In recent years, the facade of fairness and meritocracy in elite education has been shattered by a series of scandals, exposing a deeply entrenched backdoor admission scheme perpetuating privilege over merit. While prestigious universities are expected to be the epitome of intellectual excellence and equal opportunity, the reality is far from it. 

This article delves into the intricate workings of the backdoor admission scheme, shedding light on how privilege consistently trumps merit in elite education.

What is Elite Education?

Before digging deeper into the article, it should be clear what elite education is. It refers to the educational experience of prestigious institutions renowned for their academic excellence, resources, and reputation. These institutions often have a history of producing leaders in various fields and are highly selective in their admissions process. 

Elite education institutions typically offer rigorous academic programs, access to distinguished faculty, and state-of-the-art facilities. Pursuing an elite education is often associated with the expectation of professional success, providing access to influential networks and opportunities. However, it has also been criticized for fueling social inequality and favoring privilege over merit.

The Backdoor Admission Scheme

The backdoor admission scheme operates through various channels, exploiting loopholes and leveraging privilege to secure coveted spots for students who may not meet the stringent academic standards demanded by prestigious universities. 

One such channel is legacy preference, which grants preferential treatment to applicants with familial connections to the institution. Despite the argument that legacy preference fosters a sense of tradition and alums’ loyalty, it disproportionately benefits students from affluent backgrounds, likely to have legacy ties.

Another avenue through which privilege prevails over merit is the practice of development or donor admission. Wealthy people donate substantially to universities, buying their children’s access by creating endowed professorships and scholarships or funding new facilities. This practice allows the affluent to bypass the traditional admissions process and secure entry for their children based on financial contributions rather than academic prowess.

The College Admissions Scandal 2019 provided a glaring example of privilege trumping merit. The scandal revealed a network of wealthy parents, including celebrities and business magnates, who resorted to bribing university officials, coaches, and standardized test administrators to secure admission for their children. This shocking revelation exposed how privilege could be exploited to manipulate the admissions process, disregarding the principles of fairness and equal opportunity.

Meritocracy vs. Privilege

Elite education institutions have long championed the idea of meritocracy, where the most deserving students are granted admission based on their academic achievements and potential. However, the prevalence of the backdoor admission scheme highlights a stark contrast between the rhetoric of meritocracy and the reality of privilege. 

While meritocracy implies equal opportunity, allowing people from all walks of life to compete on a level playing field, the backdoor admission scheme erects barriers only the privileged can breach, maintaining a cycle of inherited advantage and inhibiting social mobility.

Consequences of Privilege Trumping Merit

When privilege trumps merit in elite education, several detrimental consequences arise. Firstly, deserving students from underprivileged backgrounds are denied opportunities to attend prestigious universities, regardless of their talents and achievements. The perpetuating socioeconomic inequality as access to top-tier education becomes increasingly restricted to those who afford to pay their way in or benefit from familial connections.

Secondly, the prevalence of the backdoor admission scheme erodes public trust in the integrity of the admissions process. The belief that hard work and academic excellence are the sole determinants of admission is shattered, breeding cynicism and disillusionment among aspiring students. This erosion of trust would undermine the credibility and reputation of elite education institutions, impacting their ability to fulfill their educational mission effectively.

The backdoor admission scheme exposes a deeply rooted problem within elite education institutions, where privilege consistently outweighs merit. Legacy preferences, development admissions, and outright bribery undermine the principles of fairness and equal opportunity these institutions claim to uphold. 

To address this issue, universities must reevaluate their admissions policies, eliminate practices that favor privilege, and work towards creating a more equitable educational system. In order for elite education to truly nurture intellectual excellence and promote social mobility, it is essential to dismantle the barriers that uphold privilege. By doing that, we can create a platform where all individuals have equal opportunities to thrive academically and advance socially.

About Author: Sahaj Sharda

Sahaj Sharda is a 25-year-old law student at Columbia Law School who is making waves as an emerging leader in antitrust law. Born to immigrant parents from India, Sahaj is grateful for the opportunities afforded to him and aims to uplift others. His educational journey has seen him attend renowned institutions like Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology, Georgetown University, and now Columbia Law School. As an author passionate about challenging unfair concentrations of power, Sahaj published his first book, “The Extinction of the Price Tag,” which aims to empower small businesses in their competition against industry giants. His second book, “The College Cartel,” reveals the intricate details behind how elite colleges monopolize higher education. Alongside his legal studies, Sahaj actively documents neo-progressive ideas to battle the war against monopoly and control through an online newsletter, The Muckrake.