Many other universities are clear that there are classes of applicants who get special consideration based on non-academic factors, such as: geographically desirable (including out-of-state tuition payers), demographically desirable, athletes, extracurricular stars, children of alumni (=donors), children of faculty and staff (=laborers), and children of donors.

Moreover, universities want students with a wide variety of academic (and other) interests.

Is the issue that Berkeley has to comply with state laws and regulations that mandate that admissions be based solely on academics rather than other considerations? Or is it that they put on a facade of solely considering academics without acknowledging the (many) non-academic considerations that may override admissions decisions?