I'd argue that going to a so-called "elite" institution is more akin to learning a language by immersion.
What most of these articles fail to mention is that there are three aspects to the traditional socioeconomic diversity narrative: low income, race/ethnicity, and familial educational achievement. As an Asian American whose parents both had PhDs, I've been in the unique position of having only one of the three factors affecting me.
So you must possess the talent of Tom Ripley?
I recall one of my first Bosses who went to the same public school as one of Pres Obamas roommates at Harvard said the school sports are Rugger, Rowing and Drinking Beer