When everyone in the intake is a scholar, the one who falls behind the rest, will get less priority for opportunities.

Demand and supply applies here. When many people are fighting for the limited quotas, any sort of mistake is a good reason for decision makers to exclude them from the competition.

Don't give others a good reason to eliminate you from the race.

Not fear mongering. Just common sense.

Think of how teachers choose the head prefects or student council chairperson.

The process is not so different after all