Univ staff testify in admission scam involving Indo-American

As investigation into admission irregularities at the University of Illinois proceeds, campus officials have testified that a student from India, who had been rejected thrice, was admitted to the varsity's B-school after an Indian-American trustee intervened.

As investigation into admission irregularities at the University of Illinois proceeds, campus officials have testified that a student from India, who had been rejected thrice, was admitted to the varsity's B-school after an Indian-American trustee intervened.

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University's e-mails point out at businessman Niranjan Shah's involvement in the applicant's admission to the MBA programme in March 2008 after he had been rejected at three different levels of review.

Suggesting that the student could be admitted "on probation" during the first year, Shah, now Chairman of the Board of Trustees, sought a quick response from authorities as he was planning to visit India.

Shah had asked chancellor Richard Herman to "review his (student's) application status" to which Herman replied, "I contacted the B-school and what I was told suggests strongly that he would have great difficulties".

The student's grade-point average and test scores were below the required standards and the MBA admissions committee "had serious concerns about his ability to handle the academics".