<p>The college admissions process will never, ever, be fair because so much of what a person can accomplish is dependent on factors outside his/her control and therefore not correlated with personal merit or effort. First of all, genetics determines the raw intellectual ability and other talents one has to work with. Person X could work every bit as hard or harder than Person Y, but Y simply has more innate abilty and thus will achieve better results. Not fair. Person A could be extremely hard-working and motivated, but without the parental guidance, support, and economic resources enjoyed by Person B, s/he won’t enjoy the same level of success. Also not fair. So all you can do is make the most of what you’ve been given and accept what comes.</p>