How would this affect state residency for tuition/admissions purposes?

[deleted307836]

I just graduated and plan on taking a job in a state that is different from the state I have residency in and different from the state I went to college in.

If I leave this job in the new state before 12 months and move back to my home state, would this have any risk of changing my residency status for admissions and/or tuition? I don't really know where to find this info.

I've read about situations on SDN where people were effectively state-less for admissions purposes even if they were otherwise a resident of a certain state. That's something I'd like to avoid...

Thanks for any information or direction on where I could find this info!

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[rueby25]

Try the .gov websites of the states in question. Some states establish residency in as little as 6 months. It is state dependent, though.

 

[Mt Kilimanjaro]

It's largely based on tax returns, voter reg, and vehicle reg/drivers license. If you don't change any of that, the new job wouldn't affect you much.

 

[McNCheese]

This will depend on the medical school. Look at the residency requirements of your state schools. For admissions purposes, you will declare your state residency on your primary app. Things can change when it comes to tuition purposes though - for my school you have to fill out residency classification forms if you have been out of the state for the past few months.

 

[deleted307836]

Thanks for the responses.

This will depend on the medical school. Look at the residency requirements of your state schools. For admissions purposes, you will declare your state residency on your primary app. Things can change when it comes to tuition purposes though - for my school you have to fill out residency classification forms if you have been out of the state for the past few months.

This isn't info I'm finding on schools' websites so I guess it's something I would have to call about.

Has anyone applied as a resident of state "A" after living in state "B" to find out that they don't qualify as a resident of either one (according to schools' criteria, not the law)? I guess that's what I'm afraid of with this. I thought I've seen this scenario on SDN before but I'm not finding anything from searching.

 

[rueby25]

Thanks for the responses.



This isn't info I'm finding on schools' websites so I guess it's something I would have to call about.

Has anyone applied as a resident of state "A" after living in state "B" to find out that they don't qualify as a resident of either one (according to schools' criteria, not the law)? I guess that's what I'm afraid of with this. I thought I've seen this scenario on SDN before but I'm not finding anything from searching.

Not advising this, but a classmate of mine said he declared himself in-state for his "home" state school after having lived out of state for all of college plus one year. I don't think he applied as in-state elsewhere, but he technically was not living in the state according to med school or legal standards. He was accepted (the school only accepts in state applicants) without any problems.

My guess is if you have a tie to that state, it likely won't be an issue.

 

[mcloaf]

Not advising this, but a classmate of mine said he declared himself in-state for his "home" state school after having lived out of state for all of college plus one year. I don't think he applied as in-state elsewhere, but he technically was not living in the state according to med school or legal standards. He was accepted (the school only accepts in state applicants) without any problems.

My guess is if you have a tie to that state, it likely won't be an issue.

This definitely depends. My state school follows through pretty thoroughly before granting in-state status.

 

[deleted307836]

This definitely depends. My state school follows through pretty thoroughly before granting in-state status.

Yeah, I would expect most do. Plus it would be pretty obvious from a complete application if one wasn't actually living in that state for a certain amount of time.

 

[Mountaineer12]

It's largely based on tax returns, voter reg, and vehicle reg/drivers license. If you don't change any of that, the new job wouldn't affect you much.

Exactly. For most schools I imagine if you don't go through the pretty rigorous application process to be considered in state by the school then you will still be considered out of state.

I'm from PA, but was just declared a resident of WV after living/working here for a year. If I hadn't changed all of my documents or applied for a residency change I would still be considered a PA resident despite meeting the requirements of a resident.

 

[McNCheese]

Thanks for the responses.



This isn't info I'm finding on schools' websites so I guess it's something I would have to call about.

Has anyone applied as a resident of state "A" after living in state "B" to find out that they don't qualify as a resident of either one (according to schools' criteria, not the law)? I guess that's what I'm afraid of with this. I thought I've seen this scenario on SDN before but I'm not finding anything from searching.

You might need to call some schools, but sometimes you can find it on the website with some digging. It's usually in the section of the website regarding tuition and financial aid. In addition to tax returns, your residency largly depends on where your parents live.

 

[rain4venus]

I also wonder about how this works if you have lived in a state for less than a year (or however long it takes to gain residency in your new state) when you apply. Can you update your residency on AMCAS?

 

[Mountaineer12]

I also wonder about how this works if you have lived in a state for less than a year (or however long it takes to gain residency in your new state) when you apply. Can you update your residency on AMCAS?

If you live in the state for a year and change your license/tax forms/etc. before sending your primary to schools I think you could list the new state as your residence. I could be totally wrong though.

I know if you submit primaries as out of state, you'll need to try to get declared in state by each individual school.

 

[buccsmf1]

whatever you do, it is my opinion that you keep residency status in the state you went to college in. I went to college in florida, then moved to virginia for a year to establish residency and apply to medical school (its where my family lives). even though I was technically an "in state" applicant in virginia, I really wasnt seen that way. I talked to a few va medical schools and they all said, "well, we dont know much about your school in florida, so its tough to evaluate you." With decent stats (3.6, 30mcat), I only got 1 interview in virginia.

I ended up getting in to a school in florida and paying out of state tuition.

 

[deleted307836]

Anyone else have experience with this issue?

 

[ChemEngMD]

It is definitely possible to fall into a crack and no longer be considered in-state for tuition purposes anywhere. There is no right that one has to be considered a resident for tuition purposes so there are lots of people who move often and lose their residency.

I think as long as you continue to keep a driver's license, vehicle registration, car insurance, address, voter registration, (other residential paperwork) in your original state you should be okay. There are people who live in some states and work as contractors and then go do 6 to 12 month jobs in a different state. You'll have to pay taxes in the new state, but I think as long as your permanent residence stays in your previous state you're fine.

 

[deleted307836]

I think I will probably be falling into that crack - maintaining residency in my actual home state is probably hopeless now, though I may be able to become a resident of my new state. Depending on when I apply, I very well may be stateless.

Something people taking a gap year (or years) may want to consider...