Pssh...I'm still gettin' money.

[La Presse]

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Well, the title was just a clever rouse for people to click on it. It is 1:40 AM and my friend just told me that the cycle is becoming a pain for him, in terms of the financial engagements purchasing secondaries, traveling to places and such.

I was just wondering how much money you guys have spent on this and previous cycles.

 

[TheShaker]

Does that include the money that I pay prostitutes to conduct mock interviews?

 

[La Presse]

Does that include the money that I pay prostitutes to conduct mock interviews?

All expenses incurred please.

 

[tn4596]

already spend $1200 buying suit, dress shoe, 2 round trips tickets + hotels and all the sedondary fees.
probably end up spending anywhere from $2500 to $3000

 

[TheShaker]

All expenses incurred please.

In all seriousness..

$600 on the MCAT
Predicted $2500-$3000 on primary/secondary.
Hopefully a good sum of money on interview travel.

 

[TheShaker]

already spend $1200 buying suit, dress shoe, 2 round trips tickets + hotels and all the sedondary fees.
probably end up spending anywhere from $2500 to $3000

Are interview invites coming out already? 😱

 

[thlaxer]

I spent around $8000-$9000 last cycle (applied to ~25 schools).

 

[OREdwardsJR]

I spent around $8000-$9000 last cycle (applied to ~25 schools).

daaammmmnnnnn... $8000-9000 for 25 schools??? wowzers

 

[angldrps]

I spent around $8000-$9000 last cycle (applied to ~25 schools).

😱😱

 

[ShenanigansMD]

I spent around $8000-$9000 last cycle (applied to ~25 schools).

You must have flown first class to the interviews, unless Harvard paid for the tickets.

 

[Alejandro]

mmm...

1k on primaries
2k on secondaries
4k on flights
1k on hotels...

8k total. At least it was worth it!

 

[MT Headed]

You must have flown first class to the interviews, unless Harvard paid for the tickets.

I had 7 interviews x $500 per flight. 20 secondaries x $100 per secondary. MCAT and primary were easily another $1K. That's way above $5000 before looking at clothes, hotels, etc.

It is normal to spend $5000 to $10000 per application cycle.

 

[OREdwardsJR]

I had 7 interviews x $500 per flight. 20 secondaries x $100 per secondary. MCAT and primary were easily another $1K. That's way above $5000 before looking at clothes, hotels, etc.

It is normal to spend $5000 to $10000 per application cycle.

Wow, how is a broke college student supposed to pay for that? Do you guys take out loans or something? I was hoping I was going to have to spend $5K MAX, which is still a lot to me.

 

[dmf2682]

Wow, how is a broke college student supposed to pay for that? Do you guys take out loans or something? I was hoping I was going to have to spend $5K MAX, which is still a lot to me.

Mt isn't your typical broke college student.. .

 

[Praefectus]

If you're worried about costs, apply to schools that are a driveable distance...or have a parent with a ton of frequent flier miles.

 

[iforget2]

Wow I had no idea app cycles costed so much.... Not looking forward to it in 2 years

 

[tn4596]

Driving there prolly save you 100 -150 dollar max because you still have to pay for gas which is pretty expensive still, (i am talking about drive distance less than 7-8 hours, if it take longer, just fly there). I've looked at greyhound and their fee is the same as driving gas money. take care of all the app fees, when interview come, just ask relatives if they can help, or use the credit cards/emergency loan if all failed. this really is nothing in the context of things. think of it as an investment.

 

[1289]

Are interview invites coming out already? 😱

GW has filled up a couple days,

 

[Dr McSexy]

already spend $1200 buying suit, dress shoe, 2 round trips tickets + hotels and all the sedondary fees.
probably end up spending anywhere from $2500 to $3000

Well I guess you have start cutting down your expenses somehow. 😉

 

[mikevick]

once we're done building the dynasty, i wont have to worry about any expenses

 

[PreMedOrDead]

It's an investment in your future etc etc

Dr. Cox: Oh gosh, I guess, I became a doctor because ever since I was a little boy I just wanted to help people. I don't tell this story very often but I remember when I was seven-years old I one time I found a bird that had fallen out of its nest so I picked him up and brought him home and made him a house out of an empty shoebox and hahaha oh my God... Oh... I became a doctor for the same four reasons everybody does: chicks, money power and chicks. But since HMOs have made it virtually impossible to make any real money which directly affects the number of chicks who come sniffin' around and don't ask me what tree they're barkin' up because they're sure as hell not pissin' on mine and as far as power goes, well here I am during my free time letting some thirteen-year old psychology fellow who couldn't cut it in real medicine ask me question about my personal life. So here's the inside scoop there pumpkin, why don't you go head and tell me all about power

 

[boshtrich]

I think I ended up spending $5-6k for 15 schools and 5 interviews. Stay with student hosts if you can. They cost a lot less than a hotel, and you can get extra perspective about the school.

 

[OREdwardsJR]

when interview come, just ask relatives if they can help, or use the credit cards/emergency loan if all failed. this really is nothing in the context of things. think of it as an investment.

once we're done building the dynasty, i wont have to worry about any expenses

I get that, I just want to know how the initial process is paid for. I understand the investment aspect of it

It's an investment in your future etc etc

That quote was... kinda interesting, until I found out that he's a fictional doctor (obviously I haven't seen Scrubs before).

 

[Rumalum]

My suit was 200 bucks, I sent secondaries to 9 schools, and I had two flights. Drove to other interviews. For my two flights, I paid 20 bucks a night in hawaii at a hostel and stayed for free with a student host at the other school. Anyone who pays "5000-10000" dollars during an application cycle is ******ed

 

[Slack3r]

You must have flown first class to the interviews, unless Harvard paid for the tickets.

Uh, no. An AMCAS primary submission would be well over $1000 for that many schools. Secondaries are approximately $100/school; you're looking at another $2000 or so right there. Then interviews will typically cost approximately $500 per including airfare, hotel, and ground transportation, so that's another anywhere from $0-5000 depending on how many interviews you go on. That right there is $8000 as a rough estimation.

Wow, how is a broke college student supposed to pay for that? Do you guys take out loans or something? I was hoping I was going to have to spend $5K MAX, which is still a lot to me.

I took out a loan and had some parental help with my suit and AMCAS primary.

 

[Slack3r]

My suit was 200 bucks, I sent secondaries to 9 schools, and I had two flights. Drove to other interviews. For my two flights, I paid 20 bucks a night in hawaii at a hostel and stayed for free with a student host at the other school. Anyone who pays "5000-10000" dollars during an application cycle is ******ed

Driving isn't really feasible for a lot of people. And if you're frequently flying 1000+ miles to interview (aka pretty much every interview I had), then ya it's entirely possible.

 

[TipToad]

I'm fortunate enough to have my parents fund this application cycle. Having said that, I don't want to spend more than $2000. My plan is to drive to any interviews that are within 10 hours, stay with students to save money on hotel costs, and only fly to interviews with a high acceptance yield.

 

[tn4596]

My suit was 200 bucks, I sent secondaries to 9 schools, and I had two flights. Drove to other interviews. For my two flights, I paid 20 bucks a night in hawaii at a hostel and stayed for free with a student host at the other school. Anyone who pays "5000-10000" dollars during an application cycle is ******ed

like i said, you still have to pay for gas if you drive, which is for a 5 hr drive = a little more than 100 dollar, getting the same distance airplane ticket wuld cost about 200. so by driving you are saving about 100 per trips (this is only possible for school relatively close to you). this is nothing in the context taht you are only interviewing at ~5 places per cycle. the hotel is also not a big expense since you are only staying for one night and a good night sleep = you feel better on interview day. the peopel who is spending 5-10k is not ******ed, everon want to save money but you spend what you have to.

 

[OREdwardsJR]

like i said, you still have to pay for gas if you drive, which is for a 5 hr drive = a little more than 100 dollar, getting the same distance airplane ticket wuld cost about 200. so by driving you are saving about 100 per trips (this is only possible for school relatively close to you). this is nothing in the context taht you are only interviewing at ~5 places per cycle. the hotel is also not a big expense since you are only staying for one night and a good night sleep = you feel better on interview day. the peopel who is spending 5-10k is not ******ed, everon want to save money but you spend what you have to.

Man, with the MCAT, fees, interviewing, secondaries, etc... this really makes me want to make sure that I have it ALL right with on my first cycle. One cycle seems torturous, I can hardly imagine a 2nd one (at least in the next season after failing).

 

[MT Headed]

My suit was 200 bucks, I sent secondaries to 9 schools, and I had two flights. Drove to other interviews. For my two flights, I paid 20 bucks a night in hawaii at a hostel and stayed for free with a student host at the other school. Anyone who pays "5000-10000" dollars during an application cycle is ******ed

I seriously did look into driving to interviews, but I had an interview in North Dakota followed by an interview in Reno that same week. I live in Montana and had an interview in Boston.

I must be nice to live with medical schools within 500 miles of you, but some of us do not have that luxury.

 

[thlaxer]

You must have flown first class to the interviews, unless Harvard paid for the tickets.

I wish . I'm not usually one to splurge so I used Megabus whenever the travel time wasn't too ridiculous. Still, unless you're only flying to a couple of schools, airfares are going to take a fair amount of your budget. I could've saved some money if I stayed with student hosts though, but chose to go with international houses and budget hotels instead (guaranteed bed, time to do whatever the night before, etc.). Total hotel costs was around $2.5k I think.

 

[circulus vitios]

I have about $10,000 saved up for this coming application cycle. Depending on my MCAT, I'll probably apply to 25 schools. If blow through all $10k and I don't get in, I'm going to blow a gasket.

 

[tn4596]

I wish . I'm not usually one to splurge so I used Megabus whenever the travel time wasn't too ridiculous. Still, unless you're only flying to a couple of schools, airfares are going to take a fair amount of your budget. I could've saved some money if I stayed with student hosts though, but chose to go with international houses and budget hotels instead (guaranteed bed, time to do whatever the night before, etc.). Total hotel costs was around $2.5k I think.

that is ridiculous, i guess that is reasonable if you are interviewing at big metroplexes and if you are staying a few day before/after. i stayed at small motels and their price range from $60-$100 per night. I also only stay one night only and leave immediately after the interviews.

 

[La Presse]

Wow. I am about to start my sophomore year and I just simply do not have this kind of money laying around.

 

[seahawks2013]

alllllergic to broke

 

[MedPR]

Well, the title was just a clever rouse for people to click on it. It is 1:40 AM and my friend just told me that the cycle is becoming a pain for him, in terms of the financial engagements purchasing secondaries, traveling to places and such.

I was just wondering how much money you guys have spent on this and previous cycles.

So far this cycle I'm probably somewhere near $3400.

$22 for transcripts
$650 for suit + tayloring + shoes.
$1500 for primaries (AMCAS/AACOMAS)
$1200 in secondaries (still haven't received them all)

 

[MedPR]

My suit was 200 bucks, I sent secondaries to 9 schools, and I had two flights. Drove to other interviews. For my two flights, I paid 20 bucks a night in hawaii at a hostel and stayed for free with a student host at the other school. Anyone who pays "5000-10000" dollars during an application cycle is ******ed

Not everyone can drive to interviews and not everyone has the luxury of only submitting 9 secondaries. There are no "hostels" in Hawai'i. I grew up there, I know. Your flight alone to Hawai'i was probably near $1k. Again, I'm from Hawai'i. Can't BS me on anything Hawai'i related.

 

[imymemine]

My 2011 cycle: 14 complete apps, 9 interviews (nearest being 2k miles away, I lived in WA), 7 nights in hotels, 1 car rental, requisite $ for food and bus/trains

...spent a little under $5k. Not counting the ~5 days I wasn't paid at my job because I ran out of vacation and personal days. I'm actually pretty proud of myself for getting everything done for that price.

I penny pinched as much as possible: stayed in cheap hotels when I couldn't get a host, took public transpo instead of cabs, and tried to group 2-3 interviews together for my trips out east when possible. I avoided the expensive Thanksgiving and Christmas travel holidays. Most flights were booked with Southwest.

I saved up $ from working to pay for apps...but if you really are broke and can't get money to attend an interview, I would suggest telling the school. I have heard of at least one instance where the school helped an interviewee with her travel costs so she could make it.

There is also an AMCAS waiver which covers fees for up to 14(?) schools if you cannot pay--and I believe some schools will waive their secondary fees.

*edit: another piece of advice, some hotels provide free shuttle service to and from airports and to and from hospitals (which is where our interviews are). I would always ask about this.

 

[circulus vitios]

Not everyone can drive to interviews and not everyone has the luxury of only submitting 9 secondaries. There are no "hostels" in Hawai'i. I grew up there, I know. Your flight alone to Hawai'i was probably near $1k. Again, I'm from Hawai'i. Can't BS me on anything Hawai'i related.

I've never stayed in a hostel, but aren't they typically dorm-type setups? Kind of the last place I'd want to stay when I'm interviewing for something as important as medical school.

 

[1289]

dont alot of schools have a student host program for the night before? I never did that because it sounds painfully awkward to me. but you could save money that way too

 

[rubisco88]

Wow, how is a broke college student supposed to pay for that? Do you guys take out loans or something? I was hoping I was going to have to spend $5K MAX, which is still a lot to me.

Probably why the average matriculant's parental income is 100k+. This weeds out most of the poor people I guess. Even with primaries paid for through FAP, you still end up paying for secondaries and flights.

I'm lower income and I don't think I'd be able to afford to apply to 20 schools out of state. I'm glad I live in TX!!

 

[OREdwardsJR]

Probably why the average matriculant's parental income is 100k+. This weeds out most of the poor people I guess. Even with primaries paid for through FAP, you still end up paying for secondaries and flights.

I'm lower income and I don't think I'd be able to afford to apply to 20 schools out of state. I'm glad I live in TX!!

Pardon my french but **** that, time to rob some banks or something.

 

[Slack3r]

I have about $10,000 saved up for this coming application cycle. Depending on my MCAT, I'll probably apply to 25 schools. If blow through all $10k and I don't get in, I'm going to blow a gasket.

Oh wow, for some reason I was under the impression you were an M2 or so.

Or don't apply to 25 schools during your first cycle if you aren't confident lol

Strong advice from a pre-med that hasn't even taken bio yet. 🙄

 

[imymemine]

I've never stayed in a hostel, but aren't they typically dorm-type setups? Kind of the last place I'd want to stay when I'm interviewing for something as important as medical school.

Agreed, I found it hard enough to sleep the night before an interview and in general recommend cheap hotel stays over a host's couch. The extra $50-100 for a hotel is well worth it in my opinion, especially if they provide shuttle services. The only only hosts I stayed with were either family members or close friends.

 

[MaenadsDance]

Frankly, all this talk about whether or not it's better for your mental health to stay in a hotel or not is irrelevant - if, god willing, I get an interview, I will get there the cheapest way I can (factoring in time off from work as money lost) and stay in the cheapest place I can, because I am not made of money and neither are my relatives.

 

[La Presse]

Frankly, all this talk about whether or not it's better for your mental health to stay in a hotel or not is irrelevant - if, god willing, I get an interview, I will get there the cheapest way I can (factoring in time off from work as money lost) and stay in the cheapest place I can, because I am not made of money and neither are my relatives.

I was thinking about that too. Anyone ever stay in a Holiday Inn on an interview trail?

 

[Slack3r]

Frankly, all this talk about whether or not it's better for your mental health to stay in a hotel or not is irrelevant - if, god willing, I get an interview, I will get there the cheapest way I can (factoring in time off from work as money lost) and stay in the cheapest place I can, because I am not made of money and neither are my relatives.

The most expensive place I stayed was at VCU and I stayed in a colonial converted to a bed and breakfast that was within walking distance to the school. Cost me $70 for the night. There are plenty of cheap options if you look (I recommend hotels.com).

One thing to be aware of (which I wasn't for the first several interviews) is to try and stay as close as possible to the school. Saving $30 on a hotel won't matter when it costs you $40 for the cab ride to the interview in the morning. I learned this the hard way.

 

[ZapadniyRus]

You could always stay at a hostel if you're interviewing in a bigger city. I've been looking into traveling to New York for break and you could find a place to stay for ~$15 a night easy.

 

[ur2l8]

Megabus for traveling is all I gotta say. If you have no dineros

 

[thlaxer]

I was thinking about that too. Anyone ever stay in a Holiday Inn on an interview trail?

Holiday Inn and Howard Johnson were both pretty good.

that is ridiculous, i guess that is reasonable if you are interviewing at big metroplexes and if you are staying a few day before/after. i stayed at small motels and their price range from $60-$100 per night. I also only stay one night only and leave immediately after the interviews.

Yeah, I interviewed mostly in major cities. I found some "cheap" hotels in Chicago and New York ($65-$160), but wasn't able to do the same for the ones in Boston 🙁. My 2 one-night stays in Boston cost something like $700 altogether (even the B&B's were expensive).. Flying to places like Ohio also cost a fair amount.