Most of the panic for college admission roots from the illusion that there are so many factors against students being accepted. Because in times of economic duress, when colleges stress more about their finances, they increasingly accept more out-of-state students over in-state students.
At certain schools like University of Maryland, College Park (UMCP), not only are admissions showing preference for out-of-state students, they are also admitting many in-state students for spring semester. This means they can gain more money by giving priority to students who will pay more for tuition while letting in students that will pay in-state tuition at a later time. The plan would most definitely work to receive more money by allowing both in-state and out-of-state students to attend, but nevertheless shows preference for the ones who will provide more funds.
Although UMCP might relish the idea of getting an extra $15,937 from an out-of-state student, it is not fair to deny the in-state students acceptance when their parents have been paying taxes.
State tax dollars are allocated to state colleges; therefore, the out-of-state students should not get the advantage just because they will be paying a higher tuition to the school.
Through taxes each year, parents have already made mass contributions to the colleges within their state. The colleges in return should allow priority in admission to the children of the taxpayers. After all, taxpayers are already financially supporting the institutions. In fact, the in-state student should be granted priority for admission into a college as long as he has already proven that he is of that school’s caliber.
When the decision comes down to two students of about the same merit, the one who resides in-state should be chosen over the one from out-of-state.