Many H-1Bs start as student visas. (Musk's did and he violated his student visa by not taking classes.) They are supposed to get priority. I have doubts that they do.

I feel that if you are spending money on a US education, your application should automatically go to the top.

The only problem with this is it creates a system in which the richest kids get the most opportunities. Most student visa kids are not scholarship brats. Their family has money.