BU residency question on Common App

BU has the following under Residency on the Common App: “If you are not a United States citizen and you do not currently hold a United States Permanent Resident or Immigrant Visa (“Green Card”), is one pending?” They require a YES or a NO even though my kid is a US citizen. Has anyone out there encountered this???

If your kid is a US citizen and the question is required the answer is yes. He’s a citizen. If you check no, that will trigger all kinds of questions which are not relevant.

I read that statement for those who have identified as non-US citizens.
How does this apply to US citizens ? can you leave it blank ?

I tried. There’s no option such as “NA”. With most/all other questions on Common App that don’t apply, the wording is such that a non-answer will suffice. I’ll probably end up contacting BU and asking. Seems very oddly stated! Thanks.

Are you sure that your student didn’t inadvertently answer “no” to the “are you a US citizen” question?

I suspect that you answered another question that triggered this one, like that he is not a citizen or has a high school or address out of the US.

I checked. She replied YES to question of US citizenship. This is just bizarre…

Can’t figure it out. Have gone over all questions in every section. She correctly entered that both high schools she has attended are in the US. Said she is a US citizen.

Daughter can’t figure it out either. She contacted BU and they said to contact Common App?? Daughter just contacted Common App via the online report issues box but is unsure how long this could take for them to address the issue? Anyone get any further info on how to answer the question? I think if students answer YES or NO to this question (and they are citizens) it could cause issues – there needs to be a n/a box or make it an optional question.

I am confused as to why the US Citizen question is not in the residency box BEFORE this question (instead of being in the “other” section). If it was set up with the US Citizen question in residency, then if a student answers YES to US Citizen the other question should NOT populate.

Please update thread as anyone finds a resolution or speaks to someone who can help. Thanks!

Hi, I just noticed today that the Residency issue seems to have been resolved. Not sure how. My daughter still had not answered (since neither response applies to her). Today the green check mark appeared next to the Residency tab. I assume it’s fixed for you as well?

Yes, it is fixed. My daughter wrote to them earlier today and they wrote back and told her they had fixed the issue - it is now an optional question. Good luck!