?between undergrad and med school?

I'm doing a PhD, my tuition is paid for, and I earn about $21k/yr ($25k/yr for 2006-2007 ) by being a graduate student researcher. My program was intended for MSTPs/VSTPs, and thus I take med school courses for my core curriculum.... so on par with most SMPs..just minus the name. Additionally I also take undergrad classes to boost my undergrad GPA when time permits.

Officially, I only work <50% time due to university requirements. In reality, I work 8-12 hours every weekday (average 10 hrs) outside of home, and probably a few extra hours in addition to that at home. I also work on weekends. This work includes actual coursework, studying, clinic time, mentoring, teaching and research.

My classmate who is a masters student probably does 8 hour days, weekends are OK, but has to work another job to pay for school since masters programs are not required to pay for their students. But, she will be done this fall, after a mere 12 months in school, where as I have another 2-3 years AT BEST.

 

If you are doing a SMP, you pretty much don't have the time to work. Instead, you take out a huge loan (total perhaps $50,000) to cover your tuition and living expense, study hard and pray to your deities for the best.