<p>Colleges, even Ivies, don’t exist to be fair to all the kids who worked hard in high school. They exist to fulfill their self-interest by perpetuating strength as a university and the excellence of the college experience they can provide. Having strong athletic programs at these schools keeps their alumni donating money and maintains an interesting, diverse student population. College admissions is not like at court with a judge deciding who is more in the right or deserving; it is more like a contract when two different parties hope to mutually benefit from each other. </p>
<p>Unfortunately, that means that some really hard-working, smart kids simply won’t get in because what they have to offer just isn’t as valuable as some of their less academic but more athletic peers. You may think it’s unfair that you can’t help whether or not you’re truly athletically gifted, but the vast majority of kids aren’t smart enough to even have any chance at Harvard whatsoever simply because of genetics. So please, think twice before you start crying injustice at people who are differently talented than you getting opportunities that you’re not.</p>