State schools and residency

[intextrovert]

I'm applying to English PhD programs this fall, and I noticed that on a thread somewhere, someone suggested in passing that non-residency in state schools could be a more important factor than I realized. Worrisome to me, considering the vast majority of the programs on my list are in state schools in states that aren't Louisiana (where I'm a resident)! So how important of a factor is that? Enough that I should consider more private schools, even though I'm dreaming of Virginia and Michigan?

[JennyFieldsOriginal]

From what I've been told, sometimes specific departments at state schools can get more funding from the university if they take people who went to the institution for undergraduate work, or are residents of the state.

That said, my professors have told me in no uncertain terms that there's no way an under-qualified applicant from in-state is going to be admitted to at the expense of a candidate from outside the state who is a great fit for the program.

Hope that helps!

[sustain81080]

I'm applying to English PhD programs this fall, and I noticed that on a thread somewhere, someone suggested in passing that non-residency in state schools could be a more important factor than I realized. Worrisome to me, considering the vast majority of the programs on my list are in state schools in states that aren't Louisiana (where I'm a resident)! So how important of a factor is that? Enough that I should consider more private schools, even though I'm dreaming of Virginia and Michigan?

What usually happens is that the funding packages paid by Graduate Division, your school, whatever, only pay the amount of in-state tuition. What happens (at least in some of the UCs) is that if your department wants you, they'll pay the difference in tuition for the first year. During that time, you're expected to establish in-state residency. If you don't, you can get into some serious financial trouble with your program.

But like the other poster said, they won't bring in an under-qualified in-state resident over a well qualified out-of-state applicant.