What are all the costs of applying to 35 medical schools? I would particularly like to know the costs that are not shown on AMCAS. Moreover, how similar are the secondary essays to each other?
Thank you.
Thank you.
Number of Medical School Applications
- Thread starter AshPreMed
- Start date
- Joined
- Dec 1, 2011
- Messages
- 18,577
- Reaction score
- 57
- Joined
- Jun 24, 2011
- Messages
- 3,273
- Reaction score
- 870
Each secondary will average you about $70 to $100 dollars per. For the sake of calculation, let's say it all comes out to $80 per secondary. That's $2800 just to send secondaries.
There are some notable exceptions - Cincinnati's secondary is $25, Wright State's is $55. On the other end of the spectrum include Georgetown and Tufts, with secondary fees of over $100 (don't remember exact figures).
Secondary essays tend to be similar - they touch on similar topics, such as "Why this school", "How will you add to the diversity/community..", "Where do you see yourself in xx amount of time..". However, you will find that each prompt will be just a little bit different, causing you to need to refine essays constantly to fit each school.
There are some notable exceptions - Cincinnati's secondary is $25, Wright State's is $55. On the other end of the spectrum include Georgetown and Tufts, with secondary fees of over $100 (don't remember exact figures).
Secondary essays tend to be similar - they touch on similar topics, such as "Why this school", "How will you add to the diversity/community..", "Where do you see yourself in xx amount of time..". However, you will find that each prompt will be just a little bit different, causing you to need to refine essays constantly to fit each school.
Cost: Are you referring to everything from MCAT books/practice exams to interview traveling expenses? Or just secondary application fees? I easily spent ~$5k altogether. Applied to 23 schools and attended 10 interviews.
Secondaries: I think the trap many people run into is trying to copy and paste their secondary essays in the interest of saving time. To me it was the most annoying part of the entire process, but I got II's at my more reach schools more quickly than a lot of my safeties, and I think this partly has to do with how much time I put in to writing those secondary essays in particular. Recycling some ideas are fine (diversity essays for example) but be careful about copy and pasting whole paragraphs. It's pretty transparent.
Secondaries: I think the trap many people run into is trying to copy and paste their secondary essays in the interest of saving time. To me it was the most annoying part of the entire process, but I got II's at my more reach schools more quickly than a lot of my safeties, and I think this partly has to do with how much time I put in to writing those secondary essays in particular. Recycling some ideas are fine (diversity essays for example) but be careful about copy and pasting whole paragraphs. It's pretty transparent.
Are you saying that medical schools see your answers to other medical schools' secondaries?
- Joined
- Jun 24, 2011
- Messages
- 3,273
- Reaction score
- 870
No. Schools have their separate websites/resources for submitting secondaries. What will give you away is if your answer seems out of context in terms of the prompt.
Okay, I see what you had meant. Thanks.
- Joined
- Sep 25, 2012
- Messages
- 957
- Reaction score
- 172
Very expensive lol thats why most people don't apply over 25
4
487806
Probably true, but still pretty expensive to apply broadly. Also, you should use
in your signature.
- Joined
- Jan 13, 2012
- Messages
- 238
- Reaction score
- 2
Probably true, but still pretty expensive to apply broadly. Also, you should use
You're right. I should. I plan on applying to ~15. Also, the majority will be mid and lower tier, with a few top 30, like OHSU and UCSF (trying to stay west coast), to up my chances at acceptance my first app cycle. I've been slowly whittling them down based on location, electives, chance of acceptance, whether you can freely schedule 4th year, etc.
Owl: done!
- Joined
- May 20, 2010
- Messages
- 5,669
- Reaction score
- 7,852
A lot. I hope you have a spare couple grand just lying around.
- Joined
- Aug 15, 2011
- Messages
- 210
- Reaction score
- 13
Not necessary, if you pick your schools wisely. I mean this for both strong and weak. I let my premed anxiety get the better of me and applied to 22, 23 (forget exact number) but could have done with 15
- Joined
- Dec 1, 2011
- Messages
- 18,577
- Reaction score
- 57
I think the average is quite a bit less.. more like 12 or something.
You know what they say about hindsight.
- Joined
- Mar 17, 2012
- Messages
- 167
- Reaction score
- 0
I'll try to answer this as comprehensively as possible and break down the costs. First, if you want to include MCAT preparation, this is usually the most highly variable cost. At the low end you probably want to buy a set of books. At the higher end you may take a class (unless you want some private tutoring of some sort which will end up costing you a ridiculous amount so I won't even consider that). The cost to take the MCAT is around $240. A set of books may be $200. An MCAT course would be roughly 1-2K. Therefore, the cost for the MCAT would be roughly between $440-$2200.
To apply to 35 schools you will first need to pay the primary fees which would amount to $160 for the first school + $34 for each school. That totals around $1300.
Assuming that most secondary costs are roughly $80-100. The cost of that would be $2800-$$3500.
Lastly, interviews are the most highly variable of these costs (really dependent on how many you get and where). If you are from the east coast and applied mostly to east coast schools, these costs can be drastically lower than if you were from the midwest/south/west coast applying to the east coast schools. Travel for interviews could cost upwards of 2-3 thousand (even more if you decide to stay in hotels and not with student hosts *shudders*
). If you stay with student hosts, take buses or trains (instead of flying) whenever you feasibly can, and if you're able to link multiple interviews together, these costs can be drastically reduced.
So all in all, on the low end, you'd be paying at least 5K. On the high end about 10K+ including MCAT costs. (35 schools is SO MANY).
As for your question about secondaries, I would say that I wrote about 4-5 essays that applied to a good chunk of the secondary essay questions. There were maybe 1/4 of the schools that had truly unique questions which had to be written separately. Many of these were short answers though. Also a few secondaries were very short or had no essay questions whatsoever. This really depends on what schools you are applying to though. Check the school specific thread for more details.
To apply to 35 schools you will first need to pay the primary fees which would amount to $160 for the first school + $34 for each school. That totals around $1300.
Assuming that most secondary costs are roughly $80-100. The cost of that would be $2800-$$3500.
Lastly, interviews are the most highly variable of these costs (really dependent on how many you get and where). If you are from the east coast and applied mostly to east coast schools, these costs can be drastically lower than if you were from the midwest/south/west coast applying to the east coast schools. Travel for interviews could cost upwards of 2-3 thousand (even more if you decide to stay in hotels and not with student hosts *shudders*
). If you stay with student hosts, take buses or trains (instead of flying) whenever you feasibly can, and if you're able to link multiple interviews together, these costs can be drastically reduced.So all in all, on the low end, you'd be paying at least 5K. On the high end about 10K+ including MCAT costs. (35 schools is SO MANY).
As for your question about secondaries, I would say that I wrote about 4-5 essays that applied to a good chunk of the secondary essay questions. There were maybe 1/4 of the schools that had truly unique questions which had to be written separately. Many of these were short answers though. Also a few secondaries were very short or had no essay questions whatsoever. This really depends on what schools you are applying to though. Check the school specific thread for more details.
- Joined
- May 20, 2010
- Messages
- 5,669
- Reaction score
- 7,852
Bro you aren't making 4K a day as a physician. Think again.
Last application cycle, the average amount of applications per applicant was 14 according to AAMC.
I think carramrod's estimate is very accurate, unless you're applying to special programs, such as MD/PhDs where hotel and travel expenses are paid by some programs.
Regarding secondaries, there are many similar questions but all schools have different length limits and phrasing. At the very least, expect to edit all essays. Also, some prompts require a bit of work, such as researching the school, their mission/values, and unique aspects of their program. Then, there are some really different questions that will take you awhile. For example, Northwestern asked me to describe a recent journal article I read and how it affected me (MD/PhD). Every once in a while, there will be a question that takes a decent chunk of time. If you're set on applying to that many schools, I would look up the essay prompts in the school specific threads and pre-write. It's important to get your applications complete early.
I think carramrod's estimate is very accurate, unless you're applying to special programs, such as MD/PhDs where hotel and travel expenses are paid by some programs.
Regarding secondaries, there are many similar questions but all schools have different length limits and phrasing. At the very least, expect to edit all essays. Also, some prompts require a bit of work, such as researching the school, their mission/values, and unique aspects of their program. Then, there are some really different questions that will take you awhile. For example, Northwestern asked me to describe a recent journal article I read and how it affected me (MD/PhD). Every once in a while, there will be a question that takes a decent chunk of time. If you're set on applying to that many schools, I would look up the essay prompts in the school specific threads and pre-write. It's important to get your applications complete early.
Last edited:
- Joined
- Dec 1, 2011
- Messages
- 18,577
- Reaction score
- 57
sent in 33 secondaries, applied to 36 schools. decided not to apply to 3 of them after seeing secondary questions or just reading more about the school. total costs just for the applications was around 4-5k.
after writing like 15-20 secondaries the rest started sounding similar but still had to add new things to fit the schools. but you can definitely categorize them and start early.
after writing like 15-20 secondaries the rest started sounding similar but still had to add new things to fit the schools. but you can definitely categorize them and start early.
- Joined
- Apr 22, 2010
- Messages
- 261
- Reaction score
- 34
X
Last edited:
- Joined
- Mar 30, 2012
- Messages
- 1,362
- Reaction score
- 11
Clearly you have no idea about cardiac dermatology. He'll be making the big buck$$$$ while you'll be in the poorhouse.
Is there still time to apply for the Fee Assistance Program? I must submit my primaries in 2 hours.
- Joined
- Sep 8, 2011
- Messages
- 314
- Reaction score
- 86
lol what???
- Joined
- Oct 29, 2011
- Messages
- 3,577
- Reaction score
- 547
- Joined
- Jun 24, 2011
- Messages
- 3,273
- Reaction score
- 870
No.
- Joined
- May 20, 2010
- Messages
- 5,669
- Reaction score
- 7,852
If you mean 2 months ago then yes that was the time you should have submitted your primaries.
- Joined
- Nov 5, 2011
- Messages
- 4,963
- Reaction score
- 2,959
Another great troll thread! 👍
- Joined
- Feb 26, 2012
- Messages
- 108
- Reaction score
- 2
US admissions are on a rolling basis. And I think the cycle starts in June or July.
Some schools may give you a spot for the 2014.
(Mashematoo applied late 2008 and got a guaranteed spot for 2010 entry to the DO school of the Western University of the Health Sciences).
- Joined
- Dec 1, 2011
- Messages
- 18,577
- Reaction score
- 57
You submitted AMCAS today? Unless you have a stellar application, you likely just wasted a bunch of money.
- Joined
- Jul 14, 2005
- Messages
- 6,709
- Reaction score
- 8,030
He doesn't.
- Joined
- Jun 23, 2012
- Messages
- 1,146
- Reaction score
- 1,130
Did you really just submit your primaries today? I've come across a few of your threads over the past month or 2, and as many many others have pointed out, your stats just aren't up to par for MD schools. On top of that, it is super late in the cycle.
But seriously though, good luck with applications and prove SDN wrong.
I like to think my application will stand out in a way, since I have been personally honored by my university (a top 20)... But let's see how it goes. Wish me luck (why not? lol).🙂
I'll update you all about the interviews.
Last edited:
- Joined
- Mar 29, 2011
- Messages
- 853
- Reaction score
- 2
lmfao say whaaaaatttt
- Joined
- Jul 10, 2012
- Messages
- 1,517
- Reaction score
- 13
If you can find a flux capacitor on ebay.
4
487806
This question implies you're extremely naive, apathetic or trolling us.
You're submitting your apps very late in the game.... Well,
good luck.
4
487806
Did you really just submit your primaries today? I've come across a few of your threads over the past month or 2, and as many many others have pointed out, your stats just aren't up to par for MD schools. On top of that, it is super late in the cycle.
But seriously though, good luck with applications and prove SDN wrong.
Not being cynical, but MedPR's right. OP just burned a lot of money for no reason. Maybe if he's serious and applied early, he wouldn't have much problem, unless he applied top-heavy.
- Joined
- Jun 24, 2011
- Messages
- 3,273
- Reaction score
- 870
I think OP should be more worried about being identified based on his WAMC topic..
- Joined
- Jan 21, 2012
- Messages
- 5,173
- Reaction score
- 4,759
Unlikely, he went back and edited much of it.
We go to the same university and again, it really isn't as highly regarded as you think it is.
Good luck anyways.
- Joined
- Sep 17, 2011
- Messages
- 205
- Reaction score
- 0
I thought primary deadline passed a long time ago...
- Joined
- Jun 24, 2011
- Messages
- 3,273
- Reaction score
- 870
AMCAS extended it due to Hurricane Sandy, I thought?
- Joined
- Mar 30, 2012
- Messages
- 1,362
- Reaction score
- 11
Sandy must have been rough when it hit back in early October.
- Joined
- Jun 29, 2011
- Messages
- 1,721
- Reaction score
- 293
Sandy hit us two weeks ago, the last week in October/first week in November.
Most people by me lost power for at least a week so we're talking about ten days with power.
Last edited:
- Joined
- Dec 1, 2011
- Messages
- 18,577
- Reaction score
- 57
- Joined
- Jun 29, 2011
- Messages
- 1,721
- Reaction score
- 293
October 29/30 here in NY/NJ
OP doesn't sound like he was affected based on where his university is but not so sure if AMCAS online services were down in the meantime since well.. didn't really have power to check.
4
. I'm going to side with you here. OP's trolling us!
