State residency - how does the system REALLY work?

[kpittma]

---

Members don't see this ad.

How does state residency REALLY work? I know it is different for each state and the information is usually found on the school's website, so let me give you an example for clarification.

Basically, I have ben researching medical schools for awhile and have decideds that there are a lot of good medical schools out there. I have gone to see some of them and there is one I pretty much thought was completely awesome b/c of location, facilities, program, friendly students/admissions people, etc. and that place is UVM. Currently, I reside in the south (TN to be exact), but I have my heart set on going to UVM because that is where I feel I will be happiest. However, I would like to be classified as IS to have a better chance of getting in/lower tuition rates. If I graduate, then work in VT for a year and get everything changed over (driver's license, voting registration, whatever else you need) to VT status before applying for medical school, would they REALLY classify me as IS? The reason I ask is because the clause in the VT residency statement that a person must establish domicile in VT one year prior to the first day of classes... and can show that he is not in the state for education purposes only. Would they call me out on my intent to go to school there and that is why I moved?

Sorry it was long, but I couldn't find any good resources on it. Thanks in advance for any help!

 

[greatnt249]

How does state residency REALLY work?

It works by allowing those who actually live in the state to reap the benefits of having their tax dollars go to work in their state of residency. I don't see why you'd go through all of that extra work and waiting not knowing if you'd even get into the school you want to go to.

 

[Ride Big Sky]

I don't know any specifics, but I was told by an adviser at UVM's post bac program that it is relatively easy to set up a VT residency compared to other schools. Sorry I don't have any specifics.

 

[amakhosidlo]

How does state residency REALLY work?

Exactly as it's laid out in the state's civil code, which I'm sure you've looked over.
Honestly though, if I were to move to a state purely for the purposes of being classified as in-state, I'd move to a state with more than one medical school.

Try Texas or Florida.

Would they call me out on my intent to go to school there and that is why I moved?

Officially, no. Unofficially they'll probably pick up on what you're doing.
Dunno if it would come up at all, or if it would meaningfully factor into their decision though...

 

[kpittma]

thanks to those who made real replies. I am still at least a year away from applying if I go straight through to medical school, this just came up (for now) as a hypothetical situation. Everyone knows medical students are going to be in debt after school (well, most of us anyways), I am just trying to figure out which path to med school will lead to less stress on me and my future family.

Anyways, thanks again!

and Amakhosidlo,
TX or FL would be good if that is where I want to be... for that matter, there are enough schools here in TN. I just want a change of scenery and when I visited UVM, I found exactly what I was looking for.

 

[J ROD]

If that is where you want to go, then I would simply move there and set up shop. I would get a job and then apply a year or two later.

Better yet, enroll in a post-bac if you need to boost your grades and make it look better on paper or enroll in MA.

Personally, I would learn to "love" a school in TN where you may have a better shot with more schools.

Life is not perfect....

 

[kami333]

"not in the state for education purposes only" usually means that you need to have a full-time job for a year and not take any classes. It can help to have a official job offer before you move. Also you should be careful because "a person must establish domicile in VT one year prior to the first day of classes" may refer to getting in-state tuition, and not necessarily for in-state preference for admissions.

Whether they will call you out or not, who knows, but in my experience residency is a simple yes or no question and that's as far as it goes.


I don't think it's that unreasonable to consider moving, my gf's boss is moving to Ohio from Utah and he wants her (and me by connection) to go with him. Part of what is making our decision difficult is the fact that while she has a great offer if she stays, Ohio does have 5 state schools while Utah only has one. Decisions decisions...

 

[mihan]

not to change the topic of the thread an all (which, as I am typing this, I am totally doing, heh), but I had a semi-related question as well.

If I go to college out of my official "residency" state and rarely have contact with that state for the four years in college, will I still be counted as "in-state?" I read somewhere that state schools ask questions specifically to in-state applicants to verify their connection to the state...

 

[amakhosidlo]

If I go to college out of my official "residency" state and rarely have contact with that state for the four years in college, will I still be counted as "in-state?"

In almost all cases, yes.

To be sure, ask yourself these questions:

1. Do your parents/guardians live there?
2. Is your permanent address in that state?
3. Do you have a driver's license or voter registration from that state?

Assuming you only left to go to college, a "yes" to any of these questions pretty much means you're a resident.

 

[kami333]

Forgot to mention one more thing, I'd be very careful of how you do your taxes. My girlfriend almost didn't get residency (for tuition purposes) a year after she graduated and moved (she had an offer letter before she moved and full time employment the whole year) since her parents had claimed her as a dependant for the previous tax year in a different state.

 

[Isoprop]

I've heard it's really hard to get TX residency.

BTW, it's not just number of schools but number of applicants. CA has a crapload of schools but the # of medical school seats to # of applicants ratio is astronomical.