I’m in high school living in Wisconsin. My dream school is UVA in Charlottesville, Virginia. However, it’s very hard to get in out of state and I’m worried I won’t get in.
Scores/EC’s aside, if I take a gap year/live in Charlottesville for a year and establish in-state residency, will this increase my chances of being accepted?
Also, if I do this, when do I apply? High school or after my gap year? Thanks!
That isn’t how residency works for getting instate tuition. http://www.schev.edu/index/tuition-aid/in-state-residency
You have a great state flagship in Madison!
There are a few ways to do this, but you can’t be “just a gap year.” You have to work enough to support yourself financially. The other possibilities are niche and implausible.
My father went to UVA. I went. My kid is there now. I definitely think it is a great school and encourage people to consider applying there. But you are right, it is very difficult to get in from out of state. I don’t think it would be worth risking a gap year in Charlottesville. That would still not guarantee you admission. Go ahead and apply, and make it the best application that you can. Communicate your particular interest in UVA. Be very clear about why UVA and about what you have to offer to UVA. And…
Be open to other options. UVA is a great school in a great place. But there are many great schools out there.
Why is UVA your dream school?
UVA is a very good university. It is among the best of the public universities in the US. However, The University of Wisconsin is also a very good university, and is also among the best public universities in the US.
I don’t see why you would prefer one over the other (other than which one gives you in-state tuition and in-state chances of acceptance).
Establishing in-state residency is very difficult in most states in the US.
There’s a saying, “if it was that easy everyone would be doing it”. People would be moving all over the country and from different countries. Not worth the time and expense and as stated your not understanding what establishing residency is. But it’s good your asking questions and educating yourself before doing this. How about reaching out to the school or just look on their website to see what the definition is?