Suggestions for covering application costs...

[MrsJ2011]

Forgive me is this has been asked before, but I’ve been searching the forum and haven’t found anything yet…
For non-trads who are taking and retaking courses post-bacc, what resources have you used to finance your classes and the costs associated with the application process?

Due to class scheduling and availability, it’s likely that I will be taking courses at two different institutions in the spring. Since I am not a degree-seeking student, I basically only qualify for private student loans. While this is fine for covering tuition and books-the schools will not certify the loan amount for additional costs such as living/transportation/med school apps/etc. In undergrad, I always received loans and grants in excess of just the cost for tuition/fees/books, but I guess it doesn’t work that way post-bacc, unless you’re full time.

Suggestions?

***note**at this time I cannot use credit cards and do not qualify for a personal loan. I think that will change by the time application season starts next year (I'm working hard right now to pay off my current debt), but I am trying to plan for the future. Also-of course I will be saving money for the anticipated costs, but again-planning for the future as right now my budget is very tight.

Thanks in advance!

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[Zelda840]

I always wonder this when people are like "apply broadly". How? Even if you qualify for assistance for the actual application fees, how do people pay to travel all over the country? I barely had enough $$ for a suit to go to my one in-state interview.

 

[MedWonk]

I ultimately submitted secondaries to 23 schools. Most of them didn't invite me, so in a way that saved me money. Another is that I mainly applied to schools within driving distance. I had two interviews that were really far. I attended one and withdrew from the other because I didn't want to go broke. It was a bit of a risk since I didn't have an acceptance yet, but I figured I had enough interviews that I was likely to get in somewhere. The easiest way to save on interview expenses is to apply to schools close to home, but obviously this will be biased towards certain regions of the country (Living in the Northeast is a huge advantage in this regard). If, unfortunately, you only have a few schools that are within driving/bus distance, then I would probably work full-time for a year before applying.

 

[hawkbit]

Some people have more money than others, some have significant others that (can) help out. Some work full time (like me) and take CC courses because anything else is just to darn expensive. I think apply smartly is a better strategy. Find schools that match your inclinations and ECs (and stats) and target your statements/secondaries toward their mission. For example, I am interested in rural primary care, I will be applying to schools that emphasize this, and will be able to talk about my small town experiences and the needs of physicians in those areas.
So for those that can't "apply broadly", pick some schools that have missions you can target, find and do ECs that match your target schools (type of EC or location) so that you have experiences that you can relate in your statements/secondaries/interviews.
Obviously, more schools are better, but I dislike the "shotgun" approach.

Caveat Emptor- I am not an expert.
Do your Best!

 

[MrsJ2011]

Thank you everyone! It's definitely not easy, especially if travel is necessary for interviews.. I'm currently working full time and planning to sell my car next month, which will free up some money since it's still financed. Also hubby graduates with his degree next semester so hopefully *fingers crossed* he will get a good job offer. So things are looking good-BUT-as we all know, things can happen and completely screw up our plans
Thanks again!

 

[MrsJ2011]

Hahaha Zelda I laughed so hard at your comment because that is EXACTLY how I feel... From courses to app fees to interview attire and on and on and on.. Sheesh!

 

[Beargryllz]

I always wonder this when people are like "apply broadly". How? Even if you qualify for assistance for the actual application fees, how do people pay to travel all over the country? I barely had enough $$ for a suit to go to my one in-state interview.

You can go to school and work. You don't just have to do one or the other.

 

[DrMidlife]

This is tough to manage, yes. Unfortunately, on top of finding financing for prereqs, you have to also figure out what to do with that financing when you're in med school. There's no med student budget for non-deferrable private student loan payments or credit card payments or car payments etc.

As others have said, you should consider a plan where you work part time and take classes part time, or otherwise stretch things out so that you are not accumulating debt that can't be managed while you're in med school.

Also consider doing a 2nd bachelors, which allows for a bit more aid as a degree-seeking status. Also consider getting employed at one of these schools so that you get free tuition.

Best of luck to you.

 

[MrsJ2011]

This is tough to manage, yes. Unfortunately, on top of finding financing for prereqs, you have to also figure out what to do with that financing when you're in med school. There's no med student budget for non-deferrable private student loan payments or credit card payments or car payments etc.

As others have said, you should consider a plan where you work part time and take classes part time, or otherwise stretch things out so that you are not accumulating debt that can't be managed while you're in med school.

Also consider doing a 2nd bachelors, which allows for a bit more aid as a degree-seeking status. Also consider getting employed at one of these schools so that you get free tuition.

Best of luck to you.

The 2nd bachelors is not something I have considered, though it might be a good idea since I am already planning to retake 4 or so classes.. It would certainly make the financing portion much easier. At this time I had just planned to apply to OOS DO programs, since I can do grade replacement.. (I'm a TX resident and TCOM does not participate in AACOMAS).. wondering if doing the second bachelors would make me a better candidate for MD schools in my state. Sure would be nice to get that in-state tuition!

Thanks for the ideas... definitely gives me some things to think about.

 

[Zelda840]

Hahaha Zelda I laughed so hard at your comment because that is EXACTLY how I feel... From courses to app fees to interview attire and on and on and on.. Sheesh!

...and the mcat fee and the prep books and the practice tests. I was literally scraping up $35 at a time to get more tests. I can't even imagine having $2000 laying around for a prep course.

Unfortunately I don't have any great advice. It's been a really tough road for me financially so far. I tutor and clean houses here and there and I spend at least two full days each quarter researching and applying for scholarships. Other than that, I just keep putting one foot in front of the other and hoping for the best.

 

[michigan1212]

Here is something to help with expenses. Sign up for a credit card that gives you 60,000 rewards miles. I flew half way across the country for one interview and had five other interviews and never once paid for a hotel or vehicle rental.

 

[sjv]

Here is something to help with expenses. Sign up for a credit card that gives you 60,000 rewards miles. I flew half way across the country for one interview and had five other interviews and never once paid for a hotel or vehicle rental.

Yeap, churning points/miles is the way to go.

 

[michigan1212]

Yeap, churning points/miles is the way to go.

I didn't pay for my flight either, but had to cancel my remaining interviews because I ran out of miles.

 

[MrsJ2011]

Here is something to help with expenses. Sign up for a credit card that gives you 60,000 rewards miles. I flew half way across the country for one interview and had five other interviews and never once paid for a hotel or vehicle rental.

That's a good idea! Hadn't thought of that.. Any suggestions for cards that have a generous points system?

 

[sjv]

That's a good idea! Hadn't thought of that.. Any suggestions for cards that have a generous points system?

You can get 100k miles on American by signing up for the Citi personal and business one which nets to 4 round trip flights in the US, it isn't the best use of miles but if you need it to go to interviews then by all means use it. Chase United Explorer gives 50k which is 2 round trip flights. If your credit history is good, you can sign up for Chase Freedom and Chase Sapphire Preferred which is over 75k pts which transfers 1:1 to United for 3 round trip flights.

 

[MrsJ2011]

Thank you!!

 

[Dral]

Get a saving plan now and stick to it. Throw what little you can into savings weekly...or something.

It only gets worse. I spent over $5000 applying and interviewing for residency. $2000 of it was applying.

 

[cabinbuilder]

Alaska airlines has a great mileage plan too. Doesn't anyone have to work through college anymore? Dang I worked 2 jobs while going full time.

 

[QofQuimica]

In general, your options (outside of borrowing money) are to work more, spend less, sell things you don't need, or do some combination thereof. The biggest expenses that most people have are housing and transportation. So yeah, if you can ditch the car, that should really help. If you can take on a roommate/sublet a room, that would really help. I did that. I also took on an additional part time job working for Kaplan and was therefore able to take the MCAT prep course for free.

 

[MrsJ2011]

Alaska airlines has a great mileage plan too. Doesn't anyone have to work through college anymore? Dang I worked 2 jobs while going full time.

Yep, I also worked two jobs plus extra odd jobs through college and work full time now with the occasional extra weekend shift. I am also married and at this time the "breadwinner" for my husband and I (and I use that term loosely, lol). When you're already scraping by and see thousands of dollars needed in the future you kinda have to plan for these things

So like I said, hopefully once he's finished with his degree we will be able to increase our income dramatically. We also just moved into a tiny apartment a couple months ago to save on rent.. Selling the car, saving etc, just trying to plan for the future and avoid getting into unnecessary debt if at all possible.. while at the same time being able to focus on making good grades this time around and scoring well on the mcat

 

[michigan1212]

You can get 100k miles on American by signing up for the Citi personal and business one which nets to 4 round trip flights in the US, it isn't the best use of miles but if you need it to go to interviews then by all means use it. Chase United Explorer gives 50k which is 2 round trip flights. If your credit history is good, you can sign up for Chase Freedom and Chase Sapphire Preferred which is over 75k pts which transfers 1:1 to United for 3 round trip flights.

I have the Citi American rewards card. I got 60,000 miles for signing up.

 

[MrsJ2011]

Thanks again to everyone who has responded. I know everything will work out in the end with a little hard work and lots of planning! I tend to worry about thing.. probably more than I should. But you all have given me some ideas that I hadn't thought of, which is what I was looking for.
Hope everyone has a nice Thanksgiving!