<p>If I plan on going away for college to a private university in the north, do my pre-med, blah blah... but down the road, in four years, can I come back to my home state and apply to a public medical school that gives preference to residents of my home state, as an in-state student?</p>
<p>As long as your parents are still in your home state paying taxes, I believe you will be considered in-state there.</p>
<p>It depends, each place has their own rules/laws. In some I don't think they consider you a resident unless you stay in state for more half than year.</p>