If I am a child of a Harvard administrative staff member, then I have an advantage when getting into Harvard. So that would not be a merit advantage. That's just called luck.
Here's the big difference between the upper-class kids and everyone below when it comes to admission's fairness.
Everyone else says "I worked hard as an individual, therefore i deserve to get into a good college."
Upper-class kids says "MY FAMILY worked hard, therefore i (as an individual) deserve to get into a good college."
The emphasis is WHO worked hard. Upper-class kids tend to ride on the coat-tails of their parents and grand-parents.
Here's the big difference between the upper-class kids and everyone below when it comes to admission's fairness.
Everyone else says "I worked hard as an individual, therefore i deserve to get into a good college."
Upper-class kids says "MY FAMILY worked hard, therefore i (as an individual) deserve to get into a good college."
The emphasis is WHO worked hard. Upper-class kids tend to ride on the coat-tails of their parents and grand-parents.