Normal or common to graduate broke??

[DOmaybe]

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Just wondering if it is normal to graduate med school pretty much flat broke? Talking to several people that are currently in school they are going to graduate with almost no money in savings. So where would money for interviews, moving for residency and getting a house/apt??

 

[sequela]

i am dealing w the move via credit cards-i researched several 0% cards (all kinds of cards actually) and waited until may to open an account. now i have this card w 0% on purchases and balance transfers for 12 months. i am dedicating this card to moving/setting up shop expenses ONLY. the philosophy is this: if i can't make it work w this card (ie pay for what i want w just this card), then i can't have it...it either has to wait or i have to get creative/shop around and find a less expensive option.

if your fico score is desirable, you will qualify for a nice card.

i am using only one card because it's not good to open several accounts at one time/or around the same time. the rest of my cards, while their interest rates are not horrific, are not 0% and that is what i'll need to get through the first several payment cycles without starving to death or having anxiety.

some people take relocation loans if they have serious moving expenses like buying a new car or trucking a whole huge household.

i am using the last bit of my financial aid and money from selling my car to pay my first month's rent. because i couldn't afford to fly out to see the place, i am doing the "sight unseen" thing.

this whole thing is very stressful and it will require some serious paring down and tightening of one's belt but it's short-term.


i suggest that after interview season, you work on paying down your cards to a balance of zero and saving up some cash so that when may/june rolls around, you don't find yourself drowning in even more debt.

it's basically fast and feast.

 

[Doctor Bagel]

I don't see how a person can avoid graduating broke when you consider all the extra expenses that you hit 4th year. $1k in fees alone for the stupid CS exam, buying interview clothing, flying for interviews, staying in hotels, etc.

 

[blanche]

I don't see how a person can avoid graduating broke when you consider all the extra expenses that you hit 4th year. $1k in fees alone for the stupid CS exam, buying interview clothing, flying for interviews, staying in hotels, etc.

yeah and then there's $hit like $200 to rent tacky polyester graduation gowns for <1 day, if you go to a school that just wants to bleeeeeeed you for some more.

i have no liquid funds right now. i used my graduation (monetary) gifts for a security deposit. you might find me hooked up at the phresis center near my hospital during orientation week getting some spare change

 

[Doctor Bagel]

yeah and then there's $hit like $200 to rent tacky polyester graduation gowns for <1 day, if you go to a school that just wants to bleeeeeeed you for some more.

i have no liquid funds right now. i used my graduation (monetary) gifts for a security deposit. you might find me hooked up at the phresis center near my hospital during orientation week getting some spare change

Super lame right there. 👎 Thank god for plastic, I guess -- I know visa's going to be my friend around graduation time.

So if anybody is not broke come graduation, how'd you do it? 😕

 

[madtowngirl]

I upped the hours at my job as soon as feasible 4th year. Right after interview season, I was working 15-20 hours per week. Because many of my 4th year rotations were less than arduous, that was feasible for me. I used that money plus graduation gifts for closing costs and moving costs.

 

[hithere]

I upped the hours at my job as soon as feasible 4th year. Right after interview season, I was working 15-20 hours per week. Because many of my 4th year rotations were less than arduous, that was feasible for me. I used that money plus graduation gifts for closing costs and moving costs.

do you mind me asking what kind of job you had? i'm interested to know what types of jobs med students can hold down while in school.