UMC suburban college student lied about background to become prestigious Rhodes Scholar

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:For those who actually get caught, that is.

It is more common than you think, but people tend to not publicize when they get caught, for obvious reasons.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The power of victimhood.

+1 This. Victims are the new heroes. Pathetic.

Not at all. You stink.


The initial criminal complaint in 2014 includes a statement from a detective who noted that Fierceton was treated at a hospital for bruising and swelling that Fierceton claimed her mother caused by pushing her down the stairs. She also described an incident the previous day where her mother pushed her into a wall and an incident 7 months earlier where she slammed her face on a metal table, causing black eyes. Fierceton showed the detective a photograph of her injuries.

Original PP here. My point is broader than this single incident. I'm not doubting that the student was a victim of abuse, or suffered through hurtful circumstances. My point is that our society now has an unhealthy fetish with being a victim, as if that is a source of moral virtue, to be worn like a badge of honor, paraded and celebrated in the spotlight. Regardless of where you place the fault, whether it is with the student or the admissions officers - someone embellished the victim narrative. Why did they do this? Because in our society, being a victim is power, and this is not healthy.

[Anonymous]

Honest question to all the posters thinking this child is entirely justified in lying to gain another step on the ladder of prestige-is this someone you would enthusiastically hire & promote within your organization?

[Anonymous]

Like mother like daughter. Both mentally ill. She’s no prize but at least she can spell her own name. It’s so hard for elite universities to find just the right diversity student.

[Anonymous]

Or would you be happy and comfortable having her as a co-worker/team member? Be honest.

[Anonymous]

I work for an organization that supports low-income, first-generation students and we do take students who are in the foster system even if their families of origin earned degrees/are higher income.

[Anonymous]

“ She alleges that Penn conducted a “sham investigation” into her background, unjustifiably withheld her master’s degree and wrote a “secret letter” to the Rhodes committee to discredit her. The claim also accuses Wendy White, Penn’s general counsel, of threatening to “come after” both of Fierceton’s degrees if she did not give up her Rhodes Scholarship.

Furthermore, Fierceton claims in her suit that the school conducted its investigation because she had complained to administrators about insufficient access to emergency services at Penn after she had a seizure at school in early 2020.”

https://nypost.com/2022/01/11/rhodes-scholar-denied-honor-after-dishonesty-about-life-story/

Seems the school is really over reacting. Hope she wins her lawsuit. The school destroyed her life based on an admissions essay written when she was 17/18 years old? It seems like the facts in the essay back up her but there maybe be some embellishment? What is the right way to handle a promising 17 year old girl who is estranged from her family living in the foster care system writing an essay to get into college? Going Les Misérables on her is not productive.

She got into the school and did exceptionally well. What is the over all mission of the school and the Rhodes Scholarship? Does the school and Rhodes investigate and hold all students to the same standards- No.

[Anonymous]

Geez, this story is a mess!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:“ She alleges that Penn conducted a “sham investigation” into her background, unjustifiably withheld her master’s degree and wrote a “secret letter” to the Rhodes committee to discredit her. The claim also accuses Wendy White, Penn’s general counsel, of threatening to “come after” both of Fierceton’s degrees if she did not give up her Rhodes Scholarship.

Furthermore, Fierceton claims in her suit that the school conducted its investigation because she had complained to administrators about insufficient access to emergency services at Penn after she had a seizure at school in early 2020.”

https://nypost.com/2022/01/11/rhodes-scholar-denied-honor-after-dishonesty-about-life-story/

Seems the school is really over reacting. Hope she wins her lawsuit. The school destroyed her life based on an admissions essay written when she was 17/18 years old? It seems like the facts in the essay back up her but there maybe be some embellishment? What is the right way to handle a promising 17 year old girl who is estranged from her family living in the foster care system writing an essay to get into college? Going Les Misérables on her is not productive.

She got into the school and did exceptionally well. What is the over all mission of the school and the Rhodes Scholarship? Does the school and Rhodes investigate and hold all students to the same standards- No.

I believe the essay was part of her Rhodes application.

[Anonymous]

I think she’s psycho. There are probably incidents here and there that prove it. And when you are thinking of lying on an application to college: yes the Dean will call the school.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:“ She alleges that Penn conducted a “sham investigation” into her background, unjustifiably withheld her master’s degree and wrote a “secret letter” to the Rhodes committee to discredit her. The claim also accuses Wendy White, Penn’s general counsel, of threatening to “come after” both of Fierceton’s degrees if she did not give up her Rhodes Scholarship.

Furthermore, Fierceton claims in her suit that the school conducted its investigation because she had complained to administrators about insufficient access to emergency services at Penn after she had a seizure at school in early 2020.”

https://nypost.com/2022/01/11/rhodes-scholar-denied-honor-after-dishonesty-about-life-story/

Seems the school is really over reacting. Hope she wins her lawsuit. The school destroyed her life based on an admissions essay written when she was 17/18 years old? It seems like the facts in the essay back up her but there maybe be some embellishment? What is the right way to handle a promising 17 year old girl who is estranged from her family living in the foster care system writing an essay to get into college? Going Les Misérables on her is not productive.

She got into the school and did exceptionally well. What is the over all mission of the school and the Rhodes Scholarship? Does the school and Rhodes investigate and hold all students to the same standards- No.

?? Of course they do - if they get an anonymous tip that the student lied on their application. Kudos to Penn for following up on this and uncovering the deception. Also not that the Rhodes Committee determined she lied as well.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Honest question to all the posters thinking this child is entirely justified in lying to gain another step on the ladder of prestige-is this someone you would enthusiastically hire & promote within your organization?

Yes I would. She was a young high school student at the time without family support. Desperate people do desperate things. Once she got the chance she proved herself by receiving exceptionally high marks over 4 years at Penn state who recommended her to the Rhodes committee.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The power of victimhood.

+1 This. Victims are the new heroes. Pathetic.

Not at all. You stink.


The initial criminal complaint in 2014 includes a statement from a detective who noted that Fierceton was treated at a hospital for bruising and swelling that Fierceton claimed her mother caused by pushing her down the stairs. She also described an incident the previous day where her mother pushed her into a wall and an incident 7 months earlier where she slammed her face on a metal table, causing black eyes. Fierceton showed the detective a photograph of her injuries.

Original PP here. My point is broader than this single incident. I'm not doubting that the student was a victim of abuse, or suffered through hurtful circumstances. My point is that our society now has an unhealthy fetish with being a victim, as if that is a source of moral virtue, to be worn like a badge of honor, paraded and celebrated in the spotlight. Regardless of where you place the fault, whether it is with the student or the admissions officers - someone embellished the victim narrative. Why did they do this? Because in our society, being a victim is power, and this is not healthy.

I agree. And I worry that too many people are being elevated beyond their natural capabilities because of the cult of victimhood decides they need to be rewarded. This extends to identity politics as well. I'm not sure how it's all going to play out.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Honest question to all the posters thinking this child is entirely justified in lying to gain another step on the ladder of prestige-is this someone you would enthusiastically hire & promote within your organization?

Yes I would. She was a young high school student at the time without family support. Desperate people do desperate things. Once she got the chance she proved herself by receiving exceptionally high marks over 4 years at Penn state who recommended her to the Rhodes committee.

But she's a relentless liar who invents her own truths and she is not in politics. May I ask what industry you are in?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Honest question to all the posters thinking this child is entirely justified in lying to gain another step on the ladder of prestige-is this someone you would enthusiastically hire & promote within your organization?

Yes I would. She was a young high school student at the time without family support. Desperate people do desperate things. Once she got the chance she proved herself by receiving exceptionally high marks over 4 years at Penn state who recommended her to the Rhodes committee.

First of all Penn and Penn State are very different schools. And while SOME desperate people do desperate things,' integrity and truthfulness is a core societal value. She wasn't embellishing her life experience to get on the last plane out of Afghanistan, she was faking her way to the Ivy League and Oxford. By your standards, I guess Lori Laughlin's faux crew daughters deserve a Rhodes too?