I hate Lukas Grey :l

So,when I was rereading I saw that Elloren was 17 when she entered and that Yvan was 19 and on his second year meaning he was 18 when he first came.So why did Elloren enter a year early? I at first guessed that she was really smart and that would be why she came in so early but then I saw how she at on point in the story said she was "barely passing unlike before".This means she was having a hard time.So,why would she be there a year early if she was unprepared ?At first I connected it due to family relations to those at the university but quickly decided it to be untrue because tough gardnerians did have a powerful hold of the school at the time of Elloren entering the school had a ratio of 7 to 6.Six being Gardnerians and seven being non-gardnerian. So,having somebody get in out of one sides favor while not having the majorities consent would be impossible.I have thought this over for a while and do not have a solid conclusion yet but,would like to know if anybody else has an idea of why.