How to be an instate resident? (Brody ECU)

[Jubal Early]

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Hi all, does anyone have any insight on how to be an instate resident, from the viewpoint of the East Carolina University, Brody? Here is my situation: Born, raised and when to undergrad in Minnesota. Moved to North Carolina 3 years ago to get another degree. I have lived in the same spot in NC for 3 years, gone to school there, but haven't worked there. I emailed the admissions board and asked them, this is their reply:

"The general rule concerning residency is that an individual must reside in the state 12 months prior to matriculation (if accepted) in order to establish residency. Additionally, doing those things that would convince an admissions committee that the person intended to make North Carolina his/her permanent residence (such as securing employment, registering to vote, paying taxes, owning property, and getting a driver's license) are also necessary. "

So... I have not worked in NC, haven't voted there (but I could do that this year), don't own property, and don't pay taxes. But I do have a NC drivers license.

Anyone with experience with the Brody Admissions committee know how hard it is to "convince them" that I am a resident and will stay here after graduation? To complicate the matter, I did go back to MN last summer and this summer and worked, however this is the last summer I will do that.

Any suggestions?

 

[becool5]

If you lived in NC for 3 years, where did you live? Did you live with a friend or relative and not have your name on a lease? If you resided in a college dormitory the past 3 years you should be able to get a letter from the Housing Office stating that you resided in NC the past 3 years. How long have you had your NC driver's license? If you had for the past 3 years, I think that should be sufficient. However, even if you just got it between that and getting your name on a lease now I am sure you would be considered an in-state resident.

 

[Jubal Early]

Yea, I have a lease and paid rent for the last 3 years. I just got my drivers license though. I'm worried though that I shot my self in the foot by working the last two summers out of state. I'm thinking of just working one day a week this fall, just so I can pay some taxes and have a work history in NC. Don't really want to do that though.... I hate working during school.

 

[kidthor]

UNC gave me an equally dodgy answer to this question last year, so I decided to not apply as a NC resident. I'd be wary of risking it!

 

[UnderdogMD]

Also consider that when they say you have to live in the state for at least 12 months I think they mean for non-academic purposes. If you are out of state and came here for college, grad school, etc, you will not be considered a resident. Establishing residency in NC is pretty difficult and colleges are stringent in giving it out so good luck.

 

[Jainraisig]

Underdogg is right about the non-academic purposes thing. If you are in NC for grad school, you wont be considered a resident. Moreover, having a drivers license or voting isnt a big deal and wont do much for you. Ive had my NC license for 10 years and voted in NC and I was declared out of state.

I had residency issues last year and believe me, it isnt easy to convince the schools. There is a lot of documentation required, notarized statements, blah blah blah. Considering the claims that I had on NC residency (born and raised there) and the situation you have outlined, I hate to say it but I dont think you have much of a chance.

I would suggest that you establish residency somewhere though. Being stateless really screwed me. If you claim a state on AMCAS you cant change it later, e.g. if you put NC, got declared a non-resident and then tried to claim MN residency it wouldnt fly. If you want to be an NC resident, I suggest you wait a year to apply, graduate from whatever program you are in and get a job for a year while you are not in school.

 

[Jubal Early]

Dang, that is not what I wanted to hear... But thank you guys so much for giving your insight. I think, however, I am completely screwed. I talked to some people at U of Minnesota and they basically say I have no chance of being considered an instate resident. And now, after what Jainraisig said, looks like I don't have much chance at NC either. I don't understand why the Admissions Committee has to be so damn coy with the requirments for residency. They should post a definite list of requirements, or a decision flow chart, or some damn thing, rather than just "convince us".

Jainraisig:
Can I ask what your situation was? What school did you apply to?

 

[Jainraisig]

Sorry, but it is very possible to be stateless. I can attest to that.

If you want to learn more about NC residency and its requirements read the residency manual.

The link is from Appalachian state but this is the same manual that all the state schools use.
http://www.registrar.appstate.edu/residency/manual/index.html

Brief(er) version
http://www2.acs.ncsu.edu/grad/students/current/resident.htm

I applied to ECU, UNC and Wake. ECU and UNC had similar residency forms on the secondary. After I submitted secondaries, both schools sent me more forms because they questioned my status. After I filled out those forms (4 page dealies asking for number of times and locations where you did things like- get a drivers license, vote, work, register a car, own property, pay rent, pay utilities, ...and proof of such- pay stubs, copies of registrations, licenses and bills from the past 5 years), they both took their sweet time deliberating. They let me know that I was declared a non-resident via letter, ironically sending the letters to my NC address though I was not in the state at the time which made me miss the appeals deadline. They both offered 2 weeks in which to respond in writing if I wanted to appeal their decisions. Long story short- appealed UNC but not ECU, appeals process at UNC took about 5 months, found out in February that I was denied residency, blah blah blah. However, I interviewed at UNC before a decision was made about my status, but I still have not heard back from them about my app- a full year later.

Oh, and Wake uses UNC and ECUs decision too which means you cannot get a scholarship at Wake if you are not declared a resident by UNC and ECU. Awesome, right?

PM me if you have more specific questions.