Changing residency for application cycle

[lalalaaaaaa]

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My pre-med adviser recommended that I switch residency from Colorado to California because there are more Medical Schools there and it will be to my advantage to apply as an in-state-CA resident. Any thoughts on this?

Note: I currently live and work in CA, and will stay there through the 2013-14 application cycle, but grew up in and went to college in Colorado. I also don't really care where I go to Medical School, I just want to get in.

 

[BecksTriad]

i'd do it

 

[dsk89]

Um, well it depends on your stats. If you have slightly weaker stats, stay in Colorado residency. Because even though they have only 1 school, you'll very likely get an interview at the very least. But only switch to California residency if you have strong GPA/MCAT and EC's, cause in CA it's a whole different game. There may be a bunch of public medical schools here that supposedly "favor" in state applicants (a couple of them don't even do that, or so they claim), there are thousands of CA applicants and the whole instate advantage gets a little muddled. IF you switch to California with mediocre stats, there is a high chance you will not get a single interview at any of the UC's.

 

[sliceofbread136]

I think the cycle is notoriously hard on CA residents. I wouldn't do it.

 

[BABSstudent]

I wouldn't put CA as my state residence unless I had amazing stats. I would go the safer route and be a resident from Colorado.

 

[gyngyn]

California residents start with the least chance of in-state matriculation of any in the US. There are about 5000 IS applicants for about 1000 1st year allopathic positions. Only about 800 of these 5000 get a position IS. 1600 have to leave CA to go to Med school. Losing your Colorado residency for CA is not strategically wise.

 

[mcloaf]

Further evidence that premed advisers should be ignored 9 times out of 10.

 

[angemon89]

California residents start with the least chance of in-state matriculation of any in the US. There are about 5000 IS applicants for about 1000 1st year allopathic positions. Only about 800 of these 5000 get a position IS. 1600 have to leave CA to go to Med school. Losing your Colorado residency for CA is not strategically wise.

No wonder everyone gives me the evil eye when I ask to see their notes.

CA premeds don't play well with others.

 

[Eon]

California residents start with the least chance of in-state matriculation of any in the US. There are about 5000 IS applicants for about 1000 1st year allopathic positions. Only about 800 of these 5000 get a position IS. 1600 have to leave CA to go to Med school. Losing your Colorado residency for CA is not strategically wise.

Can you cite this data? Or is this just from "what you've heard?"

 

[kami333]

Can you cite this data? Or is this just from "what you've heard?"

Applicants and Matriculants Data

Check table 5

 

[HuskerMed1816]

Check the CO laws! I moved from Nebraska after graduating college and found I am always considered a NE resident for tuition purposes. Now I hold residency in two states applying to med school and have been able to travel to the coast. Win win

 

[kami333]

Check the CO laws! I moved from Nebraska after graduating college and found I am always considered a NE resident for tuition purposes. Now I hold residency in two states applying to med school and have been able to travel to the coast. Win win

But are you considered a resident for application purposes?

 

[HuskerMed1816]

But are you considered a resident for application purposes?

Yes, I don't file AMCAS as a NE resident, but when they receive it, I am pooled in with IS students for interviews, spots, etc.

 

[kami333]

Yes, I don't file AMCAS as a NE resident, but when they receive it, I am pooled in with IS students for interviews, spots, etc.

Nice!

I had to wait a year to establish residency in my current state and thought about using "long term ties" to my old state to apply there but in the end the numbers (number of seats, interview costs, etc) just didn't work out so I didn't.

 

[HuskerMed1816]

Nice!

I had to wait a year to establish residency in my current state and thought about using "long term ties" to my old state to apply there but in the end the numbers (number of seats, interview costs, etc) just didn't work out so I didn't.

And I only moved to my new state in April. For many schools, as long as you have been in the state 12 months prior to the start date for classes you can apply as IS. State residency is tricky though and varies by state and school which is what becomes a headache. (Quick side note: I work FT and have changed my drivers license etc, so I had to petition one school for residency prior to my app). Good luck though!

 

[lalalaaaaaa]

Thanks for the advice everyone, I guess I will need to look at some options a little more before making a decision.