Emory test scammer to appear on ‘60 Minutes'

By Fran Jeffries

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

The 19-year-old Emory University student who had a lucrative side gig taking college entrance exams for students for a fee, will appear on "60 Minutes" on Sunday.

It will be Sam Eshaghoff's first interview since his arrest in September on charges of fraud and criminal impersonation.  Authorities said he was paid between $1,500 and $2,500 to stand in and take ACTs and SATs for students attending a prestigious Long Island high school.

Eshagoff, of Great Neck, N.Y., posed as other students and used fake IDs to enter test centers to take the exams, authorities say.

He told "60 Minutes" that he believed he saved peoples' lives by scoring high marks for them on the tests.

"A kid who has a horrible grade-point average, who, no matter how much he studies is going to totally bomb this test," says Eshaghoff, "By giving him an amazing score, I totally give him ... a new lease on life. He's going to go to a totally new college ... be bound for a totally new career ... new path in life," he said.

The Emory sophomore told "60 Minutes" that if he could start over, he "never would have done it."

Eshaghoff won't serve jail time. But his punishment may fit the crime. Under a plea deal, he will tutor low-income students on how to ace college entrance exams.

"60 Minutes" airs at 7 p.m. Sunday on CBS.