I concur. From the moment I learned that elites re-interpret merit to their own liking, I was searching for a method to separate the “new” merit from the “old” merit. The best approach I can find is still that of Bain or BSG. By screening for SAT, major, GPA before interview, the system is just about foolproof. By easing up on each of the data points, the procedure can be modified to suit any job that requires a college degree. If all employers adopt such an approach, attending an elite may not be such an obsession any more.