Just wanted to clarify about LEPs (limited enrollment programs)… The determination of a Spring admit (so Freshman Connection) v a Fall admit is entirely the decision of the university itself, irrespective of LEP request.
The admission to the LEP is done by the department themselves, only AFTER the university decides which applicants to admit to the university itself, and only those admitted are sent for a second evaluation by different programs. Each LEP uses their own set of criteria for admission which is entirely independent of the university review. So, no worries about applying to LEPs if you are OOS.
To the best of my knowledge, the observation of LEPs only taking “so many OOS students” may just be an anecdotal/coincidental circumstance of those choosing to enroll in Freshman Connection (it is an optional, first-come, first-serve program)…Yes, the university itself has a limit on OOS students (note that they do accept more OOS than most public, state universities), but not the LEPs themselves.
However, it is absolutely true that LEPs are limited due to space. LEPs are more competitive because of this, so even students that are admitted to honors college may not be admitted to the LEP requested.