<p>“To be frank: I’m thinking of obtaining California residency for the express purpose of getting affordable yet excellent education at one of the UC schools.”</p>
<p>“How do I increase my chances of being considered a valid resident; and not “there for educational purposes”, which is what I would be.”</p>
<p>" If you’d like to talk me out of this plan entirely on moral or ethical grounds, I invite you to do so. However, please form a polite, cogent argument."</p>
<p>Who needs to argue? You’ve made your own case that you are trying to prove to the colleges that you are exactly what you are claiming not to be. You know that you are following the letter, not the spirit of the expectations of the state schools. </p>
<p>That being said, actually taking a job would “prove” (in your case, imply) that you are not moving to California solely for the purpose of obtaining resident status for the purpose of an education and alleviate any guilt that you might feel for sponging off the good tax payers of California.</p>
<p>As annoying dad points out, you have to prove that you are self-supporting and can pay tuition (even at the state resident rate). And the 366 days needs to be carefully planned so that you are there a year before actually filing an application for admissions.</p>