I think you're making a valid argument that misses the larger point. I agree that the practice of university donations in exchange for college admission is nei

I think you're making a valid argument that misses the larger point. I agree that the practice of university donations in exchange for college admission is neither legally corrupt nor dishonest. However, it is still wrong according to our societal values. That is, we have a value system that we implicitly adhere to and meritocracy is big part of our value system. At least in the states, we believe that if you work just as hard and contribute just as much as your neighbor, you deserve to enjoy the same quality of life. When parents purchase access to an elite university for their child, they are conferring an advantage to their child over the child's peers that is unearned and unfair. Elite college admissions is a zero sum game. There are only a certain number of spots available and purchasing a spot for a kid who slacked off in school necessarily takes the same opportunity away from a more deserving kid.