International Student definition

[ucbalumnus]

@Andy280

Let’s say there is an American Citizen who was at California till Sophomore year.
Then her parents moved to Australia for job.
Now she does Junior and Senior year from Australia.
So when she applies to UCs or Harvard/Yale, is she considered an International Student and compared with other International Student or is considered a California student and compared with other Californians.

As a US citizen, the student will be considered a domestic US student, but with international high school records and without any state residency for state universities.

@Andy280

And would admission be easier applying as International or as a California Student if student would want to move back to California in Senior year?

For FAFSA-dependent students (which is almost all students going to college soon after high school graduation), California residency requires both the student and parent to satisfy the residency tests. However, the AB540 provision for students who graduate high school in California with sufficient school attendance in California can give waiver of non-resident tuition if the student would otherwise be classified as a non-California resident. More information here: Welcome | Understanding residency for purposes of UC tuition . Other states may have different rules.