<p>I can honestly understand logos concerns, but I think the perception of what is fair and what is not is a little narrow. </p>
<p>In Texas, we have the top ten percent law. The most desirable state university is UT-Austin and this year over 75% of the UT-Austin freshman class was filled with top ten percenters. The problem is that many, many highly competitive suburban schools have kids with unwtd gpas of 3.8 and higher who are NOT top ten percent; they fall in the second decile instead. These kids compete with OOS applicants for the remaining 25% of the spots. This year, that was 20,000 non-top ten percent and OOS applicants competing for 2200 spots. I personally know National Merit Commended in-state students who could NOT get in the Fall 2006 semester, while OOS candidates from nonranking schools were accepted at UT-Austin for that same semester. On the face of it, this seems unfair. But if UT were not to make room for these OOS students and if it were to become a school only for Texans, it would marginalize the quality of the school. UT accommodates this need for the outside pov by adjusting the admissions process for oos students; UNC does so by making it less cost prohibitive for oos students to attend. Full rides for a handful of students doesn't seem a large price to pay for something that enhances the learning experience of all.</p>
<p>My d has been accepted to both UT-Austin and UNC-Chapel Hill, and she is very fortunate in that she has been invited into Honors Programs at both universities. [She has only been offered merit scholarships at UT-Austin.] This whole debate has made me very concerned for her and left me wondering how welcome she would be at UNC.</p>