How are you financing med school admissions?

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How are you paying for med school admissions?

  • Personal Savings

    Votes: 59 31.9%

  • Credit

    Votes: 20 10.8%

  • Family Contributions

    Votes: 32 17.3%

  • Personal Savings + Credit

    Votes: 20 10.8%

  • Personal Savings + Family Contributions

    Votes: 35 18.9%

  • Credit + Family Contributions

    Votes: 9 4.9%

  • Personal Savings + Credit + Family Contributions

    Votes: 10 5.4%
  • Total voters
    185
CyberMaxx

CyberMaxx

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This question has been asked in previous cycles but I'm curious how the majority of SDNers are paying for medical school admissions. Current or past applicants feel free to reply! Pardon me if I missed a category.
 
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I spent less than 600$ for mcat, books, and interviews. It was mine and my parents money, mostly parents.
 
My husband and I both work full-time so we paid for it out of our savings.
 
Working full time, so a combination of that plus graduation gift money (used primarily for primary apps). Feels good to basically pay for it yourself.
 
Savings + miserable, soulsucking job that I hate.
 
Paid via credit cards because I couldn't front the money at the time, but paid of the cards long before matriculation thanks to having a full time job. Also saved up a nice chunk of change to get me through my moving expenses and much of the first semester of med school.
 
Savings from last year and saved all the money I made from my summer internship. Plus FAP helps a lot.
 
Personal Savings + Credit

Working full time + 2 credit cards
 
Graduating early so what would have been my last year's tuition is used to cover all admissions expenses. I guess that's a combination of personal savings (effort to graduate) + family contribution (my college fund)? 😳
 
24 schools

Processing and primary fees: $970
Secondaries: $2122.75
Airfare: $2161.40
Other travel expense: ~$500

Total" $5841.60 and counting...

Mostly out-of-pocket, $1000 on credit, and $600 family contribution.
 
Thankfully qualified for FAP so saved a lot of money.

Paying for travel from my own pocket though.
 
I'm a year out of undergrad and get a pretty small stipend from my current graduate school. Unfortunately, I'm overseas so the process is extra expensive. I only applied to 3 schools to help keep costs low, went to one interview in Sept, was able to get the other 2 interviews near each other so only have to fly back 1 more time.

Fortunately, my small stipend covers our living expenses and my wife makes good money, and I was able to use previous savings to take care of airfare. I had tuition covered by a scholarship for undergrad and worked 2 out of the 4 years as well--so no debt from UG.
 
I answered Personal Savings, but I put it all on my credit card to get the miles and then immediately paid the credit card off.
 
I'm dipping into my personal savings. If I don't get in this year then I have enough left for another cycle but that's it.
 
OCDOCDOCD said:
I'm dipping into my personal savings. If I don't get in this year then I have enough left for another cycle but that's it.
Click to expand...

I might not be remembering correctly but if memory serves you should be just fine this time around.
 
Working and crowd funding (which has been surprisingly successful).
 
I received FAP and will be using that along with personal savings from work now that I've been permanently moved to full time status. Unfortunately, past issues with credit has deemed me unable to get a credit card which would've really helped.
 
Maybe the self starter variety if pre med is over represented on SDN. I don't believe that over a third of med school applicants pay for their entire application and interview process w/o parental assistance.
 
I'm surprised more people aren't putting family contributions. I know that most people at my school rely strictly on their parents to cover the costs of applying.

I guess people who pay themselves are more inclined to answer polls like these.
 
To pay for all of my bills. I have been having to stand on the street corner downtown for the past few years. Even though now that I add up my revenue. I am negative from having to drive there. Standing on the corner does not work well for men.
 
Plue00 said:
I'm surprised more people aren't putting family contributions. I know that most people at my school rely strictly on their parents to cover the costs of applying.

I guess people who pay themselves are more inclined to answer polls like these.
Click to expand...

Yeah probably.
 
Js01051 said:
To pay for all of my bills. I have been having to stand on the street corner downtown for the past few years. Even though now that I add up my revenue. I am negative from having to drive there. Standing on the corner does not work well for men.
Click to expand...

Nah, you just don't know how to work the corner properly 😎
 
SilentSoldier said:
Nah, you just don't know how to work the corner properly 😎
Click to expand...

Nooo I am definitely doing it correctly. I always carry a rag with me and ask the women if it smells like chloroform, that is probably why they never pay me?
 
Js01051 said:
Nooo I am definitely doing it correctly. I always carry a rag with me and ask the women if it smells like chloroform, that is probably why they never pay me?
Click to expand...

Well, it's implied that you are charging a fee for your services so it's standard practice to just take it if they're still out.

To answer the thread: FAP, full time job, and credit. Pretty much living on the borderline to pay for flights and such.
 
SilentSoldier said:
I received FAP and will be using that along with personal savings from work now that I've been permanently moved to full time status. Unfortunately, past issues with credit has deemed me unable to get a credit card which would've really helped.
Click to expand...

Same. It is particularly frustrating when they send you a letter saying 'YOU'VE BEEN PRE-APPROVED' 🙁
 
Plue00 said:
I'm surprised more people aren't putting family contributions. I know that most people at my school rely strictly on their parents to cover the costs of applying.

I guess people who pay themselves are more inclined to answer polls like these.
Click to expand...

Eh, my parents contributed almost all my undergrad expenses, so I feel like I should be able to handle this easily enough.
 
Js01051 said:
Nooo I am definitely doing it correctly. I always carry a rag with me and ask the women if it smells like chloroform, that is probably why they never pay me?
Click to expand...

That's why you ask for the money upfront. Making rookie mistakes, man.
 
parents paid
i tried to keep costs down by staying with current students and taking public transportation when possible
 
Savings, working two jobs and a couple credit cards. To think they were almost paid off at one point makes me want to cry...
 
I own my own online shop. I made $3500 in August 😎
 
From FAP(ping)! 😀

Only have to pay for gas + travel expenses (+ food outings along the way) to interviews

(un)Fortunately, I haven't quite gotten to that point yet. :laugh:


... :cry:
 
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