<p>Once you start at a school, it is a major event to transfer, and you can lose whatever fin aid you have as a freshman. So you are kinda stuck. Also if your grades are not great, you are kinda stuck if you want to transfer to a selective school. So the bait is on the freshman hook. You upperclassmen are just extras to fill in those who did up and leave. </p>
<p>I would not depend on stories others are telling. They are not always reliable. My friend was assured up, down and all around, how her son could get in state tuition living with her sister in another state. Nope. Had to swallow the big amount for OOS. Maybe there are kids who are able to slip through the system but he did not. Admissions pounced on him and billed him for OOS and that was the end of that. He transferred to his own state school the next year.</p>
<p>Now if your parents are moving into the state, that is a reason that usually gives you in state status . Do check carefully and do not take any chances. With all of the hoopla about illegal immigrants getting in state college rates, some states, and Texas looks like a prime candidate, are really getting out the magnifying glass to catch all OOSers.</p>