Mizzou (OOS) vs. LSU (OOS)

[stinkyfreddy]

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Hi!! thank you for reading!

I have been accepted to LSU (OOS) and interviewed w MIzzou (OOS). Im still waiting on their decision but I felt like the interview went SO well, im hopeful I get a chance!!

Im open for advice on how to go about the biggest decision of my life. I know cost is the biggest concern here, and I know MIzzou offers residency after year 1, but I am not completely clear of the requirements for that to be granted.

Here are some things Im considering:

1. as a hispanic person, i believe LSU gives me more opportunity to connect with peers that are hispanic as well. at least I know LSU has somewhat more than 5 ppl who are hispanic accepted to their classes each year.
2. my aunt lives in st. louis, Missouri so that gives me a support system outside of my home state, but don't know of many hispanic ppl in their classes...
3. mizzou is cold af im used to warm tropical weather.. but hey adaptation!!!
4. flights to lsu are cheaper than to mizzou for me... at least from where im moving.

obviously residency in Mizzou would be the best case scenario for me in terms of debt relief, but at the same time, is this really all i should be considering for this decision?? i need advice from ppl who have already been there, been through this hurdle of life and could offer me insight on their experiences!!

thank you

 

[Tech_Penguin]

3. If it helps, I know of a vet from your country who went to Cornell and was okay with the weather

 

[beans2020]

It is super easy to gain residency at Mizzou and it reallllly helps with cost (as an OOS Mizzou student)! 99% of people get it - the only ones who don't either don't try or mess up a requirement really badly.
The requirements are:
1. get a Missouri driver's license
2. register to vote in Missouri
3. provide proof of residence (like lease, homeowner paperwork, etc)
4. if your car is in your name and ONLY your name, get Missouri plates
5. Make $3,000 of taxable Missouri income during your first year (from August 2026 to August 2027 in your case)
6. You are only allowed to leave the state for 14 days during your FIRST SUMMER BREAK. You can leave any other time - it's just the summer of 2027 you will be restricted.

Hope that helps!

 

[beans2020]

For cost alone I would recommend Mizzou. Mizzou is also great for a myriad of other reasons (2+2 program, fantastic community) but cost should really be your deciding factor.

 

[stinkyfreddy]

It is super easy to gain residency at Mizzou and it reallllly helps with cost (as an OOS Mizzou student)! 99% of people get it - the only ones who don't either don't try or mess up a requirement really badly.
The requirements are:
1. get a Missouri driver's license
2. register to vote in Missouri
3. provide proof of residence (like lease, homeowner paperwork, etc)
4. if your car is in your name and ONLY your name, get Missouri plates
5. Make $3,000 of taxable Missouri income during your first year (from August 2026 to August 2027 in your case)
6. You are only allowed to leave the state for 14 days during your FIRST SUMMER BREAK. You can leave any other time - it's just the summer of 2027 you will be restricted.

Hope that helps!

thank you for this!! ccan you provide an example of what ppl did to comply with points 4 & 5? for example, i honestly did not plan on having a car bc of the expenses (parking permit monthly bill, gas, repairs if needed, etc). i planned on maybe buying an electric scooter or something or a bike that helps me get places. (obviously i have no idea how id do in the actual winter times etc, but im trying to cut costs wherever i can. and point 5, do you know how any students were able to make that income?

Edit: from your avatar i can see you like Stranger Things. I feel like that last season did not do it for me. I wish it did not end 🙁

 

[stinkyfreddy]

3. If it helps, I know of a vet from your country who went to Cornell and was okay with the weather

i think i know who you're referring to. also i feel like you somehow know who i am im scared lmao (jk). are you from the Caribbean as well? or just know ppl from there?

 

[beans2020]

thank you for this!! ccan you provide an example of what ppl did to comply with points 4 & 5? for example, i honestly did not plan on having a car bc of the expenses (parking permit monthly bill, gas, repairs if needed, etc). i planned on maybe buying an electric scooter or something or a bike that helps me get places. (obviously i have no idea how id do in the actual winter times etc, but im trying to cut costs wherever i can. and point 5, do you know how any students were able to make that income?

So if you are not planning on having a vehicle, you don't have to worry about the Missouri plates. That is only if you have a car in your name. For example, I do have a car but it is in my dad's name, not mine, so I didn't have to change the plates on it.

And yes - I know a lot of people who have gotten the money in multiple ways. Off the top of my head, I know some people worked at the vet hospital front desk throughout the school year, someone donated plasma (IDK how they pulled that off but they did), some people worked as bartenders/waitstaff/baristas, some people worked during the summer at local vet clinics, etc. A super popular option and what I did is participating in Mizzou's summer vet research program - you get a stipend that is more than $3,000 and you get a basically free trip to present your research at the Veterinary Scholars Symposium. So not a bad deal if you're okay with doing research for a few months. I believe people have done it through things like DoorDash too but that is harder to track.

 

[beans2020]

Edit: from your avatar i can see you like Stranger Things. I feel like that last season did not do it for me. I wish it did not end 🙁

haha yes you got me!! I enjoyed watching the last season until I hit the finale - I thought that was disappointing especially with the loose plot threads that didn't get tied up. I am planning on going back to rewatch the first four seasons soon because they are SO GOOD!!!
and I can't accept it ended like that 🙁