Affording living costs for dental school

[predentperson]

I know that loans are probably a no brainer for dental school tuition, unless someone has very generous parents. However, for those who take some time off after undergrad to work first, is it possible to save enough to survive for four years, such that you will not need loans for living costs? Not being able to have a source of income (because there is no time for a part time job) during dental school feels a bit daunting to me. I'm not wanting to live a luxury life as a dental student, but I at least want a decently comfortable life.

I hear of dental students who go on vacations for their breaks, saying that is how they can afford to keep their sanity for their four years. Does it really make a difference? Like enough to be worth having those costs add to the amount of debt owed after graduation?

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[allantois]

Living costs are anywhere around 20-30k+ per year. Can you save for that?
Living costs are really nowhere as much as dental school tuition and fees.
It can make a huge difference in your quality of life, how expensive the area of your dental school is. Don't kid yourself about wanting to live someplace like NYC - you are going to be a professional student, hard pressed on time. Better live somewhere cheap and have money to travel and whatnot, than throw everything at high COL area rent.

 

[predentperson]

Living costs are anywhere around 20-30k+ per year. Can you save for that?
Living costs are really nowhere as much as dental school tuition and fees.
It can make a huge difference in your quality of life, how expensive the area of your dental school is. Don't kid yourself about wanting to live someplace like NYC - you are going to be a professional student, hard pressed on time. Better live somewhere cheap and have money to travel and whatnot, than throw everything at high COL area rent.

$40k may be the absolute most I can save before matriculation, and that is being optimistic. Unlikely to get me through all four years, even if living like a college student?

 

[CanadianGurl]

$40k may be the absolute most I can save before matriculation, and that is being optimistic. Unlikely to get me through all four years, even if living like a college student?

If you’re living like a college student, should be good IF you’re using public transport instead of a car. Let’s pretend you use $500 a month for rent (and this is middle of the pack, a little on the cheaper side)—you’re paying $6000/year ($24000 for all four years). Can you personally live on $4000 a year?

 

[allantois]

I wouldn’t worry about saving for living costs during dental school - focus on getting into least expensive school tuition-wise.

 

[predentperson]

If you’re living like a college student, should be good IF you’re using public transport instead of a car. Let’s pretend you use $500 a month for rent (and this is middle of the pack, a little on the cheaper side)—you’re paying $6000/year ($24000 for all four years). Can you personally live on $4000 a year?

I was able to live on roughly $10k a year as an undergrad, but that was a bit stretching it. Now thinking about it, that was also for a 9 month school year, not year round.

 

[predentperson]

I wouldn’t worry about saving for living costs during dental school - focus on getting into least expensive school tuition-wise.

Yeah, ultimately I hope to choose the school with the lowest cost of attendance.

 

[CanadianGurl]

I was able to live on roughly $10k a year as an undergrad, but that was a bit stretching it. Now thinking about it, that was also for a 9 month school year, not year round.

I was able to live on less than $5000, and my school was all year round. With that said, I am extremely frugal, and had various part time jobs. Its possible, again, all dependent on the city.

 

[dent_wannabe]

I was able to live on less than $5000, and my school was all year round. With that said, I am extremely frugal, and had various part time jobs. Its possible, again, all dependent on the city.

How do you live on just $5000 a year? Or is that just the amount of support your parents gave you, and you earn more to help make ends meet from your part time job?

I personally am also trying to save up for dental school. I now have a good paying engineering job for my gap year, but I continue to live on a student budget and put away 3/4 of my monthly take home pay. Still, I find myself spending a little over $1000 a month. I also prefer not to take out loans if at all possible.

 

[CanadianGurl]

How do you live on just $5000 a year? Or is that just the amount of support your parents gave you, and you earn more to help make ends meet from your part time job?

I personally am also trying to save up for dental school. I now have a good paying engineering job for my gap year, but I continue to live on a student budget and put away 3/4 of my monthly take home pay. Still, I find myself spending a little over $1000 a month. I also prefer not to take out loans if at all possible.

Without rent and tuition, I can easily do under $5000 a year (and that includes the money I make with my two part time jobs). I have a small appetite, and all public transportation within my city is free for students. I basically only use the $5000 for school supplies, text books, groceries, social outings, grooming, miscellaneous costs. Couponing, GROUPONing, rebates and student discounts are your best friends.