Louisiana College Admissions Scandal Decreases University Diversity

T.M. Landry College Prep accused of falsifying student applications to gain Ivy League admissions

Mar. 19, 2026 at 3:06am

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A college admissions scandal at T.M. Landry College Preparatory Academy in Breaux Bridge, Louisiana has led to a decrease in diversity at prestigious universities. Journalists Katie Benner and Erica L. Green's new book 'Miracle Children' details how the school falsified transcripts, essays, and recommendations to get Black students into Ivy League schools, despite the students often being academically behind their peers. This 'trading on racial stereotypes' exposed the rigged nature of elite college admissions, which the authors say favors the 'wealthiest and whitest' applicants.

Why it matters

The T.M. Landry scandal highlights systemic inequities in college admissions, where marginalized students feel compelled to lie about their backgrounds to gain access to top universities. It also comes amid declining acceptance rates at Ivy League schools and a Supreme Court ruling against affirmative action, raising concerns about the future diversity of elite institutions.

The details

T.M. Landry did not have an official curriculum and relied on independent student learning and rote memorization. To compensate, students applied to college with falsified transcripts and embellished personal essays and recommendation letters. The school's founder, Michael Landry, also faced allegations of physical and emotional abuse of students. The scandal led to state and federal investigations into the school's practices.

  • In 2018, an article by Katie Benner and Erica L. Green in The New York Times first exposed the T.M. Landry admissions scandal.
  • In 2026, Benner and Green published a book called 'Miracle Children' further detailing the scandal.
  • In 2018, the average acceptance rate to Ivy League schools was less than 7%.
  • In 2025, the Ivy League acceptance rate had decreased to 5.09%.
  • In 2018, 10.1% of Harvard's freshman class was Black or African American.

The players

T.M. Landry College Preparatory Academy

A private high school in Breaux Bridge, Louisiana that was accused of falsifying student applications to gain Ivy League admissions.

Michael Landry

The founder of T.M. Landry College Preparatory Academy who faced allegations of physical and emotional abuse of students.

Katie Benner

An investigative reporter who co-authored the 2018 New York Times article and the 2026 book 'Miracle Children' exposing the T.M. Landry admissions scandal.

Erica L. Green

An investigative reporter who co-authored the 2018 New York Times article and the 2026 book 'Miracle Children' exposing the T.M. Landry admissions scandal.

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What they’re saying

“If you're wealthy, you can buy a building and put your family's name on it, and that is how you're going to get into college. Why was it for Black students that the way they were going to get in was trading in their dignity and allowing themselves to be objects of pity for … white institutions?”

— Katie Benner, Investigative Reporter

“These [Ivy League] schools were created not for the best and brightest; they were created for the wealthiest and whitest. It's about what the country deems as valuable and who they deem as valuable and what opportunities are afforded to them.”

— Erica L. Green, Investigative Reporter

What’s next

The authors plan to continue investigating the broader issues of inequity and lack of diversity in elite higher education admissions.

The takeaway

The T.M. Landry admissions scandal exposed the systemic biases and barriers that marginalized students face in accessing top universities, despite their academic potential. This case highlights the need for more equitable and transparent college admissions practices that value merit over wealth and privilege.