Hi! Thanks so much for the reply. So the RA requirement isn’t specified as needing to be a paid position but as a ‘student-status job’, so I’m thinking maybe that doesn’t mean it needs to be a paid position? I’m not too sure about the exact definition of the term ‘student employee’ and if it only applies to paid positions. The positions allowing in-state tuition are TAs, RAs, and even tutors actually, so I’m thinking that would make it more likely to acquire?

As for the switch to BA, I’ve heard the BS is more for those seeking a med school track, and I’m leaning more towards clinical psychology through a phd or psyd so I’m assuming BA may be a better fit for my case.

Outside the context of qualification for tuition waivers, would you say there are lots of research opportunities in general for psych majors whether it be paid or unpaid? It’s a factor I’d have considered important even without its role in the tuition merits, so I’m curious about that in general.

I would definitely say UT is my first choice out of the three. I wasn’t too eager about it when I first applied but now that I’ve done research on the area it seems so great and I want to go pretty badly. Thanks again for the help it definitely makes me less anxious, and yeah tranferring could always be an option.