Is applying out-of-state worth it? How would one attend an interview? Does tuition decrease after a year of living in the state? Any thoughts or opinions?
Questions about applying out-of-state
- Thread starter amlope03
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For the amount it costs to go out of state, I don't believe it is worth it. You have to pay for your own airfare and hotel accommodations when attending interviews. As for the reduced tuition, that varies between schools. It can be quite difficult to receive decreased tuition after a year because you usually have to provide proof that you'll be staying in the state after graduation.
Don't hesitate to apply if you think you're a good fit, but also don't hesitate to ask questions before you spend the money on the interviews. I spent almost $1000 between flight, hotel & rental car to get to the school and find out at the interview they only had 2 spots left; it was an interview for their waitlist. If I had known that, I would have turned down the interview & saved the money.
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I went to an out of state private school even after being accepted at Ohio State (which would've been in state for me). Ultimately it would've cost slightly less in total to attend the state school but I liked the location of the other (Philadelphia) and the overall feel better.
I'm in my first week at the private school and so glad I chose to go there.
I'm in my first week at the private school and so glad I chose to go there.
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It depends. Coming from California, there were many out-of-state options that were close or equal to in-state tuition in California. I prioritized applications to out-of-state schools which didn't interview, were affordable, and whose admission criteria aligned best with my strengths as an applicant. My out-of-state targets ranged from private schools in low-CoL areas to public schools with relatively low tuition.
I was accepted to an in-state public school in Cal but ultimately decided on an out of state school that was <$10k more expensive but was in an area I preferred (in which I was also able to invest in real estate and save a ton of money on living expenses, didn't have the $$$ to do that in Cali). I was invited to several out-of-state interviews and that's the tough part. I wanted to go to all of them but you're looking at thousands of dollars. I flew out to one of them but once I had my first acceptance I was happy with, I didn't go to any more. I was able to ask one of them to do a phone interview and they obliged.
As far as tuition decreasing after a year in state, it varies by state, and it's rare. I was lucky enough to land in a state and institution where you can do it, but I had no idea going in. Some schools will offer scholarships or grad assistant positions that waive OOS tuition, but you can't count on this.
This is about the same situation as me thought I am still applying for schools right now. I'm wondering what your stats were, what in-state schools you applied to and what school you're at now if you don't mind me asking?
