picking a state? need some advice

[LupaCupcake]

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Hello everyone! Most of you know me, any new people may not. I have been really busy so somewhat absent past few months.

I need some advice, I have a huge decision to make that I still cannot make and this website is the only one I know of with people that will understand.

Here is the situation:
In November we (hubby, me, daughter) are leaving the military and moving back to the U.S. We currently live in Germany. I will have a bachelor degree completed at this time, but I have limited availability of face to face science courses at this post so I am not able to complete my chemistry and physics prereqs. The plan is that when we move back to the U.S I will take those classes at some school in the states along with biochemistry since it is recommended. I don't care if it is science classes ala carte or a formal post bacc program, but I don't need to do all of the prereqs so most likely it will be ala carte.

This is where the decision comes into play. It is 100% up to me what state we move to. I originally decided to go to Ohio , but that has now changed due to a couple reasons. The only family we have is my mother, but she just moved to an area that has a very high unemployment rating. We can't take the risk of moving to an area with very high unemployment ratings so we will be moving to a state where we don't know anyone, we will have zero backups.


I need to decide what state we are moving to. This state needs to meet some criteria which I will list below

• decent unemployment rate (http://www.bls.gov/web/laus/laumstrk.htm) that link has the unemployment rate of states, any state from #1-25 is an option.
• cost of living is not outrageous
• at least 1 medical school in that state (preferably more)
• crime rate is not high (I have a 5 year old daughter to think about)
• the last criteria is more of a preference, but not a requirement...I would prefer to finish my prereqs at a school that operates on a quarter system instead of semester because I can get classes knocked out faster. I do well when I am challenged and things are fast paced so that works good for me.

I am having a really hard time making this decision. My husband is wonderful in that he is leaving it up to me because the idea behind that is my passion to become a doctor is the focus of our future. He is 100% supportive, I appreciate that, but on the other hand if I pick a state and something goes wrong I feel like it will be my fault.


So this decision is about medical school, but it also encompasses the family and I know some of you on this forum have families to take care of so you can understand that balance between becoming a doctor and family life.

If anyone has any suggestions or any type of advice that is related to this I would greatly appreciate it because I need to make this decision ASAP so he can start job searching online, I can find a specific city and start looking at rental apts/houses for us and get anything in line for the schooling.

Thank you in advance for any advice on this because no one else really understands the whole "becoming a doctor" journey and the stress associated with that. I want to make the best decision for my family and for my goal of medical school.

 

[dmf2682]

Just move to Ohio. You don't have to move to Youngstown, which is the part of the state bringing it down, and even with it's only 26 in your list. Plus it has something like 5 in state medical schools.

 

[dmf2682]

Here's a thread that might help.

http://forums.studentdoctor.net/showthread.php?t=903630

 

[minkshag]

Ummm.. Texas? Tons of cheap med schools, tons of universities where you can take your remaining pre-reqs.

 

[Brachyury]

Hello everyone! Most of you know me, any new people may not. I have been really busy so somewhat absent past few months.

I need some advice, I have a huge decision to make that I still cannot make and this website is the only one I know of with people that will understand.

Here is the situation:
In November we (hubby, me, daughter) are leaving the military and moving back to the U.S. We currently live in Germany. I will have a bachelor degree completed at this time, but I have limited availability of face to face science courses at this post so I am not able to complete my chemistry and physics prereqs. The plan is that when we move back to the U.S I will take those classes at some school in the states along with biochemistry since it is recommended. I don't care if it is science classes ala carte or a formal post bacc program, but I don't need to do all of the prereqs so most likely it will be ala carte.

This is where the decision comes into play. It is 100% up to me what state we move to. I originally decided to go to Ohio , but that has now changed due to a couple reasons. The only family we have is my mother, but she just moved to an area that has a very high unemployment rating. We can't take the risk of moving to an area with very high unemployment ratings so we will be moving to a state where we don't know anyone, we will have zero backups.



I need to decide what state we are moving to. This state needs to meet some criteria which I will list below

• decent unemployment rate (http://www.bls.gov/web/laus/laumstrk.htm) that link has the unemployment rate of states, any state from #1-25 is an option.
• cost of living is not outrageous
• at least 1 medical school in that state (preferably more)
• crime rate is not high (I have a 5 year old daughter to think about)
• the last criteria is more of a preference, but not a requirement...I would prefer to finish my prereqs at a school that operates on a quarter system instead of semester because I can get classes knocked out faster. I do well when I am challenged and things are fast paced so that works good for me.

I am having a really hard time making this decision. My husband is wonderful in that he is leaving it up to me because the idea behind that is my passion to become a doctor is the focus of our future. He is 100% supportive, I appreciate that, but on the other hand if I pick a state and something goes wrong I feel like it will be my fault.


So this decision is about medical school, but it also encompasses the family and I know some of you on this forum have families to take care of so you can understand that balance between becoming a doctor and family life.

If anyone has any suggestions or any type of advice that is related to this I would greatly appreciate it because I need to make this decision ASAP so he can start job searching online, I can find a specific city and start looking at rental apts/houses for us and get anything in line for the schooling.

Thank you in advance for any advice on this because no one else really understands the whole "becoming a doctor" journey and the stress associated with that. I want to make the best decision for my family and for my goal of medical school.

Anywhere in the South, honestly, just pick a state, probably not Georgia because it only has MCG (and I guess technically Mercer). Albama, Texas, North Carolina, and South Carolina all have more than one public med school, and in each state, each has at least one good school and one "safety" school

 

[octupus]

Agree with above, Texas. I hear they are also more welcoming to non-trads and may be more family oriented (correct if this is wrong?) than your average northeast school.

Florida has tons of public schools, most of which only require 1 year residence to claim in-state. They are also opening a new school I believe in Palm Beach, Palm Beach Medical College.

Massachusetts state school requires 5 year proof of residence, scratch that.

 

[LupaCupcake]

questiona bout texas....

I know about that rule of living in texas for one year without going to school to get residency..that is a pain.

I was born in texas, but I found nothing stating I could get residency with that since I have not lived in texas since I was a kid.

I was just told that if I am married to someone who lives in texas for one year without going to school then I will be granted residency from that. I am married and since I have to finish up prereqs that means he will be living in texas for a year before I can even apply. Has anyone else heard of this? Is this true? If this is true then that means texas residency....I don't have to explain to any of you the benefits of having texas residency

 

[theseeker4]

Ummm.. Texas? Tons of cheap med schools, tons of universities where you can take your remaining pre-reqs.

Agree with above, Texas. I hear they are also more welcoming to non-trads and may be more family oriented (correct if this is wrong?) than your average northeast school.

Florida has tons of public schools, most of which only require 1 year residence to claim in-state. They are also opening a new school I believe in Palm Beach, Palm Beach Medical College.

Massachusetts state school requires 5 year proof of residence, scratch that.

Add another vote for Texas. If I had a choice of states to move to, that would be my first choice due to the strong in-state preference. Only thing to consider is you would need to work a year without taking courses to establish residency.

 

[LupaCupcake]

Add another vote for Texas. If I had a choice of states to move to, that would be my first choice due to the strong in-state preference. Only thing to consider is you would need to work a year without taking courses to establish residency.

I was just told that if I am married to someone who lives in texas for one year without going to school then I will be granted residency from that. I am married and since I have to finish up prereqs that means he will be living in texas for a year before I can even apply. Has anyone else heard of this? Is this true? If this is true then that means texas residency....I don't have to explain to any of you the benefits of having texas residency

I am trying to look online and figure out if this is true cause if so....then absolutely texas it is

 

[couldabeenadoc]

Steer clear of the Keystone State, too much $$$ for med-school.

 

[octupus]

I was just told that if I am married to someone who lives in texas for one year without going to school then I will be granted residency from that. I am married and since I have to finish up prereqs that means he will be living in texas for a year before I can even apply. Has anyone else heard of this? Is this true? If this is true then that means texas residency....I don't have to explain to any of you the benefits of having texas residency

I am trying to look online and figure out if this is true cause if so....then absolutely texas it is

http://www.utsystem.edu/tmdsas/medical/residency.html

Yes, marrying someone who has established domicile will do.

12 months prior to October 1st. Always check with individual schools though... some time things are tricky, like the requirement to name your state of residence on your application or else it doesn't count. When are you relocating?

 

[galaxyx]

You should be fine if your husband works in Texas for one year. Also, I believe their consideration for residency after one year for an individual moving to and taking courses in Texas is that you would have to earn more than 50% of your tuition costs while working in Texas. So it's not like you're precluded from taking classes while establishing residency.

You also might get immediate residency if you move straight to Texas from the military, many states have liberal residency considerations for current/prior military.

 

[octupus]

If you meant just establishing residence for your post-bacc work.

http://www.collegeforalltexans.com/index.cfm?ObjectID=6D1466D9-AEA5-DE00-C12F3F75E7367718 (second link)

(e) Although not conclusive or exhaustive, the following factors occurring throughout at least 12 consecutive months immediately preceding the census date of the semester in which a person seeks to enroll may lend support to a claim regarding his/her intent to establish and maintain domicile in Texas:

(4) marriage, by the person seeking to enroll or the dependent's parent, to a
person who has established and maintained domicile in Texas.

The question is how long does your husband have to be established as Texas resident for? Call schools to get the best and safest answer.

Edit: above poster is also right. I believe Florida has special rules for those in military.

 

[galaxyx]

"Veterans. Veterans and their spouse or dependents qualify for residency if they enroll in a higher education institution within one year of their honorable discharge. Additionally, you must have taken action at least one year prior to the start of classes to establish Texas as your permanent residence. Qualifying actions may include making Texas their military home of record or registering to vote in Texas." -from http://www.gibill.com/rates/states/tx/

 

[theseeker4]

I was just told that if I am married to someone who lives in texas for one year without going to school then I will be granted residency from that. I am married and since I have to finish up prereqs that means he will be living in texas for a year before I can even apply. Has anyone else heard of this? Is this true? If this is true then that means texas residency....I don't have to explain to any of you the benefits of having texas residency

I am trying to look online and figure out if this is true cause if so....then absolutely texas it is

I would check with the individual med schools in the state, and the Texas application service for med schools if I were you. That is even better if you can take classes immediately and still establish residency.

 

[Caprica6]

"Veterans. Veterans and their spouse or dependents qualify for residency if they enroll in a higher education institution within one year of their honorable discharge. Additionally, you must have taken action at least one year prior to the start of classes to establish Texas as your permanent residence. Qualifying actions may include making Texas their military home of record or registering to vote in Texas." -from http://www.gibill.com/rates/states/tx/

This is common and applies to some other states as well. Be sure to check into this if you decide on somewhere other than TX.