Texas residency info

[rice2017]

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Hi everyone, I have a pretty complicated question about establishing Texas residency for the TMDSAS. I'm a sophomore at Rice, and a transplant from California, where my parents live/work. During my time in Texas I've grown to love the state, and I want to stay and practice primary care after (hopefully) attending one of Texas' medical schools. In order to have a decent shot of being admitted, however, I need to jump through some hurdles.

Here's my current plan:
-My parents will file me as independent in their federal tax return for 2015, and my full tuition will still be covered by my grandmother's gift for me. They previously filed me as dependent because the money is going through their bank account, and there's not a clear distinction between their savings/my inherited money.
-To establish domicile, I plan on purchasing a cheap condo soon in Houston under my name (again with grandma's gift) and living in it.
-By the fall 2016 admission cycle, I will be independent for the current and previous year (2015), and the owner of real estate for over 12 months. I think that fulfills the hard-coded requirements.

So now my questions are:
-Can my parents still file me as dependent for 2014 to get a tax rebate? Or is it risky in any way?
-Would me not having to work set off any questions about being dependent/independent? Technically I'm living off of funds, which is also a replacement for employment and thus a domicile qualifier (I could be wrong; the rules are hard to parse).
-Other factors that can help my case? I can explain my motivations in a letter to the TMDSAS along with my residency application.

Thanks so much for taking the time to read this!

 

[Aquinas]

Honestly I would suggest you get some sort of job in addition to owning land. I have a lot of foreigners in my family that were "international students" (but still had American passports). But when it came time to apply for residency in order to apply to medical schools, they had issues with filling as residents because they proved they had "land" but had no proof of how they acquired it (paying for). But then again their "international status" could have offset that more.

I don't think there is anything wrong with you being filed as an dependent for this tax return. Although, I would personally be an independent for this tax return as well just to deal with anything that COULD happen instead of waiting so close to application cycle for anything to go wrong. But I'm just paranoid.

Overall I don't really see a problem. Just when/if they ask you why Texas, I guess be able to answer thoughtfully and truthfully (I don't think they will). Cause I hear it's crazy hard to get into Cali schools. I would establish residency elsewhere too if I was in your shoes. Nothing wrong with better your chances at cheaper schools.

 

[LChristmas]

I had a bunch of questions regarding my state residency, so I emailed TMDSAS about it. They answered all of my questions, and I was able to count on being given correct information. So, that is my recommendation to you as well.

PS. I don't think they need to know where you get your money.

Edit: To establish residency you need to live in Texas for 12 consecutive months and own property for 12 months prior to the application deadline of the year in which you are applying.

https://www.tmdsas.com/medical/residency.html

 

[Doogie17]

besides working, registar to vote in TX as soon as you legally can and cancel your CA voter registration.

I got court emancipated at 16 yo to break the parent link and be independent.

 

[Afford]

I used these rules to make sure I was a Texas resident: http://www.collegeforalltexans.com/index.cfm?ObjectID=6D1466D9-AEA5-DE00-C12F3F75E7367718. I think they're the most updated ones. It's really weird because the laws keep on changing and every school doesn't update their forms. Also, the process for Texas residency for med school is the same as public undergraduate colleges.

Under the questionnaire, you need to be independent to use the domicile argument because if you're dependent, it will use your parent's domicile. Also, TMDSAS uses the 12 months before the application deadline and I think Baylor uses the 12 months before med school matriculation (Baylor doesn't really list very detailed information). Also, TMDSAS checks if you're a Texas resident at application and the Texas med school checks if you're a Texas resident at matriculation.

 

[rice2017]

Thanks for the advice! I think I'll give Texas residency a shot my junior year (and apply to some schools in other states too). If that doesn't work out, I'll apply to more out-of-state schools my senior year.

Worst case scenario, I can graduate and work as an EMT for a year before applying again 🙂