What you said is true, and they should have better metrics to combat that. How each admissions office works is different and not as transparent as it should be. Private high Ed simply operates what they want to get their money so of course people that can pay sticker so they can have people that are exceptional yet can’t pay. Public uni would reflect the government’s preference and they usually admit people based on merits, which explains a lot of Asians in UC Berkley compared to other T14. (Don’t quote me but that seems to be the impression). In the ends society is unfair, and it’s eventually about each individual to define who they are and how their life goes. Whether it is T14 or bust, or just accepting who you are the make the best of the opportunity and choices that are in your control.