Getting through med school without debt?

[kk123]

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[Lucca]

Being insanely rich.

 

[TheWeeIceMan]

Military, NHSC, independently wealthy applicants, and a select few that get full rides with amazing applications.

 

[WillburCobb]

Full ride at my school for agreeing to practice FM for at least 5 years in the middle of nowhere, ND.


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[deleted407021]

HPSP. Work cancelable loans. Alaska.

 

[Lucca]

Alaska.

Please elaborate. Should I be buying a coat and packing my snow boots?

 

[deleted407021]

Please elaborate. Should I be buying a coat and packing my snow boots?

Some towns up there will forgive your loans if you practice for some time. Same goes for most all states. To answer your question; you should be running towards Miami with all haste.

 

[sliceofbread136]

Living in texas helps

 

[darkjedi]

Scholarships and the MTSP programs are probably the most likely scenario. A very small number of people may have saved up some money from a lucrative career.

 

[sbEMT33]

low tuition and a good job

 

[xroc]

I know people who have gotten a full-tuition scholarship and lived at home.

 

[sazerac]

Save up during a first career. Pay cash for med school when you are older.

 

[kk123]

I've read a little about NHSC. Does your residency count towards the years of service that you work in exchange for them paying for medical school? I know they want people who are going into primary care so could you work for four years as primary care doctor and then go back and specialize in something additional,such a neurology, later?

 

[NontradCA]

HPSP. Everyone should consider this.

 

[TheWeeIceMan]

HPSP. Everyone should consider this.

They say that you shouldn't do medicine if you could be just as happy doing something else. I think the same thing applies to joining the military.

The best way to get through med school debt free is to jump in a time machine and travel to a time where you could pay for college/med school by working 2 days a week bagging groceries over the summer.

 

[NontradCA]

They say that you shouldn't do medicine if you could be just as happy doing something else. I think the same thing applies to joining the military.

The best way to get through med school debt free is to jump in a time machine and travel to a time where you could pay for college/med school by working 2 days a week bagging groceries over the summer.

Well I am a little biased, but everyone in general should consider the military. I don't believe that "it's not for everyone" bit, because there are so many different personalities in there and everyone will be molded, so to speak. When it comes to medicine, there's a hierarchy anyway and you will always have someone to answer to.

 

[TheWeeIceMan]

Well I am a little biased, but everyone in general should consider the military. I don't believe that "it's not for everyone" bit, because there are so many different personalities in there and everyone will be molded, so to speak. When it comes to medicine, there's a hierarchy anyway and you will always have someone to answer to.

I definitely don't agree with that, but there is certainly something to be said about not having student loans.

 

[NontradCA]

I definitely don't agree with that, but there is certainly something to be said about not having student loans.

No student loans, astounding patient population. With pre meds supposedly being altruistic and full of principle, it seems as though the community is well suited to the military.

 

[TheWeeIceMan]

No student loans, astounding patient population. With pre meds supposedly being altruistic and full of principle, it seems as though the community is well suited to the military.

Well, from what I hear, there are a few downsides too.

 

[NontradCA]

Well, from what I hear, there are a few downsides too.

There are downsides to everything. There's a big downside to being 200k in debt as well.

A GMO tour isn't the worst thing in the world. And if you go let's say infantry for instance, it helps with residency apps. Most people will have to move for residency anyway so moving shouldn't be a huge factor.

 

[TheWeeIceMan]

There are downsides to everything. There's a big downside to being 200k in debt as well.

A GMO tour isn't the worst thing in the world. And if you go let's say infantry for instance, it helps with residency. Most people will have to move for residency anyway so moving shouldn't be a huge factor.

Most people will come out ahead just taking on the debt and not doing HPSP. I'm sure not having any debt takes away some stress, but I don't think anyone should do HPSP for financial reasons.

I wouldn't equate a GMO tour with moving for residency. There is a lot more to consider with doing a GMO tour than just moving.

It sounds like you are making the right choice for your situation by doing the HPSP, but I can't get on board with telling all pre-meds to consider joining the military. Not by a long shot.

 

[TooMuchResearch]

Well I am a little biased, but everyone in general should consider the military. I don't believe that "it's not for everyone" bit, because there are so many different personalities in there and everyone will be molded, so to speak. When it comes to medicine, there's a hierarchy anyway and you will always have someone to answer to.

No student loans, astounding patient population. With pre meds supposedly being altruistic and full of principle, it seems as though the community is well suited to the military.

It's not for everyone. Check out the mil med forums here. And it isn't a great financial proposition for those planning on higher paying specialties. Low acuity, good health pt population is often cited as a major downside to mil med residency training.

 

[NontradCA]

Most people will come out ahead just taking on the debt and not doing HPSP. I'm sure not having any debt takes away some stress, but I don't think anyone should do HPSP for financial reasons.

I wouldn't equate a GMO tour with moving for residency. There is a lot more to consider with doing a GMO tour than just moving.

It sounds like you are making the right choice for your situation by doing the HPSP, but I can't get on board with telling all pre-meds to consider joining the military. Not by a long shot.

I'm not doing HPSP. I already served and the VA had done very good by me. I'm not telling them TO join, but just consider it.

 

[NontradCA]

It's not for everyone. Check out the mil med forums here. And it isn't a great financial proposition for those planning on higher paying specialties. Low acuity, good health pt population is often cited as a major downside to mil med residency training.

A lot of training in subspecialty residencies is rotated out, which isn't necessarily a bad thing. They still get the training they need- it's ACGME accredited. The issue you talk about comes as an attending, in which case a lot of physicians moonlight to keep up their skills.

 

[TooMuchResearch]

A lot of training in subspecialty residencies is rotated out, which isn't necessarily a bad thing. They still get the training they need- it's ACGME accredited. The issue you talk about comes as an attending, in which case a lot of physicians moonlight to keep up their skills.

My understanding is the lack of procedures is an issue for residents too. It's been discussed in the forums here.

 

[amad01]

Have you heard of anyone getting through medical school without debt? (without any help from parents)

If so, how did they do it?

My wife works for my state school's hospital.. they have a deal where a spouse gets half off tuition.. if I can get into my state school, we will be able to pay monthly cash payments for the remaining half of the in-state tuition... please pray for me 😉

 

[NontradCA]

My understanding is the lack of procedures is an issue for residents too. It's been discussed in the forums here.

You should do some reading.

http://forums.studentdoctor.net/sea...ncy+quality&o=date&c[title_only]=1&c[node]=72

 

[markmark]

Scholarships and the MTSP programs are probably the most likely scenario. A very small number of people may have saved up some money from a lucrative career.

Rich parents and trust funds are far and away the most likely scenario.

 

[derpie_sk8r_boy]

Well I am a little biased, but everyone in general should consider the military. I don't believe that "it's not for everyone" bit, because there are so many different personalities in there and everyone will be molded, so to speak. When it comes to medicine, there's a hierarchy anyway and you will always have someone to answer to.

Try to say that to a teenager who's dreamed about joining the USMC, for about a quarter of his life; gets in a concussion just a week before shipping off, then later finds out he can never join the armed forces again. >.<

#FML

~Thumbs_Up~

 

[NontradCA]

Try to say that to a teenager who's dreamed about joining the USMC, for about a quarter of his life; gets in a concussion just a week before shipping off, then later finds out he can never join the armed forces again. >.<

#FML

~Thumbs_Up~

Well, now you can just focus on being a physician 🙂.

 

[organdonor]

Rich Parents
Military scholarships (note this has a significant service agreement)
Primary care in underserved area scholarships (note this has a significant service agreement)

Someone above mentioned saving up money in a career then paying cash for medical school?? who in the world has 160,000 cash laying around and living expenses X 4 years on top of that?

 

[crimsonkid85]

Well, you can't choose rich parents, unfortunately.
But you can choose to do a MSTP program.
And you can choose to be productive enough to win a Soros fellowship. 🙂

 

[derpie_sk8r_boy]

Well, now you can just focus on being a physician 🙂.

~Crossing his fingers~

Hopefully by the time I'm done with my undergraduate studies and it's time to apply for med school, my noggin will be good enough to go into the armed forces. :3 Me like-y the idea of the MD/PhD program at Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences.

Still don't know what branch I'd go into, though. I love hearing the amazing stories and crazy doodoo vets have gone through. I postulate that the HOOAH/OORAH boys and gals have more interesting stories than the Chair Force. But, I have four years to find that out, so that can wait.

I'm also superbly into research... Every time I'm not allowed to get into research at the med school near me, I threaten them with a labor union strikes and labor agitation. I'm great at manipulating working class and proletariat types. 🙂 So, that's why I want to do an MD AND PhD program, so I can do research. I want to die having contributed something of positive/progressive historical significance for humanity, whether that's finding a cure for AIDS or developing a new vaccine; be a great physician; volunteer for a deployment with MSF; contribute to national necessity/nationalistic duty; and a whoooooooooooooole bunch of other stuff.

Until then, I'm going to concentrate on my upcoming undergrad years and have an amazing time. :3

 

[GreenBlade]

Have you heard of anyone getting through medical school without debt? (without any help from parents)

If so, how did they do it?

1. Enlist in the military for 4 long, terrible years. *Make sure you enlist in Texas*

2. Get out, use Post 9-11 GI Bill for undergrad and you get a housing & book stipend.

3. After you finish UG, apply to Medical School and use the Hazelwood Exemption to cover tuition.

Hopefully you saved at least $20,000 during your time on Active Duty. This is a way to be somewhat debt free.

 

[Espadaleader]

I agree with @NontradCA. As I understand it, he is not telling everyone to commission and do the HPSP but simply suggesting that people objectively look at the program. I was certain I was not going to do HPSP before I applied but I still throughly researched the program because it is a full ride to medical school + stipend + stable and interesting career. I did not decide to pursue the program, but I think its nothing wrong with objectively looking into it.

 

[goft20]

Work part time at a strip club.

 

[solitarius]

1. Enlist in the military for 4 long, terrible years. *Make sure you enlist in Texas*

???

If you go to school in Texas, all the more reason not to go into the military.

 

[GreenBlade]

???

If you go to school in Texas, all the more reason not to go into the military.

If you enlist through Texas not only do you get the GI Bill ($37k or free tuition plus housing stipend) you also get the Hazelwood Exemption (150 free semester hours to any state school). That's what I did and i'm doing just fine.

 

[solitarius]

I guess my point is that at $17 K tuition, is debt accrued from a Texas MD school reasonable enough to avoid the military option? (yes, I personally think it is for myself)

People who are going to Tufts or Columbia have a stronger incentive to go military.

 

[GreenBlade]

I guess my point is that at $17 K tuition, is debt accrued from a Texas MD school reasonable enough to avoid the military option? (yes, I personally think it is for myself)

People who are going to Tufts or Columbia have a stronger incentive to go military.

Yes but $17k * 4 is is $68k. Plus UG...shoots you well into the $100k+ range. Then pile on interest, a mortgage, a car note, not making much as an intern and resident. It leaves you in significant debt. But to each his own I guess.

 

[Spitphire]

I believe there's a North Carolina med school who's in-state tuition is around 4-5k. Well, that what Princeton Review says. It would definitely be possible to be debt free if tuition was that low.

 

[TheWeeIceMan]

Yes but $17k * 4 is is $68k. Plus UG...shoots you well into the $100k+ range. Then pile on interest, a mortgage, a car note, not making much as an intern and resident. It leaves you in significant debt. But to each his own I guess.

In the 100k+ range is really nothing to worry about. Certainly not enough to consider the military (unless you have a desire to serve).

 

[organdonor]

~Crossing his fingers~

Hopefully by the time I'm done with my undergraduate studies and it's time to apply for med school, my noggin will be good enough to go into the armed forces. :3 Me like-y the idea of the MD/PhD program at Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences.

Still don't know what branch I'd go into, though. I love hearing the amazing stories and crazy doodoo vets have gone through. I postulate that the HOOAH/OORAH boys and gals have more interesting stories than the Chair Force. But, I have four years to find that out, so that can wait.

I'm also superbly into research... Every time I'm not allowed to get into research at the med school near me, I threaten them with a labor union strikes and labor agitation. I'm great at manipulating working class and proletariat types. 🙂 So, that's why I want to do an MD AND PhD program, so I can do research. I want to die having contributed something of positive/progressive historical significance for humanity, whether that's finding a cure for AIDS or developing a new vaccine; be a great physician; volunteer for a deployment with MSF; contribute to national necessity/nationalistic duty; and a whoooooooooooooole bunch of other stuff.

Until then, I'm going to concentrate on my upcoming undergrad years and have an amazing time. :3

As you correctly stated, you have years to get this all figured out. However, just to plant the seed in your brain, most if not all MD/PhD programs provide tuition and a stipend. So if you get intoa an MD/PhD program it's free even without going into the military.

 

[moisne]

Get back to me in 4 years. I am going to attempt to do this whole debt free. :/

 

[knv2u]

MSTP, merit/possibly need based scholarships combined, military subsidy, and there are programs that incentivize going into family medicine or internal medicine (the HHS website should have links to a few of the programs that exist).

 

[bulldogmed]

There are some people at my school that have spouses that work for the university's affiliated hospital. They get 1/2 price tuition, and they have someone to help provide for living expenses. Presumably, with that kind of situation, you could get through school with under 100k in debt and pay it off during residency.

 

[navigator]

Well, you can't choose rich parents, unfortunately.
But you can choose to do a MSTP program.
And you can choose to be productive enough to win a Soros fellowship. 🙂

*necromancing this thread*
When 29/30 current 2017 Soros fellows are from prestige-heavy institutions like Harvard, Yale, Princeton, MIT, Stanford, Berkeley, and UCSF, it doesn't exactly seem like productivity will get you anywhere. This is a fellowship that favors university pedigree above background unfortunately.