<p>You may want to check if you can use your credits from Northwestern. Obviously the caliber is not the question, but there may be a limit to how long a gap can occur and still apply credit from courses taken. I know you are at the beginning of your plan, and you are planning for as much as three years as a Bison, but that may be your next step- align your courses and make sure there is no “statute of limitations” (7 years? 10 years? let’s hope it’s longer!) before they age out.</p>
<p>As a Philosophy major, you could put in your statement of purpose that the reason you are applying is to better understand the ethics of gaming the California Residency rules through the study of philosophy. Wouldn’t that be compelling? ;)</p>