Yes,it is. I wish university admission was more based on how much the person wants it as well. There are people who have been accepted into good schools that only go because of their parents and end up failing out. I know a few friends that did this. I have one friend who wants to really study physical therapy but is having a hard time getting into a school because of the schools he's been to and his test scores. He is more motivated than most though which doesn't come across in test scores and past schools. He's just not a good test taker.
At the same time though it's good that some university have difficult standards because not everyone is cut out to be going to these schools anyway. There has to be some standard offer acceptance so that the school maintains the image they want.