[ncruces]

Above a certain threshold, and if you can't raise admissions, a random selection process is perfectly fair.

It's certainly fairer, IMO, than having a perfectly objective ranking system that mirrors biases in society, and then using affirmative action to counteract those biases.

[Retric]

Fair isn’t necessarily the most important metric for schools. If your parent is a billionaire it’s perfectly rational for them to prefer you over somewhat more qualified applicants.

[red-iron-pine]

based on what, their willingness and ability to donate?

"the university could use a new international airport..."

[Retric]

Donations are appreciated, but so are connections.

Mixing the extremes of intellect, social connections, and wealth offers benefits to each group. It’s an old formula and arguably a larger factor of what makes an elite school than its faculty.