I would imagine a non-res student could get in quicker as there would not have to be the added expense of room and board for said student. I can't be certain though. It depends on the center itself and who is making the decisions.
I am not sure about which is quicker but I would say the non residential student as there is a waiting list to live in their residential facilities and they have a screening process. T may not be as picky about someone not living as a resident.
I cant really gove you an answer,but what I can give you is a way to a solution, that is you have to find the anglde that you relate to or peaks your interest. A good paper is one that people get drawn into because it reaches them ln some way.As for me WW11 to me, I think of the holocaust and the effect it had on the survivors, their families and those who stood by and did nothing until it was too late.