Melissa Korn
@melissakorn
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Deputy editor on the media team @WSJ. I like scoops, including those made of ice cream. Definitive book on #VarsityBlues, UNACCEPTABLE, out now!
Brooklyn, NY
Joined September 2009
I cannot bring myself to include a link, because why give it more air? But that op-ed belittling Jill Biden, urging her to drop the Dr., mocking her research on community college, likening her degree to an honorary doctorate, is disgusting. 1/2.
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There is a thick wall between the news and opinion operations of @WSJ, but it still saddens me that they'd print it. Which is the way I've felt about many op-eds over the years. Pieces like that make it harder for me to do my job. 2/2.
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My WSJ investigation w/ the inimitable @anfuller shows master's programs at prestigious private universities often leave grads in worse financial shape than those at for-profit colleges. 1/
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@kanyewest @NeilShahWSJ I feel it's important to vote if we truly want change. But you know, to each their own.
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In today’s installment of did-I-just-read-that-WSJ-headline-right:
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NEW: @AmherstCollege is eliminating legacy preference in admissions. Prez says there's a risk some alumni will be offended, "And it’s a risk that is important to take at this point.”.
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Colleges across the U.S. are trying to decide whether they can reopen campus for the fall, and how long they can put off a final decision. My latest, w/ @dougbelkin: via @WSJ.
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EXCLUSIVE: Yale, Georgetown, 14 other selective colleges are being sued for antitrust violations. Five former students claim the schools illegally colluded to limit financial aid.
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My latest: After colleges decide campus is too dangerous because of Covid-19 outbreaks, they send students home. Public health experts warn that's the worst thing they could do. via @WSJ.
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How long have you had your oldest item of clothing? Asking for a friend. A friend who is currently wearing a fabulous, cozy hoodie from junior year abroad in 2004-05. The cuffs are useless, sure. But the soft interior! The perfect slightly-faded blue! The memories!.
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Tomorrow I get to join my family and likely eat too much. Evan Gershkovich won't get that chance, not this year. Here's hoping he can break bread with his loved ones again very, very soon. #IStandwithEvan #JournalismIsNotACrime
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🚨Some news: After a decade covering general higher ed (and three years on business schools, and two on for-profit colleges), I'll be transitioning in the next few weeks to a new job as a deputy bureau chief with the @WSJ media team. 1/5🧵.
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NEW: .@netflix CEO @reedhastings and wife give $120M to HBCUs. “This is a watershed moment,” says @Morehouse president, saying that the gift values HBCUs on par with schools that usually get all the philanthropic attention.
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OMG LOOK WHAT CAME IN THE MAIL TODAY. AND YES THIS TWEET DESERVES ALL-CAPS TREATMENT. @jenniferlevitz
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As a parent of a NYC public school student, I am angry and sad and frustrated and disappointed. Still baffled about why we prioritized indoor workouts and indoor dining over education.
Breaking: New York City is closing its schools. The nation’s largest district is switching to fully remote learning as coronavirus sweeps across the U.S.
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@anfuller @ForsythJenn and I spent months scouring financial records from 50 flagship universities, across 20 years, to better understand why college is so expensive--and where all that money goes. A🧵on our investigation
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Why yes, I did just go to my local @BNBuzz and ask if they’d be willing to put a copy of UNACCEPTABLE in the window. And yes, the staffer had me sign a bunch of copies and put the ‘autographed copy’ sticker on. And yes, I got choked up as a lifelong dream came true.
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NYU is known as an expensive school. In an expensive city. But we were still struck by just how poorly it does on so many measure of student and parent debt and affordability. 1/6.
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NEW: @YaleLawSch is pulling out of the @usnews law school rankings -- a list they've topped for decades. Dean calls the ranking "profoundly flawed." So. who's next?
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To be clear, those white spots are where there are 0 OB/GYNs per 10,000 women aged 15+. Zero.
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It's been four weeks since my colleague Evan Gershkovich was arrested in Russia for doing his job. You can learn more about his work and global efforts to get him released: #IStandWithEvan
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Oh wow!!!.
Best Newspaper Investigative Reporting goes to @melissakorn and @anfuller of the @WSJ for their piece: "'Financially Hobbled for Life' The Elite Master's Degrees that Don't Pay Off." .
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Twenty-one years ago today, a bolt of lightning struck a tree during a bad storm on Long Island. The tree fell on my parents' car as they were driving not far from our house. My mother died. And my life changed forever. 1/4.
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Columbia's film program is the worst of any master's, in any field, at any major university, in terms of debt to early-career earnings. There, recent grads with federal loans borrowed a median $181,000--and had median earnings under $30,000 two years after graduation. 2/.
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NEW: @CommonApp is eliminating school-discipline question after finding Black applicants marked "yes" more than 2x as often as white applicants. Huge disparities in which school counselors flagged disciplinary records, too.
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Message from an admin at one of the jschools mentioned in the WSJ story: Can you send me the story text? I can't get past the paywall. Sigh.
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The University of Chicago agreed to pay $13.5 million to settle a lawsuit in which it was accused of illegally colluding with other top universities to limit financial aid to students. 16 other schools are still fighting the allegations. via @WSJ.
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NEW w/ @sgurman @ZushaElinson @jenniferlevitz: How a tip in a securities fraud case led to the unraveling of a massive college-admissions cheating scheme
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🚨🚨NEW w/ @anfuller “It feels like I’m kind of trapped.” NYU’s ignominious distinction: By many measures, it is the worst or among the worst schools for leaving families and graduate students drowning in debt.
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The admit rate for legacies is 2x overall rate at UVa, Georgetown, Notre Dame, Colgate. At Princeton, it's 4x overall. And at Harvard, it's 5x non-legacy rate. Legacy consideration stands as potential obstacle to increasing socioeconomic diversity via @WSJ.
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.@WSJ did a thing. A really big thing. We wrote a book. A FREE book, in fact. A free ebook about student loans and how to navigate the myths and misunderstandings of debt. The WSJ Guide to Student Loans is available for download here. 1/7.
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@CDP1882 It's not either-or. But voting is a core element of our democracy and he didn't even do that.
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@usedgov Because that implies the existence of sexual misconduct doesn't necessarily equate to hostile environment. 5/5.
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I could dwell on her death. But right now I choose to celebrate her life. The twinkle in her eye when planning our next big trip, her smile, her kindness and empathy, her strong sense of right and wrong. And, yes, her 1980s perms. 4/4.
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UNACCEPTABLE, the wild, true story about the rise and fall of Rick Singer, along with a deep dive into privilege, deceit and college admissions--written by @jenniferlevitz and myself--comes out July 21. Available to buy here:
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Today's the day! Publication day for UNACCEPTABLE! Exclamation mark!.Thanks to all of you who pre-ordered, and if you haven't, here's an easy link to buy it now: w/ @jenniferlevitz
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If your school was test optional, why are you boasting about a record-high median SAT score for your admitted class?.
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NEW w/ @anthonydb: A master's in journalism is no sure path to a decent job in a shrinking industry. @WSJ analysis shows some prestigious programs leave grads deep in debt, and with earnings far below what'll sustain regular loan payments 1/5
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Today is my last day in the office until February. I'll be out on book leave, pushing toward the finish line with @jenniferlevitz. Send productive thoughts!!.
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It boggles my mind that NYC is on the brink of needing to shut down in-person schools but indoor dining is still fine. Priorities, people. Know how you can eat restaurant food indoors? Order takeout. You’re welcome.
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Columbia's not the only wealthy school that expects students to turn to loans to fund master's degrees in low-paying fields. Debt-to-earnings ratios are extremely lopsided for programs at USC, NYU, Northwestern and plenty more. 5/.
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“They’re not really held accountable for the myth they’re selling to students,” said @ozanjaquette. These grads don't default, thanks to income-based repayment plans, but they also don't make progress paying off their loans, and there's no downside for the schools. 6/.
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Stunning. @ricardorossello said on @allinwithchris @chrislhayes tonight that 60% of PR population doesn't have access to potable water.
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.@MIT is reinstating its SAT/ACT score requirement beginning with class of 2027, citing access, equity and transparency among its reasons. I guess the toothpaste can go back in the tube after all.
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One student who couldn't take out loans was offered another fix -- a part-time job caring for President Bollinger's dogs, Arthur and Lucy. 4/.
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Interviews with dozens of current and former students, faculty and staff across Columbia show a pattern of administrators dismissing or downplaying the financial burden on students. The solution for some who sought help: A link to the @FAFSA. 3/.
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The numbers in this story are eye-popping. With interest accruing under an IBR plan, one Columbia MFA film grad's debt has ballooned to $331,000 from $233,000. Another left school last year with $364,000 in loans. 7/.
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“I’ve got granddaughters your age” is not the way to show you respect me as a professional/journalist/grown human.
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I get pretty excited when an undergrad, under the age of 22, tells me they're an avid @WSJ reader (and then references actual articles, proving they really do read it). This is our next generation of subscribers.
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Today marks 22 years since my mother died in a freak car accident. Every year, I think about where I was as that blustery day progressed — shopping, sitting together in traffic, back home, getting angry at her about something to do with my hair. 1/4.
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Kentucky spends more than twice as much each year to fund its men’s basketball program (>$18 million) as Saint Peter’s spends on its entire athletic department ($7 million). @lainehiggins17 @Bachscore break down a really wild upset via @WSJ.
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When you're a higher ed reporter and the people next to you in the coffee shop are talking about how excited they are to go off to college in a few weeks, it takes a lot of willpower to leave them to their own conversation and not interject.
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Harvard University names government scholar Claudine Gay as its next president--the first Black person to lead the Ivy League school. via @WSJ.
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NEW, with @jenniferlevitz: USC officials explicitly discussed how much money applicants’ families could donate when weighing admission decisions, emails show via @WSJ.
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And a reminder, tweeps: A lower admit rate doesn't make one school better than another. It just means it rejected more people. (And it's really easy to increase the denominator.).
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Very grateful on a blizzardy day like today that I have a roof, four walls, working heat and food to eat. Far too many people don't. I just donated to a food bank; if you can, please give to a cause supporting basic needs as well.
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"Mommy, if you know when the coronavirus is going to be over, will you tell me?" Heart. Broken.
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NEW w/ @jenniferlevitz: We've identified the student whose family allegedly paid Rick Singer $1.2M to facilitate her admission to Yale. Meet Sherry Guo. Also, we confirm the mystery $6.5M client is another family from China.
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An official welcome to @CPrattMedia, who starts as the new @WSJ education bureau chief today. So excited to have her. And to have our very own, standalone education bureau with reporting from @dougbelkin @Tawnell @leehawkins @lesliebrody and myself!.
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Today marks one week since my @WSJ colleague Evan Gershkovich was detained by Russian authorities on bogus espionage charges. Learn more about his tremendous work and unjust detention: #IStandWithEvan
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Today marks a dozen years for me at Dow Jones. #feelingold #breakingthemillenialmold #notajobhopper.
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If anyone needs me I'll be sobbing into my pillow for a while OK thanks. An hour ago, my daughter's teacher signed off their web meeting with "can't wait to see you in person on Monday!" and now. nope. The whiplash for these kiddos is real, and painful.
BREAKING - @NYCMayor announces in-person education is delayed for most students, and city will take a phased-in approach. Pre-K, 3K, District 75 - Sept 21.K-5 and K-8 - Sept 29.HS and Middle School - Thursday, Oct. 1.
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Email: "Hi Melissa, are you working on anything right now related to the pandemic's impact on higher education?" Hmm. let me check. .
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Holy big news, batman! Trump administration and Harvard/MIT settled, and government will rescind its newest rules regarding international students and online instruction. Full story coming soon, with @MHackman.
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Someone read a story I did about a student not being able to intern because she needed to work through school. His company reached out to her. It hired her for a paid internship. Nice reminder about what can happen when people read my stories.
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I have to cut a story draft from 1,600 words to about half that. (Holy over-reporting, Batman!) My husband asked if I can just delete the last few paragraphs. I responded with a death stare.
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🚨🚨NEW from me: @USGAO blasts colleges over financial aid letters, calling them inadequate and, in some cases, outright misleading about school costs and financing options
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NEW w/ @dougbelkin: The pandemic may give selective colleges an opening to overhaul their admissions processes. But there are plenty of factors working against a permanent shift.
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For those of you complaining that our big scoop on House HEA reauthorization plan is behind a paywall, let us suggest a subscription. That way, we can get paid and keep bringing you scoops.
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A goosebump-inducing look at what some passengers did in the hours before boarding Malaysia Airlines flight 370: http://t.co/jX74c4ZyXj.
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Woman next to me at the coffee shop has taken at least a dozen photos of her latte & croissant spread, testing different angles and uses of flash, before posting to Instagram. I'm amused. The latte art is B+ at best.
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@usedgov IMO, most fascinating line: ". whether sexual misconduct has occurred and, if so, whether a hostile environment has been created. " 4/.
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Please never start your response to my first question with, "Oh, so you're like a real, serious journalist." .Why, yes, I do come to interviews prepared with meaningful questions, not just softballs.
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In drafting a story, I definitely just wrote "TK quote from someone smart here" and yes, this is how the sausage is made.
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Sigh. So many high-priced independent college counselors offering to comment on the SAT subject tests -- or my favorite, emailing me quotes to copy and paste. That's not how I work.
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Kiddo asked another mom at school if she knew "Melissa Korn of the Wall Street Journal who wrote the book Unacceptable." . The mom replied that she knew "Melissa who is Abby's mom." . When asked if she often introduces me that way, my junior publicist replied, "Pretty much.".
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A personal thread: I'm at work today. I've found it's the best way for me to get through March 11. The distraction helps. But it's not easy. 1/5.
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Day, made.
This is Batman. He wasn’t happy about shower time, but then you called him the best smelling squeaky clean good boy in all the land. 13/10
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Kiddo this morning (after we said she can't watch a kid show): Can I watch the news? I love the news, because you write newspapers.
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So thrilled to earn a @NYPressClub award alongside @WSJ team @anfuller @lisabannon @jamesgbenedict @linds_huth for our student debt project!
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I successfully moved and had a @washingtonpost book review call “Unacceptable” compelling. Today’s what we call a good day. 🥳🥳🥳
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My mom played a huge role in who I am today; so did her sudden death, and the absence I've felt since. But this morning a smile danced across my face as I looked through faded picture albums. 3/4.
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Getting my second Moderna dose later today and my daughter already made me a get-well-soon card in anticipation of whatever comes after the shot. (And whatever does come after, I can’t wait!!) 🧪 🔬 💉.
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Hint: Do not forward me an email chain in which you tell a colleague to "be aggressive with" and "stay on" me to get press coverage.
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I’ve reached the stage of bookworm parenting when my kid and I can peacefully sit together and read our own books and I am loving it.
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Eager for the day when we see Evan Gershkovich's byline on the front page of @WSJ, not his photo. Our colleague belongs back in the newsroom, not in a prison cell. #IStandwithEvan #FreeEvan
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Eerie. Surreal. Quiet. Too quiet. Here’s what it’s like to still be living at college right now, when almost everyone else is gone.
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Time for a little horn-tooting.
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There's been so much loss this past year. I wish I could say it gets easier, that the grief fades. For me, it doesn't go away, but it has changed. I now spend days like today looking at old photos, rather than reliving the timeline of that blustery March day. 2/4.
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Cornell is suspending SAT/ACT requirement for 2022 first-year admissions. Baylor, Penn State have also extended their test-optional policies. Who's next? #cantputtoothpastebackinthetube
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--"it's a page-turner".--"reads like a novel".--"a masterpiece".--"can't put it down".Early praise from people who've been making their way through UNACCEPTABLE is making my heart burst!! w/ @jenniferlevitz.
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Phew! @jenniferlevitz and I submitted our manuscript yesterday. Still lots of work to do, but what a feeling of accomplishment. Proud of all we've done so far. I might even take a nap this weekend.
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Analysis of new @usdoegov data by @anfuller and @JMitchellWSJ finds parents of students at art schools, HBCUs and small private colleges are borrowing very hefty amounts to fulfill their kids’ college dreams. 1/2
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