@mohammadmohd18, Not only do they take geographic location into account, different regions have different [admissions counselors.](Connect with Us | Undergraduate Admissions | Binghamton University) Separating apps by region doesn’t preclude consideration based on merit. It does allow adcoms to consider apps in context. The applications of students who come from poorer districts will be looked differently than those who come from more well to do districts. I don’t believe OOS students are competing with state residents for spots at our schools; I think they’re competing against other OOS students.