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New York University's independent student newspaper, established in 1973.

Washington Square News

New York University's independent student newspaper, established in 1973.

Washington Square News

New York University's independent student newspaper, established in 1973.

Washington Square News

“Operation Varsity Blues: The College Admissions Scandal” on Netflix tells the story about one man's impact on higher education. Actors play out reenactments of events in the dramatic documentary. 
(Illustration by Renee Shohet)

‘Operation Varsity Blues: The College Admissions Scandal’ defies documentary conventions

The story of how one man single-handedly ruptured the American higher education system. “Operation Varsity Blues: The College Admissions Scandal” is now available to stream on Netflix.
Candace Patrick, Staff Writer April 30, 2021

Just over two years ago, the college admissions scandal — later coined “Operation Varsity Blues” — sparked an uproar throughout the public, especially amongst students...

NYU’s admissions statistics show that New York University is no exception when it comes to an elite university admitting disproportionately wealthy students each year, despite boasting itself on its record-setting levels of diversity. Netflix’s documentary about the 2019 college admissions scandal, “Operation Varsity Blues: The College Admissions Scandal,” portrays the scandal as a one-off incident in an otherwise just system rather than a symptom of a national issue. (Staff Photo by Ryan Walker)

Opinion: The story that Netflix’s ‘Operation Varsity Blues’ documentary doesn’t tell

Netflix’s recent documentary “Operation Varsity Blues: The College Admissions Scandal” isn’t the riveting expose it intended to create. The film misses the mark when it comes to making a thought-provoking documentary.
Batoul Saleh, Staff Writer April 27, 2021

Last March, a new documentary centering around the 2019 college admissions scandal came to Netflix. While the docudrama's lackluster quality and melodramatic reenactments leave...