No in-state option

[Abby_Normal]

I was wondering if anyone has any advice for those of us with no in-state option. I go to college in MA, but that doesn't make me a legal resident and I spent the first two decades of my life in NJ, but since my family moved to ME this fall, I unfortunately do not count as a resident any more. And, of course ME has no medical school.

In short, is there any advantage to applying to medical schools in areas to which I have some sort of connection (NJ area or MA area) even if I don't have the advantage of being a resident of those states? I know it won't get me in-state tuition or priority, but I can't help but think that being able to demonstrate some connection to that state would set me apart from other out of state applicants with no connection whatsoever.

Thoughts?

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[womp]

I was wondering if anyone has any advice for those of us with no in-state option. I go to college in MA, but that doesn't make me a legal resident and I spent the first two decades of my life in NJ, but since my family moved to ME this fall, I unfortunately do not count as a resident any more. And, of course ME has no medical school.

In short, is there any advantage to applying to medical schools in areas to which I have some sort of connection (NJ area or MA area) even if I don't have the advantage of being a resident of those states? I know it won't get me in-state tuition or priority, but I can't help but think that being able to demonstrate some connection to that state would set me apart from other out of state applicants with no connection whatsoever.

Thoughts?

I think it helps. A lot of state-school secondaries even ask for state ties in their essays. If there's no place on the application for you to describe your significant ties to the state, you could also write the school a letter detailing them and your interests in returning to the state.

 

[RogueUnicorn]

as a resident of maine there are some private/public schools that will have spots reserved for you i think

 

[metallica81788]

as a resident of maine there are some private/public schools that will have spots reserved for you i think

I think Vermont and Tufts do that, but don't quote me on it - purely from what I think I know and don't feel like looking up.

 

[MegaProjectile]

I think Vermont and Tufts do that, but don't quote me on it - purely from what I think I know and don't feel like looking up.

Tufts has a Maine Track for applicants that are legal residents of Maine. They reserve 36 seats for them. Not a bad deal.

 

[Abby_Normal]

Tufts has a Maine Track for applicants that are legal residents of Maine. They reserve 36 seats for them. Not a bad deal.

I know, but there are several problems with the Maine Track:
1) They want people with strong ties to Maine. I have technically never lived in Maine. The most I will have lived there come interview time next year will be one summer, so about three months if that.
2) The program focus on rural medicine so I think there's also a focus on people interested in primary care, and I don't really see myself doing that. I'm planning on looking into it a bit more, though, because I might be able to cast the the specialties and sub-specialties that interest me most at this point in a light that is in line with rural medicine.

Nonetheless, I probably will apply, because even if I am not really eligible for the Maine Track, my application will still be considered for the regular MD program.

 

[MegaProjectile]

I know, but there are several problems with the Maine Track:
1) They want people with strong ties to Maine. I have technically never lived in Maine. The most I will have lived there come interview time next year will be one summer, so about three months if that.
2) The program focus on rural medicine so I think there's also a focus on people interested in primary care, and I don't really see myself doing that. I'm planning on looking into it a bit more, though, because I might be able to cast the the specialties and sub-specialties that interest me most at this point in a light that is in line with rural medicine.

Nonetheless, I probably will apply, because even if I am not really eligible for the Maine Track, my application will still be considered for the regular MD program.

Having parents that live in Maine is a pretty strong tie, if you ask me. I'd play that up about how people like your parents need doctors in communities around Maine. And also read up on health issues facing the Maine population.

Also rural medicine doesn't necessarily = primary care. People in these communities also need cardiologists, orthopaedic surgeons, urologists and so on. Maine medical center, where you'll be doing your rotation, is a 600-bed tertiary referral hospital. You'll get great exposure to any specialty that you want.

 

[RogueUnicorn]

Tufts has a Maine Track for applicants that are legal residents of Maine. They reserve 36 seats for them. Not a bad deal.

36! what with their SMP and their early assurance agreement with various local colleges it's amazing that they even have spots left over for standard admissions

 

[MegaProjectile]

36! what with their SMP and their early assurance agreement with various local colleges it's amazing that they even have spots left over for standard admissions

That's why they have a class size of 200! 😀

 

[memedimonkey]

Go to the residency forms for each state- could you remain a NJ resident despite your parents leaving? Many states do not count against you the time spent at university in another state, if you were already a genuine resident of their state before you left.

Check MA, can you become a resident while a student if you declare yourself and follow all the requirements?

You may need to file taxes NOT as a dependent of your parents

Check Maine, can you be a legal resident as a dependent of your parents?

You likely need to register to vote, register your car, get a driver's license, etc. I also had the option of choosing one of three states and checked into it a year ago and then followed all the rules and had no problem being a resident of the state I chose.

But, I needed to be very careful and specific in my actions and intentions.

 

[09javcar]

I was wondering if anyone has any advice for those of us with no in-state option. I go to college in MA, but that doesn't make me a legal resident and I spent the first two decades of my life in NJ, but since my family moved to ME this fall, I unfortunately do not count as a resident any more. And, of course ME has no medical school.

In short, is there any advantage to applying to medical schools in areas to which I have some sort of connection (NJ area or MA area) even if I don't have the advantage of being a resident of those states? I know it won't get me in-state tuition or priority, but I can't help but think that being able to demonstrate some connection to that state would set me apart from other out of state applicants with no connection whatsoever.

Thoughts?

I would check up on that again. How can you be a resident of NO state? I think you're still considered a resident of NJ.

 

[memedimonkey]

Being a state resident in general is different than being a state resident for tuition and admissions purposes; it can also be different for undergrad versus grad work.

It would be possible to not qualify for in state tuition/admissions in any state if you sent mixed signals. It is all about being able to complete the residency questionnaire the correct way.

 

[RogueUnicorn]

Go to the residency forms for each state- could you remain a NJ resident despite your parents leaving? Many states do not count against you the time spent at university in another state, if you were already a genuine resident of their state before you left.

Check MA, can you become a resident while a student if you declare yourself and follow all the requirements?

You may need to file taxes NOT as a dependent of your parents

Check Maine, can you be a legal resident as a dependent of your parents?

You likely need to register to vote, register your car, get a driver's license, etc. I also had the option of choosing one of three states and checked into it a year ago and then followed all the rules and had no problem being a resident of the state I chose.

But, I needed to be very careful and specific in my actions and intentions.

no chance for MA

 

[dw2158]

Check MA, can you become a resident while a student if you declare yourself and follow all the requirements?

no chance for MA

these.

also you can't even apply to umass if you're not a MA resident unless you're doing md/phd-- just fyi.

 

[Jolt21]

Dartmouth has something like 5 seats reserved for Maine and NH kids. It may not sound like a lot, but it matters.

 

[RogueUnicorn]

these.

also you can't even apply to umass if you're not a MA resident unless you're doing md/phd-- just fyi.

which incidentally brings the delightful bonus of no secondary essays

 

[Abby_Normal]

I would check up on that again. How can you be a resident of NO state? I think you're still considered a resident of NJ.

I don't think I count as a legal resident of NJ because neither myself nor my parents will be paying taxes or have an address there any more (unless our house is still on the market next summer...). I still have an NJ driver's license, but to my understanding that does not make me an NJ resident as far as a state school is concerned. Anyway, I'm pretty sure that I legally count as a Maine resident, even though I haven't set foot in the state since my family moved there (year abroad...move happened like two weeks after I left). So, at present my strategy is to figure out how to work around the fact that Maine doesn't have a medical school.

MegaProjectile--thanks for the Tufts program...using the family connection hadn't occurred to me.

 

[orthomyxo]

which incidentally brings the delightful bonus of no secondary essays

For who? MA residents who apply to Umass or MD/PhD's?

 

[sustentacular]

I was wondering if anyone has any advice for those of us with no in-state option. I go to college in MA, but that doesn't make me a legal resident and I spent the first two decades of my life in NJ, but since my family moved to ME this fall, I unfortunately do not count as a resident any more. And, of course ME has no medical school.

Maine does have a DO school though; University of New England College of Osteopathic Medicine.

 

[dw2158]

For who? MA residents who apply to Umass or MD/PhD's?

i think he was joking. no application = no secondary essays. ha ha.

 

[RogueUnicorn]

i think he was joking. no application = no secondary essays. ha ha.

i wish i were so clever. but lo and behold

http://www.umassmed.edu/mdphd/admissions.aspx?linkidentifier=id&itemid=51042

"Applications are accepted to the MD/PHD program from all US Citizens and those holding permanent resident status within the United States. Applicants to the MD/PHD program should apply directly to the University of Massachusetts Medical School (SOM) through the American Medical College Application Service (AMCAS), indicating their interest in the combined degree program. Upon receipt of the AMCAS application, a UMMS supplemental application form will be forwarded to each applicant as well as materials related to the MD/PHD program. There is no fee for completing the secondary application for MD/PhD applicants. In addition, the secondary essay questions are waived. The only standardized testing required is the MCAT. For Massachusetts residents, if applicants are not accepted into the MD/PHD program, their application will still be considered for regular decision into the MD program. "

 

[bnp07]

As someone who grew up in Maine and now lives in Mass, I can tell you that you'd have no chance at getting into a Mass school...you have to be a hard core resident for at least five years (I think I saw that as a requirement for one school). UVM, Dartmouth, and Tufts all do the Maine track...I know Tufts will cut tuition in half (which is key considering how expensive it is). FAME (finance authority of Maine) will pay I think ~5,000 a year for UVM or Dartmouth, but that's only if they're sure you're gonna do rural primary care in Maine. They also have a forgiveable loans program where they pay up to 10,000 a year if you aren't in their access track option. I think if you check out FAME's website you could get more info.

 

[flip26]

Your longstanding ties to NJ should help you there. And IIRC, you can qualify for instate tuition there after one year.

Massachusetts probably has the toughest instate qualification laws for education purposes. If you attend college in MA from OOS, you have to live and work there 5 years post college graduation to qualify for instate for med school.

 

[RogueUnicorn]

Your longstanding ties to NJ should help you there. And IIRC, you can qualify for instate tuition there after one year.

Massachusetts probably has the toughest instate qualification laws for education purposes. If you attend college in MA from OOS, you have to live and work there 5 years post college graduation to qualify for instate for med school.

no college counts as long as you file state & federal income tax in MA

 

[flip26]

no college counts as long as you file state & federal income tax in MA

OK.

But not a very likely scenario for most college students unless you have a MA income AND you are no longer a dependent of your parents (they don't claim you as a dependent on their returns).

 

[RogueUnicorn]

OK.

But not a very likely scenario for most college students unless you have a MA income AND you are no longer a dependent of your parents (they don't claim you as a dependent on their returns).

in complete agreement.