TX/CA residency question. Please help, urgent!!

[thiophorase]

I’ve searched and searched for an answer to this question, but haven’t found anything

I have lived in California my whole life. I am moving to Texas to work in a research lab at UTSW later in summer, and will apply next cycle (May 2026). I have a 4.0 and 524.

I will be renting an apartment, and given the length of time i will have lived there before applying, I could be considered a Texas resident.

Now, there are a few issues with this. One is that Texas schools might think I am moving solely to game the system and get into their schools. Second, I have heard that high stat applicants TX residents are assumed to get into TX schools by OOS schools, and are not interviewed. So, I don't want a situation where I shoot myself in the foot where TX doesn't consider me a "true" resident while OOS schools think I'll be a shoo-in to TX schools.

So, is it possible for me to use my parents’ California address to apply everywhere as a California resident? Or since I am living in Texas will I have to classify myself as a Texas resident?

Would love to hear anyone’s thoughts who have been thru this before. Thank you so much in advance!!

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[thiophorase]

@Goro

 

[Med Ed]

Counterpoint #1: every year many people leave California permanently for various reasons. If anyone knows this, it's Texas.

Counterpoint #2: certain institutions have little problem attracting high stat applicants, even from Texas.

In short, you are overthinking this. If you establish residency in Texas that is sufficient for medical school admissions purposes, then you are a Texas resident. Period.

 

[lionelrigby]

12 months before application deadline is all you need!

As long as you moved there before October 2025 and would be there for a full year by October 2026, you would count as a Texas resident! Even if you werent there for 12 months by the time you applied in May 2026.

The guidelines specifically state this so check it out!

As for applying AMCAS using California address and applying TMDSAS using Texas address, no idea there. I wonder if anyone else knows.

 

[wysdoc]

I’ve searched and searched for an answer to this question, but haven’t found anything

I have lived in California my whole life. I am moving to Texas to work in a research lab at UTSW later in summer, and will apply next cycle (May 2026). I have a 4.0 and 524.

I will be renting an apartment, and given the length of time i will have lived there before applying, I could be considered a Texas resident.

Now, there are a few issues with this. One is that Texas schools might think I am moving solely to game the system and get into their schools. Second, I have heard that high stat applicants TX residents are assumed to get into TX schools by OOS schools, and are not interviewed. So, I don't want a situation where I shoot myself in the foot where TX doesn't consider me a "true" resident while OOS schools think I'll be a shoo-in to TX schools.

So, is it possible for me to use my parents’ California address to apply everywhere as a California resident? Or since I am living in Texas will I have to classify myself as a Texas resident?

Would love to hear anyone’s thoughts who have been thru this before. Thank you so much in advance!!

One important detail is whether the research lab position is a job (employment) or an academic pursuit (a masters degree or such).
Being in Texas for the primary purpose of schooling does not qualify.

If it is work, and you have lived and worked in Texas continuously for more than 12 months by October 1 2026, you will qualify for Texas resident status by TMDSAS rules. Keep rent receipts to prove it if TMDSAS asks you.

This is not really an "urgent" question to nail down the answer to, because life happens and things can change.
examples:
- Your new Texas job loses funding and you don't get to stay & work for a year as you planned
- You hate the job and/or the state of Texas and decide to move home
- Any other random problem changing your plans

Texas schools don't care if you just moved to Texas, only whether you meet residency by the rules & standards.
Advantages (if you like Texas) are that 90% of matriculants to TMDSAS schools must be Texas residents. Your stats make you competitive as an OOS applicant too.

Finally, you can't claim one state on AMCAS and another on TMDSAS.
See where your life takes you and what happens in the next year.

 

[Arbitas]

Schools like UTSW and Baylor probably won't care if you're a new implant, but schools with specific mission ties to serving their local Texas community (UoH, TTEP, TTL, UTT) most likely will

 

[thiophorase]

One important detail is whether the research lab position is a job (employment) or an academic pursuit (a masters degree or such).
Being in Texas for the primary purpose of schooling does not qualify.

If it is work, and you have lived and worked in Texas continuously for more than 12 months by October 1 2026, you will qualify for Texas resident status by TMDSAS rules. Keep rent receipts to prove it if TMDSAS asks you.

This is not really an "urgent" question to nail down the answer to, because life happens and things can change.
examples:
- Your new Texas job loses funding and you don't get to stay & work for a year as you planned
- You hate the job and/or the state of Texas and decide to move home
- Any other random problem changing your plans

Texas schools don't care if you just moved to Texas, only whether you meet residency by the rules & standards.
Advantages (if you like Texas) are that 90% of matriculants to TMDSAS schools must be Texas residents. Your stats make you competitive as an OOS applicant too.

Finally, you can't claim one state on AMCAS and another on TMDSAS.
See where your life takes you and what happens in the next year.

Thanks for the response! I agree that a lot can change in the next year. Given that my stats make me competitive for applying to TX as an OOS, is it crazy to want to apply as a CA resident? I feel like it keeps my option open for CA, allows me to try for Texas schools, and doesn't bias OOS schools against me.

I'm just not sure how CA deals with proof of residency. I went to high school/college here, so I feel more connected to CA.

Do you happen to know how proof of residency works for AMCAS?

 

[Mr.Smile12]

AMCAS does not set rules for state residency. The individual schools do.

 

[thiophorase]

AMCAS does not set rules for state residency. The individual schools do.

Gotcha, thanks. What do you suggest I do? I want to keep options open for CA and OOS, and it seems like becoming a TX resident limits me to mostly TX schools.