To the editor:

The college admissions scandal has captured the nation. There is widespread and justifiable outrage towards a few moneyed families whose arrogance and sense of entitlement led to indictments for fraud, bribery and perhaps some sobering time behind bars — in addition to their public humiliation.

But perhaps the greater issue, underlying this made-for-TV scandal, is the college admissions process itself.

What were once straight forward merit-based evaluations have become processes shrouded in secrecy with subjectively weighted factors including gender, geography, race, athletics, legacy, sexual identity, trustee relationships, among endless others.

So long as college admissions systems retain a black box approach, they are ripe for abuse, exploitation and “unfairness.” What college admissions need most is greater transparency. That’s the first step toward cleaning up any organizational mess.

JEFF PRITCHARD

Bainbridge Island