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So, I've been granted a residency hearing after I appealed the initial rejection. Any tips/suggestions? I've got my vehicle tax, tax returns, and housing leases. As I've never been through this process before, should I also take this as a decent sign of interest, or simply a formality? The residency issues are handled by a different department than admissions, so I imagine this is more a formality than anything else, but if anyone's got a different story or opinion, I'd like to hear it.

grooveholmes wrote:So, I've been granted a residency hearing after I appealed the initial rejection. Any tips/suggestions? I've got my vehicle tax, tax returns, and housing leases. As I've never been through this process before, should I also take this as a decent sign of interest, or simply a formality? The residency issues are handled by a different department than admissions, so I imagine this is more a formality than anything else, but if anyone's got a different story or opinion, I'd like to hear it.

Are you in Indiana by any chance? They're pretty tough.

I'm in NC, which is another tough state to establish residency. The hearing was last week. I was nervous as hell, b/c the fella waiting out there with me is in the pharmacy school and said it was his second time appealing his status. They were also a full hour behind schedule. Anyway, went in, gave them all my paperwork-- NC tax return, voter registration card, leases, driving record, etc. They were very cool about it and received the letter today. However, I think I'm screwed b/c it's so late in the game now. I think I had a moderate chance applying late in the cycle, but now I'm deep into the last rounds... even with the whole 75% rule, I'm not liking my chances.

You need to review the applicable state statute that sets forth the criteria to establish residency for tuition purposes. Study the elements, and bring to your hearing all evidence which supports the enumerated factors set forth in the statute. If you are not prepared, you will lose.
The school has an economic disincentive to find in your favor.
Remember, the system is set up to deny you residency.

Establishing NC residency is a bitch and a half. I had trouble doing it for UG and I had lived in the state my entire life.

My understanding was that you have to prove not only that you are actually a resident, but that you've established residency for more than just the purposes of gaining in-state tuition. I'm not sure how long you've lived there, but the longer the better. I had to provide a list of every time I spent more than 7 consecutive days outside the state for the last 3 (or maybe it was 5?) years, with an explanation of each trip (i.e. vacation, summer camp, family holidays, etc.) If they haven't asked for this, I would have one prepared just in case. (Hopefully you haven't been leaving the state a lot...) Buying property/showing intent to buy property would probably also help, although I realize that may not be an option. I don't really remember everything about the process, but if you have any more questions/can give me more details (either here or via PM) I'd be happy to give you more specific advice.

As to your chances of being admitted in-state this cycle, I didn't apply, so I really don't know. Obviously your chances are astronomically better if you're declared a resident than if you're not.