I'm curious how others are paying for the cost of the application and interview process?

I went through the fellowship process last year and spent almost $9000. I put this on my credit card and am still struggling to pay it off with a resident's salary. I'm starting to moonlight in order to pay this off. Are other people stuck in similar predicaments?

Before med school, I worked as a public school teacher for 3 years, while living at home with my parents (in San Francisco)--- cuz I couldn't afford to rent my own place on my salary....I was doing great, partying, shopping, traveling-- all on my salary...and saving very little, but some... put a down payment of $17,500 on some "investment property" out of state..then started med school....
My investment property pays for itself...i.e. the rental income goes directly to the mortgage and expenses...I honestly don't even get a penny at the end of the year from it...but it is building equity...
Now, MS4 and still managed to keep that little savings in the bank... while living of maximum amount of loans...plus my hubby works and we have a kid...not so much savings at all these days, but we do spend alot "living large"...we go everywhere, buy everything, and unfortunately waste a lot....but we are happy living in the "moment"...
Well then came my applications for ERAS... omg..practically killed me...like $3000... it came out of my pre-med school savings....
No credit cards...cuz they will KILL you with the interest... you would be better of taking out a small loan for the application process.. cheaper in the long run....make sure there is no prepayment penelty... just in case you can afford to pay it off early...
If I could afford to, I would try paying down the principle from my loans every year... but I am not generating any income as of yet...
But they say paying an extra payment every year in december will cut the life of your loan by almost 50%...but need money first to be able to pay anything...
my plan is to sell my property when i finish med school...that was my thinking when i purchased it...I brought it for $200K.. but now can probably sell for $350K... so will pay for a significant amount of my student laons which are about $200K

I hope to start residency with a $80K debt as opposed to $200K
Hey good luck

Hey guys, good luck with applying and interviews. I can feel with you that it's a tough time especially since all this stuff costs so much but I guess it's just one of those things that you have to go through during these times!

InNeedofFriends, you're doing great! Good luck with it all.