As a result of discovering Fierceton lied on her application, the University of Pennsylvania has withheld Fierceton's master's degree pending further investigation, as she has withdrawn from the Rhodes program.

In Dec., Fierceton filed a lawsuit against the University of Pennsylvania and Rhodes Trust investigators. According to Bigtrial, Fierceton claims that Penn officials are targeting her for retaliation after becoming a key witness in a wrongful-death lawsuit filed against the university.

As part of the alleged conspiracy, the lawsuit claims that Penn officials conducted a "sham" investigation that forced the student to voluntarily give up her Rhodes scholarship after Penn officials threatened to rescind her undergraduate degree and withhold her master's degree. On top of that, the lawsuit claims that Penn officials threatened to send the student to jail for allegedly fraudulently representing herself in her application to become a Rhodes scholar. However, the University of Pennsylvania told the DailyMail it would not retaliate against her.

"Penn and the Rhodes Trust received credible information that called into question statements Ms. Fierceton made in her applications for admission, financial assistance, and scholarships," a representative for the University of Pennsylvania said.

“The Rhodes Trust conducted its own investigation, during which it considered evidence and arguments provided by Ms. Fierceton and her attorney. … The Trust then gave Ms. Fierceton the opportunity to withdraw her candidacy if she chose to do so. Ms. Fierceton accepted that offer and withdrew her candidacy," the rep added.

Mackenzie Fierceton

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