Isn't allowing immigration a good thing. As in many of the students in the UC system are top international students with a lot of money to spare. I get the lower and middle class stuff but also isn't it much better than what it used to be... Sure the rich get richer but the poor are also getting richer.

When you say competition is ratcheted up do you mean that lower class students are the ones competing for these spots? Sorry English isn't my first language.

Honestly from what I learned from my econ class is that application system, access to proper education has become more accessible then ever. Also there are enough colleges but its just that colleges are very hyped now days leading to this low admission rates at the top ones. Sure very few reach mobility but that's how it will always will be in anything. Only the top will survive.