how do you afford it all?

[icebrat001]

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Is it just me, or do I feel like the poorest person on these boards.
Didn't even go to school Friday because I didn't have bus money.

Anyway, my question to everyone is how do you afford it?

You guys apply to 15 plus schools and then fly to all these interviews? I just dont understand how we are supposed to pay for all that.

I am a disadvantaged student, and I am aware that I can take the MCAT for a discounted rate as well as apply to 11 schools for free. however, when application time comes, I am fearful that I will not get accepted to a school for lack of funds and lack of ability to get funds if i let them know I am disadvantaged.

Any advice?

 

[stinkycheese]

Credit cards and parents. Sucks, but if you can't find a way to pay for interviews, can you find a way to pay for school? You'e got to deal with going into debt, even if it means credit card debt, for this process.

 

[tesla123]

Is it just me, or do I feel like the poorest person on these boards.
Didn't even go to school Friday because I didn't have bus money.

Anyway, my question to everyone is how do you afford it?

You guys apply to 15 plus schools and then fly to all these interviews? I just dont understand how we are supposed to pay for all that.

I am a disadvantaged student, and I am aware that I can take the MCAT for a discounted rate as well as apply to 11 schools for free. however, when application time comes, I am fearful that I will not get accepted to a school for lack of funds and lack of ability to get funds if i let them know I am disadvantaged.

Any advice?

I had similar concerns when I applied. You should know that situations like yours are not uncommon. If you call admissions offices, they will sometimes allow you to room with a medical student host, and if you can group your interviews together, you may be able to save on transportation.

I also applied for scholarships to conferences in the area of the schools I applied to, it ended up working out well. Good luck. 👍

 

[icebrat001]

Credit cards and parents. Sucks, but if you can't find a way to pay for interviews, can you find a way to pay for school? You'e got to deal with going into debt, even if it means credit card debt, for this process.

Should have mentioned this in my initial post.
I have no family, so I can't ask family.


Credit card debt wouldn't be so bad, if I knew i was going to medical school, but a student credit card can only hold so much.


Tesla,

Thanks for the tip, I will keep that in mind.

 

[LSUwannabe]

Sometimes it does suck...

Re: applications

Firstly do some research and choose schools where you're more likely to get accepted...don't just apply all over. Perhaps pick one or two "dream" schools-or don't.

Some (like me) only applied to a few schools, knowing my chances were good at the in-states.

Although I may have been accepted elsewhere, I knew I'd be happy attending one of my state institutions and paying the accompanying $12-ish grand tuition. I've since been accepted and can't justify paying 2-3x more in tuition alone to go elsewhere.

The entire process, MCAT, interviews, AMCAS,etc. was well under $1000.
Good luck and don't feel like you're alone!

 

[ramblinwreckie]

I anticipated this and saved up a lot the past two summers. But, then again, none of this money went to tuition or housing (yay student loans). I'm gonna add up all the expenses when I'm done, and it will probably be about $5000. I have paid for it all out of my pocket without any credit card debt. I drove to 6 interviews, but the rest I had to fly to (more than $2000 in flight costs alone). I stayed in a hotel for my first interview, then realized how dumb that was, and stayed with student hosts or friends for the rest.

It really sucks. I'll have to work again this summer (at least) rather than doing something cool. Try not to go into credit card debt, but don't choose not to apply to some schools simply because of money.

 

[DrThom]

I got one of those private high interest student loans (see "finanacial raping")
from Bank of America. It was the only way I could pay for this process but I know that eventually I will pay it off.

Mine was the BoA "Education Maximizer" loan.

 

[OSUdoc08]

Is it just me, or do I feel like the poorest person on these boards.
Didn't even go to school Friday because I didn't have bus money.

Anyway, my question to everyone is how do you afford it?

You guys apply to 15 plus schools and then fly to all these interviews? I just dont understand how we are supposed to pay for all that.

I am a disadvantaged student, and I am aware that I can take the MCAT for a discounted rate as well as apply to 11 schools for free. however, when application time comes, I am fearful that I will not get accepted to a school for lack of funds and lack of ability to get funds if i let them know I am disadvantaged.

Any advice?

max fafsa loans

 

[Fusion]

Also, don't apply to medical school until you are good and ready. This process is emotionally and physically taxing enough without having to worry about funds. Throw money issues on top of that and you'll have your hands full. So do everything right the first time around: get your GPA/MCAT as high as they can be, apply early, and hope for the best. Do things right the first time around and you'll save yourself a lot of time, effort, money, and anxiety!

 

[Mistress S]

Hi icebrat, I waited to apply until I was finished with school and working full-time, but I have still had to use a credit card to cover many expenses, since I only earn a little bit more than I need to cover my bills. I also don't have family helping out, so the credit card is like the father I never had--instead of calling up and saying, "hey dad, I need a couple hundred dollars for a plane ticket", I hold up my card and say "Hey Platinum Visa, little help old friend?" and he always comes through. 😀 I was reluctant to take on extra debt, but that's life. On the plus side, there are many cards that have an introductory 0% interest rate, mine is like that until 2006 so at least the balance isn't growing. Also, don't count on getting assistance from AMCAS--they are very strict about giving out that money, I applied and was denied even though I only made $8500 the previous tax year (working part-time in school) and my mom made $18K (they require parental income info). Anyway, I think some good advice has been given about reducing costs--be selective about where you apply, get everything together so you only have to do it once hopefully, stay with student hosts when you interview, work and save money before you apply, get a credit card or take out more student loans. It is hellishly expensive, which is funny because med schools talk about wanting to increase diversity, but make the process prohibitvely expensive for lower-income people lacking family assistance to apply. Go figure. Good luck!

 

[SanDiegoSOD]

Go to your financial aid office and ask for a Budget Add-on form. Your school may have one of these by a different name, but they will have something like this. With it you can request an increase in your financial aid, which will be covered by a Select loan - a semi-low interest loan (4.5%) that can be deferred like any other education loan. Explore all your options, as I know that (through various techniques) one can obtain an increase of nearly $10,000 at one time. Hope this helps 👍

 

[synapse lapse]

Is it just me, or do I feel like the poorest person on these boards.
Didn't even go to school Friday because I didn't have bus money.

Anyway, my question to everyone is how do you afford it?

You guys apply to 15 plus schools and then fly to all these interviews? I just dont understand how we are supposed to pay for all that.

I am a disadvantaged student, and I am aware that I can take the MCAT for a discounted rate as well as apply to 11 schools for free. however, when application time comes, I am fearful that I will not get accepted to a school for lack of funds and lack of ability to get funds if i let them know I am disadvantaged.

Any advice?

First off, do as you mentioned and apply for FAP, I did and it saved me $1500. Second, you will have to spend some money flying to interviews, but otehr schools will pay for you to go if you are disadvantaged/FAP. Third, you needn't worry about how you are going to pay for medical school. The Stafford Loan is capped at $38,500, which is enough money to pay for almost any school. In addition, if you got FAP I am sure you'll get grant money. Trust me, you are not the poorest person out there. Talk to teh family, plan ahead, and work and you should be just fine.

 

[wxl31]

find a credit card w/ a 0% APR into rate.

i don't think you should wait to apply b/c you don't have money. waiting an extra year is like losing a year of income. what's better, being $5000 in debt now or losing 100K later on?

 

[indo]

My checking account has been overdrawn (33 dollar fee) several times because medical schools choose to deposite my checks months later at the worst possible times.

 

[drguy22]

Should have mentioned this in my initial post.
I have no family, so I can't ask family.


Credit card debt wouldn't be so bad, if I knew i was going to medical school, but a student credit card can only hold so much.


Tesla,

Thanks for the tip, I will keep that in mind.

my american express student card has a 15K limit.....u can get a credit increase🙂 and get this..i practically have no income..and no its isnt linked to my dads credit card🙂

 

[SanDiegoSOD]

my american express student card has a 15K limit.....u can get a credit increase🙂 and get this..i practically have no income..and no its isnt linked to my dads credit card🙂

No way 😱 . From what I understand, it's not possible to get a credit limit that is greater than half your income. How did you pull off 15k?

 

[drguy22]

No way 😱 . From what I understand, it's not possible to get a credit limit that is greater than half your income. How did you pull off 15k?

my income is less than 2K....id like to know too...my actual limit is $15,300. it started at 5K and i kept getting approved for credit line increases...basically i dont have to worry bout payments cuz my dad pays on time🙂 but its not linked to his name.

 

[fyli260]

First off, do as you mentioned and apply for FAP, I did and it saved me $1500. Second, you will have to spend some money flying to interviews, but otehr schools will pay for you to go if you are disadvantaged/FAP. Third, you needn't worry about how you are going to pay for medical school. The Stafford Loan is capped at $38,500, which is enough money to pay for almost any school. In addition, if you got FAP I am sure you'll get grant money. Trust me, you are not the poorest person out there. Talk to teh family, plan ahead, and work and you should be just fine.

Which schools would paid for you to go to their interviews because you got the FAP? I'm just curious because I didn't know about this.

As for managing to pay for interviews, I suggest applying to schools relatively close by. Only apply to schools that require flights if you are dying to go there. And remember, unless you are a super steller student (I'm not sure how you can tell anymore), you won't get interviews at all the schools you apply to. Lastly, if you haven't applied for the FAP, definitely try. It doesn't cost a thing to apply and the worst thing they can tell you is No.

 

[Pontifex Maximus]

I won't afford it. I'll be broke and then some.

 

[KiKat37]

my income is less than 2K....id like to know too...my actual limit is $15,300. it started at 5K and i kept getting approved for credit line increases...basically i dont have to worry bout payments cuz my dad pays on time🙂 but its not linked to his name.

I will probably regret writing this later... But, this one post pissed me off and I have to reply.

Dude, you don't belong here! People here do NOT have a rich daddy paying off their credit cards! And, why do you keep saying that it's not linked to his name? Who cares?? He is paying for it! I don't know what exactly you were trying to justify, but that was pointless.

Also, in case you didn't read the previous posts, the OP does not have a family... let alone a rich one! How did you think your post was going to help him?? Obvisouly, your situation is MUCH different from his!

Arrrggg 😡

 

[Law2Doc]

Is it just me, or do I feel like the poorest person on these boards.
Didn't even go to school Friday because I didn't have bus money.

Anyway, my question to everyone is how do you afford it?

You guys apply to 15 plus schools and then fly to all these interviews? I just dont understand how we are supposed to pay for all that.

I am a disadvantaged student, and I am aware that I can take the MCAT for a discounted rate as well as apply to 11 schools for free. however, when application time comes, I am fearful that I will not get accepted to a school for lack of funds and lack of ability to get funds if i let them know I am disadvantaged.

Any advice?

One thing people don't seem to have mentioned here is that there is no rule that says you must apply to med school right out of college. You can always work for a bit (which, in and of itself is a nice EC for your application), and save enough to cover the application and interview process.