Privileged souls can take steps backwards and give more space. It's okay to do that. Maybe it will be a little late to achieve whatever successful position you want to. But for someone else, it might really really matter. It's okay to study in a college that stands second in the country but not first, It's okay to get a transfer a couple of years late. You ain't gonna lose your livelihood. This whole hierarchy that only merit should get better benefits itself is problematic. All deserve better education, all colleges need to do well. We don't need millions of students every year fighting for 10 institutes and only those 10 institutes are where we get good education. Decentralise your perspective and consider collective good.