655 bucks!

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Disco

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My residency program is telling me I need to take Step 3 sometime this year. I just found out the cost: $655!!
Seriously, IVE HAD IT. I'm about to pull my hair out. First it's Step 2 CS, which was complete and total horse$h!te. I spent over 1200 dollars that I didnt have, just proving that I can speaky-de-english. Then several grand on interviews (While my college friends who have "real jobs" got wined/dined/reimbursed for every interview they ever had). Now, after finally being lucky enough to make minimum wage ($1300 per paycheck / "160"hrs =8.125 dollars/hour), I get wrongholed again (no loob) and have to pay a WEEKS worth of my salary on a flippin test--a computer test at that! Do I get to take the computer home with me as a souvenir? I mean, where does this money go! (a rhetorical question, I dont want any smart answers).
THIS IS WRONG. THIS IS WRONG. How do we get so screwed? Yes, I'm complaining. If anybody even dares to say "You're still going to be among the highest paid jobs", they can go straight to the produce section of their local grocer, take the large end of an eggplant and put it where the sun dont shine.
When does this BS end? Enough is enough. Nobody should spend a WEEKS wages just to take a computer test that has little relevance to their chosen field.
 
Normally, I would call complainers out, but I agree 100% with you.

Just because we can afford to pay $655, does not mean we should.
 
McGillGrad said:
Just because we can afford to pay $655, does not mean we should.
Click to expand...

I can't really afford the $655, even given my meager lifestyle. I'm glad that we get reimbursed some of this by our hospital.
 
You could live in South Dakota where Step 3 costs $805 - the most in any state.
 
"wrongholed"

:laugh::laugh::laugh:

Disco said:
My residency program is telling me I need to take Step 3 sometime this year. I just found out the cost: $655!!
Seriously, IVE HAD IT. I'm about to pull my hair out. First it's Step 2 CS, which was complete and total horse$h!te. I spent over 1200 dollars that I didnt have, just proving that I can speaky-de-english. Then several grand on interviews (While my college friends who have "real jobs" got wined/dined/reimbursed for every interview they ever had). Now, after finally being lucky enough to make minimum wage ($1300 per paycheck / "160"hrs =8.125 dollars/hour), I get wrongholed again (no loob) and have to pay a WEEKS worth of my salary on a flippin test--a computer test at that! Do I get to take the computer home with me as a souvenir? I mean, where does this money go! (a rhetorical question, I dont want any smart answers).
THIS IS WRONG. THIS IS WRONG. How do we get so screwed? Yes, I'm complaining. If anybody even dares to say "You're still going to be among the highest paid jobs", they can go straight to the produce section of their local grocer, take the large end of an eggplant and put it where the sun dont shine.
When does this BS end? Enough is enough. Nobody should spend a WEEKS wages just to take a computer test that has little relevance to their chosen field.
Click to expand...
 
Blade28 said:
Not for a while.

Step 3: around $700
Loupes: around $900
State license: around $900 (if you use FCVS)
DEA number: around $500
Click to expand...

Don't forget your board exams for specialty of choice. Mine are somewhere around $2500.

I don't know where the money for step III goes. It can't cost that much to pay a company to have a bank of unreliable computers set up and pay a couple of employees to sit around and not really know what is going on. Of course, they also have to pay for the test administration people to sit around and not answer our calls or emails when the inevitable problems arise, and to take 2 months to get our permits back to us after we send them in. Maybe they pay people to write questions?
 
I just finished the Step III thing about two months ago and am now in the process of getting my state license and DEA stuff. I'm was lucky enough to get a little cash from my grandma or I'd be in serious financial trouble. Honestly, just put it on the credit card and pay it back when you can. It frustrates me to no end but I don't see any signs of change in sight. So I just keep a fresh supply of SurgiLube lying around on a PRN basis.
 
Wait until you take boards, a few thousand for that pleasure. And meanwhile the people who write the questions? Guess what that's where your money is going. They get together in five-star hotels with all expenses paid for a week or so. Not to write the questions even, just to schmooze because you're paying for it.
 
THANK YOU! I thought was the only one feeling the ludicrous-ness (is this a word?) of the cost of all these exams... They are just waaaaaaay to expensive. It's really unfair. But then again what do we do? Not really a choice
 
Pir8DeacDoc said:
Honestly, just put it on the credit card and pay it back when you can. It frustrates me to no end but I don't see any signs of change in sight. So I just keep a fresh supply of SurgiLube lying around on a PRN basis.
Click to expand...

Exactly what I have to do! 🙁
 
Here's an idea: Get a corporate credit card as an MD (one of the few professions where you can classify yourself as a corporation based on your title). Make sure it has reward points (or airfare points, or whatever). Charge any business/professional fees on this card only (don't use it for anything else to kill your credit). When you file taxes for the year, deduct these expenses. At the end of residency, cash in your points and go on vacation. When you get your attending job, pay off the card after your first day of work...
 
well I'm glad I'm not the only one who gets tired of the wrongholing that we endure.
I just needed to commiserate. Thanks everyone.
Maybe I'll just sell a kidney....
 
NinerNiner999 said:
Here's an idea: Get a corporate credit card as an MD (one of the few professions where you can classify yourself as a corporation based on your title). Make sure it has reward points (or airfare points, or whatever). Charge any business/professional fees on this card only (don't use it for anything else to kill your credit). When you file taxes for the year, deduct these expenses. At the end of residency, cash in your points and go on vacation. When you get your attending job, pay off the card after your first day of work...
Click to expand...

Unfortunately, the Steps and interview expenses are not deductible. Neither is your initial medical license. Specialty board fees would be, however.

Ed
 
My professor actually told me, " (My name), you are a bright student. DO you want my advice on how you can be the best doctor you can be?... Marry RICH!" Hahaha : )
I console myself with the thiking that med is just about delayed return of ivestments...it's gonna come...it's gona come...and lord help us if we went i here for the money anyway...
 
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