I bet we can all think of some not-so-intelligent people who have been admitted to Ivy League schools over more qualified candidates for any number of reasons including athletics, presidential parents, “development” prospects, URM, family working at the school, etc. I also bet most of us know of some less-talented kids admitted to top-tier MT programs based on theatre royalty connections, an aberrant audition, bombshell appearance, URM (which in theatre might even include tall hunky males), an “in” with the auditors, etc. Life isn’t fair, and theatre seems even less fair.
The number of reasons a candidate might be admitted to an ill-fitting program are numerous, but I don’t think many of us would wish that on our kids. I bet most of us want our kids to land where they can flourish, and recognize that a school that really “fits” is better than a fluke admission to an extreme reach program. As has been said above, schools where MTs are required to complete academic courses generally have the academic standards they do for good reasons.