Socioeconomic class and elite university selection

Inside Higher Education covered an issue that has been a perennial problem for U.S. higher education - bright students who should have bright futures often choose less expensive universities where they may have less opportunity both during their university years and afterward.  The U.S. has notable exceptions to the criticism that socioeconomic elitism is perpetuated by "elites" attending elite private (and a few public) universities.  However, Alexandria Radford found in her research on valedictorians, that those from lower SES don't know what the elite institutions do nor do they see themselves as eligible to attend.

This is an exceptionally important issue for student affairs educators who are in international settings.  Many developing higher education systems are very eager to have elite brandnames and these institutions may have a DNA about them that is elitist and, therefore, discouraging to many students who could be capable but just don't see themselves in such settings.

The question is - What can student affairs educators do to buffer this elitism so that the emerging global higher education community does not have the same impact of perpetuating privilege that, at least by this research, has stunted the opportunity of U.S. students over the years?