Yes, this is important to realize. I work in a fairly reputable design studio, and we take in interns every year. This year, all of our applicants were Asian students from overseas (mostly PRC) attending art/design schools in the US. In many cases, they do seem to come from wealthy backgrounds (eg went to private high schools abroad, etc). That was definitely not the case 5 years ago.

The only ones who can attend art school anymore are kids coming from very wealthy backgrounds.