I've always thought that the French model for top-tier engineering schools was cruel but it might have some merits.
You essentially study for two years post high-school to take a competitive exam, your ranking in this exam determines where you can go (first place chooses, then the second place gets to pick etc.) You suffer for two years but at the end it's based mostly on merit.
Obviously it's not entirely based on merit as privileged kids have a huge head start but you at least get a chance to catch up during those two years.
You essentially study for two years post high-school to take a competitive exam, your ranking in this exam determines where you can go (first place chooses, then the second place gets to pick etc.) You suffer for two years but at the end it's based mostly on merit.
Obviously it's not entirely based on merit as privileged kids have a huge head start but you at least get a chance to catch up during those two years.