The fact that the “kids” have not been expelled tells me that they are doing just fine in the schools where they were admitted ... which means they probably should have been admitted in the first place without any bribes.
You assume that a huge monetary bribe doesn’t do more that get these ‘kids’ in? Do you really think a celebrity-who is good for tons more ‘donations’-won’t ensure passing grades? Suddenly it’s about merit? Yeah- Yale is gonna FAIL a famous, deep pockets donors kid!!
Top universities receive far, far more applications than they have openings for students. The goal for schools like MIT, Caltech, or Stanford would be to maximize the number of Nobel Prize winners or other accomplished people among their alumni. Only by continuing to admit the best can they hope to maintain their reputations as top schools.
In 1983, Stanford had 7 applicants for each spot in their Graduate School of Engineering. They had to say no to six well-qualified students for each one admitted. Many of those denied admittance would probably have succeeded in accomplishing the course work.