Well Friedegg I think you are right. It really isn’t that fair, especially at private colleges. They have needs and wants that go beyond just being a smart, hard working student. But the good news is that your choice of major is a lot more important than where you go to school (for most majors.) I know lots of doctors and lawyers that went through regional state universities for undergrad, for example. (In fact, that probably helped their GPA which got them into grad school.)
I know that’s little consolation, especially given how much you worked for your goal. But at least you know that it probably won’t be a major factor in how your life turns out, (and it might even make your life better.)