When do schools actually check your permanent residency status?

[Sheemu]

So the thing is I already sent in my green card application last year, and right now the status just changed to "Waiting for Evidence" which pretty much means I just need to have my physical done, and I should almost 100% have my green card by next month, or September at the latest.

I wish to apply to med schools ASAP on AMCAS, because schools are rolling and I'm afraid waiting for full paperwork approval would hurt me. I've gotten mixed responses from schools when I've emailed them, some saying its fine to apply now as long as I'm a PR by time of admission, others saying I need to have the physical green card in hand when I apply.

My question is when do schools actually check your status? I marked my status on AMCAS as Permanent Resident, and by the time schools process my app I'll certainly have my paperwork approval ready, but does it matter that I technically was not a PR when I applied? Can/will they even bother to find out?

Thanks

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[gyngyn]

So the thing is I already sent in my green card application last year, and right now the status just changed to "Waiting for Evidence" which pretty much means I just need to have my physical done, and I should almost 100% have my green card by next month, or September at the latest.

I wish to apply to med schools ASAP on AMCAS, because schools are rolling and I'm afraid waiting for full paperwork approval would hurt me. I've gotten mixed responses from schools when I've emailed them, some saying its fine to apply now as long as I'm a PR by time of admission, others saying I need to have the physical green card in hand when I apply.

My question is when do schools actually check your status? I marked my status on AMCAS as Permanent Resident, and by the time schools process my app I'll certainly have my paperwork approval ready, but does it matter that I technically was not a PR when I applied? Can/will they even bother to find out?

Thanks

If you get an interview (having indicated that you are a PR) and we ask for your green card and you don't have it, you are toast.

 

[Sheemu]

If you get an interview (having indicated that you are a PR) and we ask for your green card and you don't have it, you are toast.

So as long as I have all my green card approval forms ready by the time interviews are conducted (for most schools, usually September), then I should be good?

 

[gyngyn]

So as long as I have all my green card approval forms ready by the time interviews are conducted (for most schools, usually September), then I should be good?

Applying as if you had a green card when you don't would be considered lying at my school.

 

[Traumweber]

So as long as I have all my green card approval forms ready by the time interviews are conducted (for most schools, usually September), then I should be good?

Not approval forms... you need to have the actual greencard.
A few schools require you to email them a copy of the actual green card to even mark your applications as complete and others ask you for the registration number on the card to be entered right into the secondary.

Also, are you talking about the I-485 when you mean "Waiting for evidence"?

 

[Sheemu]

Yes it's I-485 Pending right now.

So I guess you guys are saying to wait on applying until I get the Greencard. Which might take till September. Just out of morbid curiosity how much would this diminish my chances would you guys think?

Also, would it be better if I applied to schools now with AMCAS marked as international (even to schools that dont accept international), and just contact them to update them once I receive my greencard? Would this change anything?

 

[gyngyn]

Right I meant of course being honest on the primary that he is a non resident. If he then gets his green card within the next two months and updated schools accordingly, would schools switch him over from the international applicant to US permanent resident pile? Or even when he does get his green card, is he still going to be considered an international applicant for the entire application cycle because that's how he applied initially on AMCAS? I was not in anyway suggesting he lie on his AMCAS.

I just meant that if was not possible to update schools when he becomes a permanent resident (having marked non citizen/resident on his AMCAS) it's better to just apply next year because of the chances of acceptance for international vs US applicants.

He could update schools that are open to updates.

 

[gyngyn]

@gyngyn I am not sure how widely effective that might be. Many may would rely on the primary app as source in this and the applicant may already have be set aside in consideration. Atypical and uncommon situation overall

I don't think it would very effective at all. It just wouldn't be lying...

 

[Catalystik]

even when he does get his green card, is he still going to be considered an international applicant for the entire application cycle because that's how he applied initially on AMCAS?

Most likely.

it's better to just apply next year because of the chances of acceptance for international vs US applicants.

Yes.

 

[Xenith]

OP don't lie. AMCAS has an option specifically for people in your situation. It is known as "adjustment of status." At this point you have two options:

1) Indicate "adjustment of status" on AMCAS. This will only allow you to apply to schools that accept international students for this cycle.

2) Wait until you receive the actual green card. Once you get a green card (in your hand) you can apply anywhere. September is too late for this year, so you would have to apply next year.

DO NOT INDICATE THAT YOU ARE A PR RIGHT NOW! That is committing fraud in my opinion (not sure what it means legally.)

Also, I don't buy that you will get your green card in a year unless you are a research professional or from a country with really low number of applications. Might want to revisit the details of your application?

 

[Blackjack7]

As often stated, don't fear taking a gap year. What's the worst that can happen, you get more experience?

 

[Sheemu]

Wow this is more serious than I imagined. Thanks for the responses. The only way for me to change my legal residence now would be to email AMCAS. If I ask them to change it to International then I can at least apply to the schools that accept Canadians this round. But would this be a bad idea, because I would have to admit the mistake I made in the application?

 

[Grace184]

Its better to come clean with AMCAS first, in my opinion, and admit you made an honest mistake (expecting Green card in September) than as @gonnif said be subject to "irreversible ethical violation"- which I assume means being banned from AMCAS services as it would any student who committed an ethical violation that falls into this category . I don't know what else he has to say on this matter, I always feel it's better to start from the top and work down ie updating schools second if need be

 

[Sheemu]

But it's safest to just completely withdrawal the application now and apply next year though right? Since it's still only "Ready for Review" and no school has yet sent me a secondary or asked me for proof of anything, there shouldn't be anything that would prompt an investigation.

edit: thanks everyone

 

[Catalystik]

If you withdraw before verification is complete, you will get your money back, except for the basic fee to apply to one school (~$160).

 

[Xenith]

So OP, how did it work out?

 

[dreamr]

OP im in the same exact boat 🙁 I've been in texas since 2008 and still not classified as a PR. Please lmk how this turned out or what you did, i would be grateful beyond words

 

[Doctoscope]

As someone whose green card process was “expected” by a certain date but was delayed by literally 2 years because of the idiots (yes, there are actually so many stupid paper pushers at the USCIS) at the USCIS, I highly recommend applying when you actually have been approved by an officer. You genuinely don’t know if something will come back to bite you in the ass in this gruel process, whether it’s actually your fault or not. Never underestimate the incompetency of government agencies.