Everyone seems nice enough here, but the paperwork...

Everyone seems nice enough here, but the paperwork required for this place is...extreme. I've attended two other colleges before, and I have NEVER had to submit this much paperwork for anything I've ever done. I honestly thought it was just a crazy admissions process, but it just keeps going.

Prime example (after admission): The residency paperwork. I can understand needing several of the things they ask for, but not ALL of them. (So many trees have probably died due to all the paper involved.) I'm hoping it's a SC state law thing, but if it is, we really need to address this with government officials.

You have to submit copies of:
*Completed residency application, with a notarized affidavit for your domicile. (I can't find anything online about them having a Notary, so I guess I'll have to call them or track one down locally.)

*Based on the residency application, it looks like if your spouse/guardian provides more than half of your support in the 12 months prior to your application, they require their signature be notarized as well.

***The best part about the whole "needing your spouse/guardian" info on everything, is that your residency is then based on THEIR residency (or at least that's what it looks like). Better hope they're an organized person, because you're going to need a copy of EVERYTHING about them. Just keep reading.

***Note: If you just said "Well I'm financially independent, I don't need all that extra paperwork", you would be wrong. Even if you ARE financially independent, you'll still need a guardian or spouse's tax return anyway. Hopefully that will be the only thing you have to get from them. Still sucks for people with estranged family though.

*Copy of lease, rental agreement, or closing documents
*Federal and state income tax returns (for self AND spouse or guardian)
*All your documentation for any income. So, W2 forms, 1099 forms, most recent pay stub showing year to date income, for either yourself and/or your spouse/guardian
*Vehicle registrations for any cars you and your spouse/guardian own
*Copies of your license, as well as your spouse/guardian

In the event your application is rejected, you'll need to reprint all of that documentation to resubmit it. I know they don't want to be responsible for documents, but with this much stuff, I feel like they should at least let you off the hook for some of it.

Keep in mind that my experience so far with the people has been great! I'm sure when I call to ask about this litany of requirements, they will be very nice and helpful. Maybe the classes will be wonderful too once I finally get to that point.

I guess my best tip to offer people is to start gathering all this paperwork when you apply. It might save you some time later. Also...maybe invest in a scanner/printer. You'll need it.