Audit shows University of California improperly admitted students as favors to donors, family and friends

The University of California improperly allowed 64 students admissions to the school as favors to donors, family, and friends, according to a state audit.

The audit was released Tuesday and it also revealed staff falsely designated 22 of the applicants as student-athlete recruits due to donations or favors to families with connections to the school, said California State Auditor Elaine Howle.

“We conclude that the university has allowed for improper influence in admissions decisions, and it has not treated applicants fairly or consistently,” said a letter signed by Howle.

The letter also said the University of California at Berkeley, admitted 42 less-qualified student applicants based on connections to donors, leadership, and staff.

The audit underscores California’s second significant effort in recent years to examine UC’s admissions standards following the 2016 review of the impact of growing nonresident student enrollment on California applicants, The Los Angeles Times reported.

The audit was conducted following the high-profile 2019 national college admissions scandal that ensnared a number of celebrities and elite universities across the nation when it was revealed that some students were admitted to prestigious universities after their parents paid to have their entrance exams and materials falsely inflated.

“The University will swiftly address the concerns the State Auditor raised. Furthermore, individuals involved in improper activities will be disciplined appropriately,” UC President Michael V. Drake said Tuesday.

Drake added that UC would follow the California State Auditor’s recommendations to “advance the significant progress the University has made in the past year following two internal audits, which identified many of the same issues the State Auditor raised.”