The upper middle-class ($100k-250k) is caught in a vise grip between the super-wealthy and the poor and lower middle-class.
About 50% of the enrolled are from the top 1-3% by income, but these groups contribute less than 20% of National Merit Semifinalists.
Now there will be preferences for those earning less than $60k. These folks contribute less than 10% of National Merit Semifinalists.
Subtract the spaces reserved for other hooked groups, and the unhooked middle class students - who contribute 70% or more of our brightest, highest-achieving, most-deserving students - will be left to fight over a tiny percentage of remaining spaces at our top schools.