Not a resident of any state!

[mellie0]

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I was wondering how the state of residency was listed on AMCAS. I recently became a US permanent resident (green card holder) and I don't have the usual documents of proof that Americans have -- I graduated high school in my home country, don't have a driver's license in the US, don't file taxes since I'm just an undergrad who doesn't make money, etc. So how would that play out on my application? Would it look weird that I'm a US resident but not a resident of any state?

Would my list of schools just include private schools?

It seems like all of you guys make such a big deal out of your state of residency that it makes me wonder if not having one will hurt me/look suspicious or weird. Like, what's so wrong about being a CA resident? I understand their schools have high stats and they're OOS friendly -- but CA residents can just apply to private schools so I don't seem to understand the big fuss about it.

I go to undergrad in Massachusetts if that helps

Any help would be appreciated! Thank you!

 

[soadhead]

If your permanent address is in Massachusetts, then you are a resident of Massachusetts.

 

[mellie0]

But it's not. I'm here for college only. It's not my permanent residence. My parents/family are still back where I'm from.

 

[goldy490]

Do you hold a lease? Whatever aparentment or living space you rent is your permanent address I think

 

[almanac23]

I know the greencard process pretty well. If you do not work/pay taxes in the US (companies can sponsor for greencards), someone from your family must have sponsored you for the greencard. But you say your parents/family are back in your home country. What information did you give for your greencard then?

 

[y123]

Phone bill? Utility bill?

 

[banthapug]

I was wondering how the state of residency was listed on AMCAS. I recently became a US permanent resident (green card holder) and I don't have the usual documents of proof that Americans have -- I graduated high school in my home country, don't have a driver's license in the US, don't file taxes since I'm just an undergrad who doesn't make money, etc. So how would that play out on my application? Would it look weird that I'm a US resident but not a resident of any state?

Would my list of schools just include private schools?

It seems like all of you guys make such a big deal out of your state of residency that it makes me wonder if not having one will hurt me/look suspicious or weird. Like, what's so wrong about being a CA resident? I understand their schools have high stats and they're OOS friendly -- but CA residents can just apply to private schools so I don't seem to understand the big fuss about it.

I go to undergrad in Massachusetts if that helps

Any help would be appreciated! Thank you!

You might not be a resident of any state, and this can happen to American citizens as well. Not being a resident of any state doesn't make you look weird - it's as easy as this - move away from home, start working in a new state, never vote, never change your driver's license but file your taxes at your new state. That complicates things real fast and depending on which state you are in neither might claim you as a resident. As you are still a student, I think it would heavily depend on how MA determines their residency. Some states don't consider people who are residing in their state for education purposes as residents. If MA does this, you wouldn't be a resident anywhere.

I would suggest you establish domicile in MA, especially since U of MA is incredibly in-state biased. If you have a part time job, even through school, start doing taxes. Get a MA driver's license. If you have a car, make sure it is registered in MA.

 

[mellie0]

I know the greencard process pretty well. If you do not work/pay taxes in the US (companies can sponsor for greencards), someone from your family must have sponsored you for the greencard. But you say your parents/family are back in your home country. What information did you give for your greencard then?

Yes, you do know the process well! My cousin is sponsoring me. He's a NY resident. That doesn't make ME a NY resident though /:

 

[banthapug]

Yes, you do know the process well! My cousin is sponsoring me. He's a NY resident. That doesn't make ME a NY resident though /:

You're right, it doesn't. After you've got your green card your domicile and residency works the same as any US citizen. So, if you want to be an MA resident, you have to collect as many evidence on paper as possible. Look on UMass' website to see what they need to prove that you are a Mass resident - state schools usually have pretty specific guidelines.

Source: got my GC a couple years ago as well 😉

 

[mellie0]

You might not be a resident of any state, and this can happen to American citizens as well. Not being a resident of any state doesn't make you look weird - it's as easy as this - move away from home, start working in a new state, never vote, never change your driver's license but file your taxes at your new state. That complicates things real fast and depending on which state you are in neither might claim you as a resident. As you are still a student, I think it would heavily depend on how MA determines their residency. Some states don't consider people who are residing in their state for education purposes as residents. If MA does this, you wouldn't be a resident anywhere.

I would suggest you establish domicile in MA, especially since U of MA is incredibly in-state biased. If you have a part time job, even through school, start doing taxes. Get a MA driver's license. If you have a car, make sure it is registered in MA.

Yes, I looked at the MA residency requirements and they're insanely difficult to meet. One of them is having filed taxes in MA for 5 consecutive years! I mean, in their defense, MA receives a lot of students each year.. I understand them not wanting all of us to suddenly claim MA residency.

I'm applying to med school next June.. I doubt it's worth doing anything now. I suppose I can get a driver's license, but that's about it. Not sure how much that'll help me. And between studying for the MCAT versus preparing for the MA DL test (which is hard I've heard) I think we all know which one sounds like a waste of time compared to the other one, especially since I don't drive.

Thanks for your help!

 

[IlDestriero]

As B.pug noted above, it happens to US citizens as well depending on the state you are in, what your status is, and how long you've been there. No big deal, though you may not have much of a chance at the local state schools.