“Essentially, they want Kentucky to be a meritocracy - if you achieve the level necessary for UK, you get to go there.”
@MYOS1634 I think you are imagining that we are talking about UM (Michigan), UVA or UNC. We are talking about the University of Kentucky with an average ACT of about 25 and a 75th percentile of only 28. Both are lower than just about every other flagship in the South or Midwest (however you want to classify KY).
They want to raise these stats supposedly, and they need to raise them. Higher performing students from the state need a in-state option that is a “fit” for them. To be in classes that move at their pace and not at the pace of someone with a 25 ACT, the score my S received in the 7th grade for Duke TIP before completing a high school math class.
As pitiful as these stats are, the other public in-state publics are worse. This should not be the average for a state flagship. UK is the best in-state option high achieving KY students have, and now it will be going the wrong direction. The new direction in financial aid is certainly not going to drive these stats higher. It will have the opposite impact.