How to pay for applications

[-----MD]

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I am looking through my list of schools and freaking out!
I have 25+ schools, still trying to cut it down. I got a 28 on my MCAT so applying broadly to maximize chances. Primaries will cost ~$1100. Secondaries: more schools seem over $100 than the few under. To hold a spot (which will happen if I get on a waitlist) will cost $250.

I qualify for FAP, but due to my parents income, I don't. My parents, due to various reasons, are not happy that I am going to medical school and can't help me out. I know that med school will cost me a lot more- but I don't have the option of taking loans now.

So- How do you guys pay for this?? Credit cards?

 

[-----MD]

That is not even including travel expenses...

 

[teambert]

You ask your parents and family for money. Don't have it? Sell stuff on eBay. Not enough? Get a credit card. Not enough? Apply to what you can afford and let the chips fall.

Could only afford to apply to 10. Did, was accepted. Not ideal, but not impossible. The fewer schools you can apply to, the more you target schools and craft your application specifically for them. Good luck.

 

[ecolik-12]

gHave you considered retaking the MCAT? If you increase your score by a bit, you can apply to a fewer # of schools and save some money that way.

 

[gyngyn]

Don't steal!

 

[Jagon]

It is an issue many students face and few have prepared for it. I often suggest students need $3000-$5000 planned for primary application, secondary fees, airline and hotel for interview. Beg, borrow, or steal. Credits cards are some students only option

This. I applied 2 cycles and spent about that much each cycle. Interviews are by far the most expensive part.

 

[tiedyeddog]

1. Parents
2. Other family
3. Loans
4. Credit Cards
5. Work a job?

 

[nOchemallday]

Don't steal!

lol my thoughts exactly when I read that.

 

[gyngyn]

lol my thoughts exactly when I read that.

I have found that figures of speech frequently don't carry over through generations.

 

[nOchemallday]

"Beg, Borrow or Steal" is a phrase first used by Chaucer in the late 1300s and generally thru literature and culture since then . It was popularly used in the 20th century during the depression about the inability to obtain any employment. It denotes something that is seemingly unobtainable.

Another reason for doctors to be well rounded including humanities

I have found that figures of speech frequently don't carry over through generations.

Just waiting for the thread: "So I stole money to pay for applications, do I have to list this?"

 

[swolebrah]

Apply for a credit card that has 0% interest for the first 12 months, then apply using that credit card. If you have previous job experience or have used credit cards in the past you can get up to a 5000$ credit limit.

Pay the credit card debt asap once your accepted! I believe in you OP!

 

[-----MD]

gHave you considered retaking the MCAT? If you increase your score by a bit, you can apply to a fewer # of schools and save some money that way.

This was my third attempt. I was doing really well on the practice tests, avg was 33 and was really prepared. Test nerves are not my friend. Dont wanna risk a 4th mediocre score 🙁


yes- Guess Ill have to find the ~3000 somewhere. Ill try to stick to driving distance states. I just didnt expect this to be so pricey....

 

[Old&InTheWay]

If you had planned ahead, you could have had a baby in 2014 and received the child tax credit.

Really though, there is no easy solution. I would probably apply for credit and look for a part time job if I were in your shoes.

 

[caffeinemia]

I am looking through my list of schools and freaking out!
I have 25+ schools, still trying to cut it down. I got a 28 on my MCAT so applying broadly to maximize chances. Primaries will cost ~$1100. Secondaries: more schools seem over $100 than the few under. To hold a spot (which will happen if I get on a waitlist) will cost $250.

I qualify for FAP, but due to my parents income, I don't. My parents, due to various reasons, are not happy that I am going to medical school and can't help me out. I know that med school will cost me a lot more- but I don't have the option of taking loans now.

So- How do you guys pay for this?? Credit cards?

CC is an option. Also, taking time off to work and sort out your finances is also an option. That's how a lot of people did it back in the day - but seems like this generation forgot that working for what you want is an option. If you're really desperate you could pull a Marky Mark, like in Boogie nights.

 

[Germanicus89]

"Do you have any other skills, like typing?"

Don't ban me.

It's clean.

 

[moisne]

I am looking through my list of schools and freaking out!
I have 25+ schools, still trying to cut it down. I got a 28 on my MCAT so applying broadly to maximize chances. Primaries will cost ~$1100. Secondaries: more schools seem over $100 than the few under. To hold a spot (which will happen if I get on a waitlist) will cost $250.

I qualify for FAP, but due to my parents income, I don't. My parents, due to various reasons, are not happy that I am going to medical school and can't help me out. I know that med school will cost me a lot more- but I don't have the option of taking loans now.

So- How do you guys pay for this?? Credit cards?

I had a job... but - you can get financially emancipated from your parents - legally they would not be tied to you anymore and you can apply for FAP - might be too late for this season though.

That is not even including travel expenses...

MCAT 28 - no offense to OP, but applying to like 25 schools, she would be VERY lucky to get 3-5 interviews.

 

[Old&InTheWay]

I had a job... but - you can get financially emancipated from your parents - legally they would not be tied to you anymore and you can apply for FAP - might be too late for this season though.

I'm not sure that this is accurate. I think FAP requires parental financial information unless they are deceased.

 

[familyaerospace]

MCAT 28 - no offense to OP, but applying to like 25 schools, she would be VERY lucky to get 3-5 interviews.

I had four interviews (2 waitlists) when I had a 26 MCAT and I applied to only 16 that round. While unlikely, it is not impossible.

 

[HAVOK121121]

I'm not sure that this is accurate. I think FAP requires parental financial information unless they are deceased.

So, I know everyone is dying to know; how do I explain the untimely death of my parents?

 

[NeuResurgens]

I have found that figures of speech frequently don't carry over through generations.

I've noticed this as well. I feel like we're at an all time high for people talking idioms literally, haha. You need to be especially careful on forums like this.

OP: you might consider taking a gap year and working full time to save up some money - you can make a lot when you work a lot. I plan to work during my gap year to help pay for applications.

 

[deleted158872]

It is an issue many students face and few have prepared for it. I often suggest students need $3000-$5000 planned for primary application, secondary fees, airline and hotel for interview. Beg, borrow, or steal. Credits cards are some students only option

sigh

 

[Thpinky]

you probably have heard of FAP. But if you have not, try applying for it if your parents don't make that much money. They pay for your app for up to 15 schools

 

[BABSstudent]

This is why you need to prep ahead of time. If you are currently in school, take out the money you need in loans.

How about getting a job or two to help pay for it? When I applied, I was working three jobs and finishing school at the same time. Was it enjoyable? Not really. Was it doable? Yes.

These three things (savings, loans and working) paid for the entire application process and money for the move without help from credit cards or parents. In the end, I was accepted to my state school and I repaid the loans from my relocation budget since moving across the state is cheaper than across the country.

 

[Lucca]

Saving money from an on campus job is one option. If you already have one and can't stack another on top (I really don't think anyone should work two jobs AND go to school if they can absolutely avoid it) then perhaps take out a small Stafford loan for apps or try to do FAP following financial emancipation?

 

[familyaerospace]

I'm not sure that this is accurate. I think FAP requires parental financial information unless they are deceased.

Actually no, if you are estranged from your parents you do not have to get information from your parents. I had three years of FAP. My parents were not on any of them. I had a clergy member who has literally known me half my life and who knows my mother write a letter explaining why we are not on speaking terms and how one parent has refused to see me for over 5 years.

 

[DrPerrla]

I have found that figures of speech frequently don't carry over through generations.

I totally understood this figure of speech. Does that make me old? lol

I had four interviews (2 waitlists) when I had a 26 MCAT and I applied to only 16 that round. While unlikely, it is not impossible.

I acknowledge the fact you said that it's unlikely but not impossible, which I'm glad you did so I'm not aiming this comment directly at you familyaerospace. In general there is a problem with people stating things like this. There is a difference between reality and luck/personal circumstance/other non-generalizable factors. A lot of things are not-impossible, that really doesn't mean a thing. For example, It's not impossible to climb Mt. Everest blind and survive, someone has done it. But what's the probable reality? The odds are low that you could too (assuming you're blind), even seasoned sighted climbers die in their attempts.

A 28 MCAT is not terrible, but it may close some doors for you unless you have a stellar application to make up for it somehow. There is only so much advice we can give without knowing other things like GPA, ECs, unique experiences etc...I would not suggest taking it again if it's your 3rd attempt as you have already figured out. The money issue is a tough one. Credit cards while an easy temporary solution will bite you in the butt if you can't pay the debt you owe on them on time. It will ruin your credit and this will most definitely affect your future for things like renting or buying property. I think your only course of action is to find a job that can give you the extra income you need to use on the costs of apps and interviews if family members are not an option.

 

[tofuuu]

I agree with @DrPerrla . I think the best option is to get a job. If you're currently in college and you're too busy to work, then take a year off to make some money for application/interview expenses. That's pretty much what I did and everything worked out fine.

Also, since you're tight on money and your stats are on the low side, I'd limit your school list to DO programs and MAYBE (depending on which state you're from) your MD STATE schools.

 

[-----MD]

Thanks to all your suggestions. I actually have a job- have had one all through out college. Even with a job 3000-5000 is a lot of money. I wish I realized it was going to be this expensive a bit earlier- I would have saved up 🙁

I crunched some numbers- seems like I'll be fine with primaries and some secondaries- gonna have to dip into credit cards and saving for the most of the secondaries. I also eliminated schools that aren't driving distance- except for one state that I have connections at- I also added some schools in that area. So that if I get interview invites to them I can bundle it.
Yes- It sucks. But gotta make it work.

Re: Low stats. I know I should stay realistic. But I do have the rest of the application working for me- I have a good GPA, a lot of ECs and a very unusual personal statement. So It might be stupid of me, but I am applying to some schools that are probably out of my league. I do have a nice percent of schools that are within my range- but I feel like I have to go for it, or I will regret it later.

 

[DrPerrla]

Sounds like you have a plan. Reach schools are still good to have because honestly you just never know, but 1 or 2 should be it for you given your financial constraint and to give you a better chance with ones that are more realistic. Good luck!