system
Given the following post, respond as if you're commenting on Reddit:
human
[Skyrim]How can a non mage non Thuum using Dragonborb become the archmage of winterhold?

One exploit people found with The Mages quest is there is very few magic requirements. Provided you have a staff of magic you can breeze through the initiation and worry little about magic.
gpt
The Archmage is more of an administrative and political position. You don't NEED to be very intelligent, or magically inclined to do it. It's a popularity contest, nothing more. Sure, history isn't going to remember a largely ignorable, magic-less Archmage, but that doesn't mean they don't exist.

Under NORMAL circumstances, the time it takes to acquire the sort of popularity and respect it takes to become Archmage requires a great deal of effort, and rising gradually through the more... Skill-related ranks. Attending classes, impressing instructors, innovating, writing books etc. The circumstances surrounding the Eye of Magnus, however, are anything BUT normal.