“There are ways in which one’s application, while missing prerequisite courses, can make a lasting impression, so as to win the spot over somebody who does have all of the prereqs completed.” @goldencub
I am not arguing against the above. As competitive as college admissions have grown to be, it is still not simply a numbers game. My point was not to challenge the idea that the UCs are considerate of applicants who do not have access to the courses that they would need to meet major or degree requirements, rather to challenge the idea that because they are understanding of the idea that all applicants do not have the same opportunities means that the probability of acceptance does not still lean in favor of those who have access to all that they need to meet every requirements.
It is a tricky matter because there are those who take that policy and interpret it as, “If a course is not offered at your college, then it negates the fact that you have not completed all prereqs in the eyes of the officer.” Simply because the UCs hold that position does not mean that those who are able to complete every requirement with solid grades will not statistically have an advantage. It also does not mean that applicants cannot rise above in every single other category of the application and be accepted as many have. This is not a question of whether an applicant who does not have access to specific courses still has a solid chance of admissions. My skepticism is only with those who claim that it is universally disregarded. “It does not matter” (i.e. even if you are hanging on the edge and you are the type of applicant who the admissions team would be debating over, they would never choose another applicant over you because they have met all the requirements and you hadn’t regardless). The idea that because the universities strive towards maintaining a perfectly fair admissions process it is always perfectly fair.
Ultimately, it is not about being skeptical of the ethics or fairness of admissions officers because powering though thousands of applications over the span of a few weeks is a hell of a job. But I also think that it is fair for applicants to feel as though if they had met every requirement or had access to the opportunities that their competitors did they would have better chances, even slightly, despite the ideal of fairness that the university tries to maintain.