved were not held accountable by Cornell, as the school allowed them to “mitigate their conduct” by writing essays instead.
While the university has confirmed that it suspended or expelled some students involved, the exact number remains undisclosed.
Uhry expressed disbelief at Cornell’s approach, questioning what the school expected would happen after this incident. She brought attention to the school’s decision to have students write essays rather than directly contacting police, saying, “They thought they were above the law.”
She anticipates a notable decline in applications to Cornell, as many families, particularly parents of potential female applicants, are deeply unsettled. “Nobody’s thinking about applying to Cornell anymore,” she remarked.
Moreover, Uhry highlighted that the implications of this situation could last longer. Other prestigious institutions such as Harvard and Columbia, she pointed out, still feel the repercussions of their own controversies from earlier that year.
This single incident, while alarming, might also reflect a broader issue. Uhry raised a critical question about why Ivy League schools believe they can evade accountability, asserting, “They’re not.”
She further suggested that wealthy donors might reconsider their support as this controversy unfolds. “When money and power come into play, anything can be covered up — that’s the way it works,” she concluded.
