What makes it a bit worse is that we are social animals, and expectations matter. High expectations or low expectations, people often rise to the level expecte

What makes it a bit worse is that we are social animals, and expectations matter. High expectations or low expectations, people often rise to the level expected of them. Not to mention, whether you got in on the regular track or the alternate track affects people's attitudes about your abilities. People need information about others, and the circumstances of how they joined the organization (whether they are in the group that got assistance or not) is a source of information. Sure, some people have been trained to ignore that for the sake of fairness, but not 100% of everyone.