I am going to suggest that there are two sides to this. Remember that at elite Universities, in the past, entrance meant that you are already exceptional and headed for great things. But top of the class at one of these institutions shows more that you are a grad-grind doing what you are told than headed off to change the world. Just remember the very clever “it’s a tax” man was a Harvard Summa cum Laude. Merrick Garland was also a high ranking graduate of the same.
Ivys are recruiting and training centers for Deep State.
Deep State is threatened by people who can and do take their brains out of neutral.
Nuff said.