Moving to a state to set up residency and increase my chanes of enrolling in flagship state university?

[Brackis]

Cliff notes:
-From MA, MA state schools suck
-Taking year off, looking to move away to see someplace new
-Liked UVA, UM, and Cal when I looked at them. Realize that my chances of getting in are slim as an out of stater

Questions:
Minimum length of residency before I am a legal resident and can gain in state advantage in admission process and tuiton costs?

I was also thinking of relocating to outside the US to help me get into some of the top private universities as well (since my grades are mediocare but I my extracurriculars are exception), but staying in the states is ultimately easier.

Edit: I plan on getting an apartment/room and becoming employed in a state starting this summer

 

[Gibsons]

Might vary with the state. ISTR 2 years for some states though.. not sure about that at all.

Will need to move then get drivers license, register to vote and yes, pay state taxes (if any) asap.

 

[FleshLight]

Seems like too much of a hassle. And what if you don't get in? You're screwed out of a few years of your life and a decent amount of $$

 

[Excelsior]

Umass isnt good?

 

[DaveSimmons]

Probably at least a year, I think it was that here in WA last time I looked. Also, you may need to get a job, rent an apartment, get a driver's license etc. to establish you've really moved there and aren't just passing through.

At which point you'll still need good grades and/or test scores to get into a good school. Here in WA the UW is turning away real residents because enrollment has outpaced state funding.

 

[MacBaine]

Most schools will not allow you to enroll as an in-state student if you move to the state for the sole reason of education.

 

[Brackis]

Originally posted by: FleshLight
Seems like too much of a hassle. And what if you don't get in? You're screwed out of a few years of your life and a decent amount of $$

I don't think about it that way... I plan on leaving for a year anyways, and apply to colleges, so why not up my chances at solid state school in the process? I have a very decent chance of getting in as it is and the tuiton cost is a great bonus too. If all else fails I go to a private college and be glad I got to spend some time in a diff part of the country.

 

[shopbruin]

UC's residency requirements

don't go to berkeley.

 

[Brackis]

Originally posted by: freesia39
UC's residency requirements

don't go to berkeley.

Thanks for that link, looks somewhat out of the question now.