Interviews question

[iceman132]

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I'm looking at some older threads about going to interviews.... And I seem to have a rather specific question.

If you are lucky enough to get 5 interviews out of state... Let's say each ticket costs 150 (Which is rather cheap) Plus a night at a hotel 50 dollars

That's around a grand.... And that's REALLY CHEAP (Seeing how a ticket fro my area to Texas is around 300 on Orbitz) This isn't even including a rent-a-car

Just wondering how some people did it and how much money you spent. (Say how many you interviewed and the overall cost)

 

[doctorshateher]

I'm driving to every interview less than 10 hours drive (which is still a lot of gas money, but typically still cheaper than flying). Staying with student hosts and friends in the area.

Med school interviews are a huge part of my budget this year though. Like, rent for the year is the same as my budget for med school interviews.

 

[iceman132]

I'm driving to every interview less than 10 hours drive (which is still a lot of gas money, but typically still cheaper than flying). Staying with student hosts and friends in the area.

Med school interviews are a huge part of my budget this year though. Like, rent for the year is the same as my budget for med school interviews.

That makes sense. It just seems like a ridiculous amount of money. The plane ticket you may get lucky but the rent-a-car could cost a lot.

I'm willing to drive around 15 hours but some places may be further than that.

 

[LifeTake2]

I'm going to fly most places due to the fact that I'm working and can't exactly take 2-3 days to drive to an interview.

Fortunately, 19/20 schools that I applied to are <$400 for a plane ticket. And I don't expect too many interviews (I have two right now, would be shocked if total is >5)

Unfortunately, the 2nd school to offer me an interview was the one that airfare alone is gonna run me $700 🙁

 

[doctorshateher]

Also, don't be too proud to ask for help. I paid for all my AMCAS fees and secondaries myself and will pay for my gas money and what not.

But I also asked for a plane ticket to Minneapolis as a birthday present 😀

 

[vc7777]

Money is of course tight for many applicants.

Student hosts are a great option financially and because you can get a flavor for what the student culture/social life is like. Most schools realize the costs of application and offer a list of potential hosts at the time of interview offer.

Also, if you have some flexibility and time, you can leverage SDN to carpool for OOS interviews on certain dates - although this is not very common so don't hold your breathe. Look into other modes of transport (such as greyhound or megabus and Amtrak). Finally, if you can, try and book interviews back-to-back and make the 'circuit' to consolidate the costs of flights.

 

[nadaba]

Unfortunately, the 2nd school to offer me an interview was the one that airfare alone is gonna run me $700 🙁

I don't even know how that's possible, unless you're interviewing at Hawaii on short notice 😱

Interviews are expensive, especially if you have to fly cross-country for most. Student hosts are a big help.

 

[LifeTake2]

I don't even know how that's possible, unless you're interviewing at Hawaii on short notice 😱

Interviews are expensive, especially if you have to fly cross-country for most. Student hosts are a big help.

Just checked and right now running closer to $600 (oops) but upstate NY to Phoenix is close to cross-country 🙁 Plus, due to work I have to be picky and buy 'prime flying times' such as late evening and early AM.

 

[TheBossDoctor]

How is it costing $600-700 for you guys to travel to an interview? Unless it is peak season and/or you guys buy the tickets a day or two before you leave, this is way too much. I went from Boston to L.A., and that was only $300 round trip (bought the tickets about 3-4 weeks before, and I flew on a Friday and Sunday).

 

[CaliGirl14]

I plan on using my dad's airline miles (he travels a lot). I also made friends on the east coast, so I'm definitely going to be bumming off them.

 

[LifeTake2]

How is it costing $600-700 for you guys to travel to an interview? Unless it is peak season and/or you guys buy the tickets a day or two before you leave, this is way too much. I went from Boston to L.A., and that was only $300 round trip (bought the tickets about 3-4 weeks before, and I flew on a Friday and Sunday).

.

 

[LizzyM]

Airline tickets are expensive particularly if you are flying into and/or out of airports with limited competition. Sometimes bus or train is an alternative and in some circumstances it is possible to drive.

Rent-a-car is necessary in some places but in others (particularly big cities) it is possible to save money with a combination of airport shuttle bus, taxi, or public transportation (eg Boston, NYC, Philly, DC, Chicago). Don't forget the cost of parking in some of these big cities, too.

Student hosts can save you money and give you an idea of the campus culture.

 

[kpcrew]

try to get your interviews scheduled near each other and plan trips out. i have heard of some people sending emails saying that they will be in the area during a certain time and asking if the school can accommodate their schedule.

 

[Avoidthetiger]

Student hosts are a great option financially and because you can get a flavor for what the student culture/social life is like. Most schools realize the costs of application and offer a list of potential hosts at the time of interview offer.

Also, if you have some flexibility and time, you can leverage SDN to carpool for OOS interviews on certain dates - although this is not very common so don't hold your breathe. Look into other modes of transport (such as greyhound or megabus and Amtrak). Finally, if you can, try and book interviews back-to-back and make the 'circuit' to consolidate the costs of flights.

+1
I did all of this and it helps keep my interview travel cost alot "cheaper"

I would recommend looking at my MDapps profile [towards bottom] to see all my different routes via plane, amtrak, megabus, rent-a-car I took (taxis or locale transit not included!). I only stayed at a hotel twice [over ten interviews], otherwise it was student host beds or couches, or with family/friends. Unfortunately, plane tickets were about 1/2 the price last year than this year (or atleast $10 less) so I feel bad for everyone applying this year.

 

[Morsetlis]

I'm looking at some older threads about going to interviews.... And I seem to have a rather specific question.

If you are lucky enough to get 5 interviews out of state... Let's say each ticket costs 150 (Which is rather cheap) Plus a night at a hotel 50 dollars

That's around a grand.... And that's REALLY CHEAP (Seeing how a ticket fro my area to Texas is around 300 on Orbitz) This isn't even including a rent-a-car

Just wondering how some people did it and how much money you spent. (Say how many you interviewed and the overall cost)

Student host = no room/board cost, and usually a 15 min walk from campus.

There are no intradimensional portals so somebody's going to have to pay the car gas/airplane fuel cost.