Traveling to II

Discover Your Odds of Getting into Medical School
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I am ecstatic to be getting IIs, but as someone on a very tight budget, my latest II requires driving 11 hours each way to the school for the II. Total travel time on the road will be 22 hours+, and total mileage will be 1500 miles+. Rental, bus, plane options blow my budget, so I will be using my 15 year old vehicle.

For inspiration, anyone who has driven excessively, either a rental or personal vehicle to an II, please share how far (mileage-wise) and/or duration (time-wise).

This is not a complaint!

Thanks!!!
 
How confident are you about your personal vehicle making it that far? Do you foresee it having any problems driving all that way? If not, that's the best decision. A rental is deceivingly expensive when you factor in the the daily fee, additional mileage fees, underage fee (<25 years old), and a security deposit (can be $200-$300, although it's refunded after you return the car). I rented a car for an interview and took it 700 miles (approximately 9 hours) and paid approximately $160. I opted to take a rental because I wasn't confident my car would do well over that distance (had a history of engine issues). Remember though, there are some applicants out there who would crawl 1500 miles if given an II! Best of luck!
 
DV-T said:
I am ecstatic to be getting IIs, but as someone on a very tight budget, my latest II requires driving 11 hours each way to the school for the II. Total travel time on the road will be 22 hours+, and total mileage will be 1500 miles+. Rental, bus, plane options blow my budget, so I will be using my 15 year old vehicle.

For inspiration, anyone who has driven excessively, either a rental or personal vehicle to an II, please share how far (mileage-wise) and/or duration (time-wise).

This is not a complaint!

Thanks!!!
Click to expand...
Just curious, what school is giving out interview invitations already??!

Sent from my XT1650 using Tapatalk
 
RocketSurgeon41 said:
How confident are you about your personal vehicle making it that far? Do you foresee it having any problems driving all that way? If not, that's the best decision. A rental is deceivingly expensive when you factor in the the daily fee, additional mileage fees, underage fee (<25 years old), and a security deposit (can be $200-$300, although it's refunded after you return the car). I rented a car for an interview and took it 700 miles (approximately 9 hours) and paid approximately $160. I opted to take a rental because I wasn't confident my car would do well over that distance (had a history of engine issues). Remember though, there are some applicants out there who would crawl 1500 miles if given an II! Best of luck!
Click to expand...

Agreed. I am very happy for the II and wish every applicant the best of luck in this cycle!
 
Your case seems quite excessive. I drove 6 hours each way for an interview and I thought that was unbearable.

Are you absolutely sure you couldn't get a train or plane ticket on the cheap? Just doing a quick calculation - say your 15-year old vehicle gets 22 mpg (old cars tend to be gas guzzlers but if you get really good mpg, then that obviously changes things!). Driving 1500 miles total would use up roughly 70 gallons of gas and at $2.50 a gallon, that's $170 right there. Plus whatever parking fees you'd pay once you were there. Is there no way you can find a plane ticket for around $200?
 
Just a couple of observations:

How ready for an interview will you be the day after an 11 hour drive? Will this require 2 overnights (day before and day after interview) and does the school offer hosts for two nights or will you need to pay for a hotel? Flying/riding a bus can be cheaper than driving if it saves you one night in a hotel.

What if the car breaks down? Are you prepared for that expense and for the cost of continuing your journey in a rental or some other way? (I've had that experience... had to leave the car in a shop 200 miles from home and continue in a rental we picked up our car a week later on our way home & dropped off the rental but it was a huge strain and we lost a day of our vacation). Will you be in highly populated areas all the way or will some areas be very lightly populated and harder to extricate yourself from if you should have a breakdown on the road?

A rough calculation is that just the gas for this journey will run you about $150. Is it really the least expensive option?

Do you have a credit card that offers miles or "rewards"? Could you qualify for one? Some people have suggested getting a no-interest for x months credit card and paying it off before interest begins accruing. With enough interviews, you can earn a free flight, get cash back, etc.
 
aldol16 said:
Your case seems quite excessive. I drove 6 hours each way for an interview and I thought that was unbearable.

Are you absolutely sure you couldn't get a train or plane ticket on the cheap? Just doing a quick calculation - say your 15-year old vehicle gets 22 mpg (old cars tend to be gas guzzlers but if you get really good mpg, then that obviously changes things!). Driving 1500 miles total would use up roughly 70 gallons of gas and at $2.50 a gallon, that's $170 right there. Plus whatever parking fees you'd pay once you were there. Is there no way you can find a plane ticket for around $200?
Click to expand...

Yeah. I did the calculations for rental, bus, and plane and it eats up my budget (including lodging, food, etc). If I could get a ticket for <$225 to this particular II, I would book it. But because the II is about 2 weeks out from the time I received it, the tickets costs roughly >$450 without the extras for lodging, uber/taxi, food, etc.

In total, I estimate that I will be putting a minimum of 3500 miles on my car this cycle, if I receive anymore IIs from the schools I think I have a shot at.
 
DV-T said:
Yeah. I did the calculations for rental, bus, and plane and it eats up my budget (including lodging, food, etc). If I could get a ticket for <$225 to this particular II, I would book it. But because the II is about 2 weeks out from the time I received it, the tickets costs roughly >$450 without the extras for lodging, uber/taxi, food, etc.

In total, I estimate that I will be putting a minimum of 3500 miles on my car this cycle, if I receive anymore IIs from the schools I think I have a shot at.
Click to expand...


Slow down... ask if you can schedule the interview after August 22 to save on airfare (just heard that prices are dropping after kids go back to school and family vacation season ends). Schools know that this is an expensive proposition and they will be willing to work with you. You must be a hot prospect to have an interview so early in the cycle... you have room to negotiate.
 
LizzyM said:
Just a couple of observations:

How ready for an interview will you be the day after an 11 hour drive? Will this require 2 overnights (day before and day after interview) and does the school offer hosts for two nights or will you need to pay for a hotel? Flying/riding a bus can be cheaper than driving if it saves you one night in a hotel.

What if the car breaks down? Are you prepared for that expense and for the cost of continuing your journey in a rental or some other way? (I've had that experience... had to leave the car in a shop 200 miles from home and continue in a rental we picked up our car a week later on our way home & dropped off the rental but it was a huge strain and we lost a day of our vacation). Will you be in highly populated areas all the way or will some areas be very lightly populated and harder to extricate yourself from if you should have a breakdown on the road?

A rough calculation is that just the gas for this journey will run you about $150. Is it really the least expensive option?

Do you have a credit card that offers miles or "rewards"? Could you qualify for one? Some people have suggested getting a no-interest for x months credit card and paying it off before interest begins accruing. With enough interviews, you can earn a free flight, get cash back, etc.
Click to expand...

Thanks to you and the other posters for all your observations. Unfortunately, driving is the least expensive option. There will be long stretches on the route where my only companion will be tumbleweeds. The school offered a chance to lodge the night with a current student and I emailed the school, but they have not gotten back to me.

I will likely leave 2 days before, giving me enough time to get there. If I must, I will fork over the cost for a motel at the location to freshen up. Otherwise, I will take naps in the car and try driving at night to save on A/C that will decrease my mileage.
 
LizzyM said:
Slow down... ask if you can schedule the interview after August 22 to save on airfare (just heard that prices are dropping after kids go back to school and family vacation season ends). Schools know that this is an expensive proposition and they will be willing to work with you. You must be a hot prospect to have an interview so early in the cycle... you have room to negotiate.
Click to expand...


LOL Thanks Lizzy. Not really a "hot prospect." Just from a "lucky state" where high school football is king.

The school only had two dates available on the portal when I signed in to pick my dates. I clicked on the subsequent months up to December, but nothing was available. The II email indicated that once I pick a date, I cannot change it.

Like the other poster said, some will crawl 1500 miles to get to an II. I am happy to do so.
 
Some ideas I'm considering:
Lodging
-Stay in a camp ground
-Stay with a student
-Couch surfing
-Airbnb room share
-Join homeexchange
-Stay with a friend/friend-of-a-friend/relative/relative-of-friend

Food
-Make your own food, no restaurants
Example: tortilla peanut butter roll ups, fresh produce, ramen noodles, just add water pasta bags, milk and cereal, etc. I mean, we were all college students so we should be on top of our game with cheap eats...
You can use the microwave at truck stops and make your own food

Extra $$
-Take a second job to raise money for the app season. (bartender, mow lawns, babysit...etc)

I applied to two west coast schools and if I get interviews, my family is planning to take a vacation to those places... make it worth the while plus check out the area...

Good luck and congrats on your interview. I'm sure you can make it work!
 
@Hazel-rah said:
Some ideas I'm considering:
Lodging
-Stay in a camp ground
-Stay with a student
-Couch surfing
-Airbnb room share
-Join homeexchange
-Stay with a friend/friend-of-a-friend/relative/relative-of-friend

Food
-Make your own food, no restaurants
Example: tortilla peanut butter roll ups, fresh produce, ramen noodles, just add water pasta bags, milk and cereal, etc. I mean, we were all college students so we should be on top of our game with cheap eats...
You can use the microwave at truck stops and make your own food

Extra $$
-Take a second job to raise money for the app season. (bartender, mow lawns, babysit...etc)

I applied to two west coast schools and if I get interviews, my family is planning to take a vacation to those places... make it worth the while plus check out the area...

Good luck and congrats on your interview. I'm sure you can make it work!
Click to expand...

Great ideas!! Thank you. I will take a cooler with prepared foods and drinks. Good luck to you too!!!
 
Try using skiplagged.com. It's how I found an $80 flight to my one interview. The bus ride would've taken two days. You can't take a carry-on but how much do you really need for a day or two?
 
PiggyPug6 said:
Try using skiplagged.com. It's how I found an $80 flight to my one interview. The bus ride would've taken two days. You can't take a carry-on but how much do you really need for a day or two?
Click to expand...

Thanks! Just tried it. Unfortunately, lowest option was $425.
 
DV-T said:
Thanks to you and the other posters for all your observations. Unfortunately, driving is the least expensive option. There will be long stretches on the route where my only companion will be tumbleweeds. The school offered a chance to lodge the night with a current student and I emailed the school, but they have not gotten back to me.

I will likely leave 2 days before, giving me enough time to get there. If I must, I will fork over the cost for a motel at the location to freshen up. Otherwise, I will take naps in the car and try driving at night to save on A/C that will decrease my mileage.
Click to expand...
If I'm right there have been studies showing that driving with the windows down uses just as much gas as having the A.C. on due to wind resistance. If you want to save gas, the only way to do it is with the windows up and a.c. off.

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G935A using SDN mobile
 
Personal best driving is 15 hours to Washington D.C. on Friday, 15 hours home on Sunday morning. Random trip because I'd never seen the nation's capitol and had a Friday off work. Best advice I can offer is:
1) Sleep like the dead the night before. 9 hours of sleep made the trip alot easier without dozing.
2) Books on tape. Lifesaver.
3) Rockstar Zero. All caffeine, no sugar. Drink them until you can see sounds.
Godspeed.
 
thestudiousmeathead said:
Personal best driving is 15 hours to Washington D.C. on Friday, 15 hours home on Sunday morning. Random trip because I'd never seen the nation's capitol and had a Friday off work. Best advice I can offer is:
1) Sleep like the dead the night before. 9 hours of sleep made the trip alot easier without dozing.
2) Books on tape. Lifesaver.
3) Rockstar Zero. All caffeine, no sugar. Drink them until you can see sounds.
Godspeed.
Click to expand...

Haha. I'll do 1 and 2. I don't think my old heart can handle energy drinks. Thanks!
 
If you already have multiple interviews in mid-July, you are likely going to have many, many, many more by the end of September. Are you planning to just attend a handful of a few favorites?
 
thestudiousmeathead said:
Personal best driving is 15 hours to Washington D.C. on Friday, 15 hours home on Sunday morning. Random trip because I'd never seen the nation's capitol and had a Friday off work. Best advice I can offer is:
1) Sleep like the dead the night before. 9 hours of sleep made the trip alot easier without dozing.
2) Books on tape. Lifesaver.
3) Rockstar Zero. All caffeine, no sugar. Drink them until you can see sounds.
Godspeed.
Click to expand...
Alternatively: Rockstar Recovery. Non-carbonated, no "energy drink" taste.
 
Darn, sorry it didn't work. Keep it in your back pocket for others, just in case!
 
11 hours in the car each way and your username may become reality!

There has to be a way to make it work. Have you researched megabus at all? Use of the student hosting program will save you money for sure and can be a nice insight into the student life. If you absolutely have to drive that long I recommend avoiding caffeine as much as possible. You'll be a zombie the next day, which will be interview day. Anecdotally I found standup comedy and podcasts to be a big help driving >13 hours on a semi-regular basis. Take breaks, and use the AC for heavens sake. You're talking a max savings of ~ $10 in gas if there's a discernible difference in MPG of your car, which I doubt. Myth busters covered this, and if I recall at >40mph you're best off with air conditioner rather than windows.


Sent from my iPhone using SDN mobile app
 
Look at the cities around you and see if it would be cheaper to take a bus to another city and then fly out of that city instead.

Based on your post history, I would recommend checking southwest airlines for flights. They don't show up on third-party sites.
 
Last edited:
efle said:
If you already have multiple interviews in mid-July, you are likely going to have many, many, many more by the end of September. Are you planning to just attend a handful of a few favorites?
Click to expand...

That's wishful thinking. LOL. But yes, if I receive more, I will have to make tough decisions esp to ones where driving is not an option.
 
21Rush12 said:
11 hours in the car each way and your username may become reality!

There has to be a way to make it work. Have you researched megabus at all? Use of the student hosting program will save you money for sure and can be a nice insight into the student life. If you absolutely have to drive that long I recommend avoiding caffeine as much as possible. You'll be a zombie the next day, which will be interview day. Anecdotally I found standup comedy and podcasts to be a big help driving >13 hours on a semi-regular basis. Take breaks, and use the AC for heavens sake. You're talking a max savings of ~ $10 in gas if there's a discernible difference in MPG of your car, which I doubt. Myth busters covered this, and if I recall at >40mph you're best off with air conditioner rather than windows.


Sent from my iPhone using SDN mobile app
Click to expand...

Never heard of megabus, but will look into it. I plan to use stops at fast food joints and gas stations to splash my face awake with water along the way. Great advice about the A/C. Thanks!
 
Nucleophile1 said:
Look at the cities around you and see if it would be cheaper to take a bus to another city and then fly out of that city instead.

Based on your post history, I would recommend checking southwest airlines for flights. They don't show up on third-party sites.
Click to expand...

Hmmm. Never thought of this one. Will look into it. SW was the first site I checked. Thanks!

Edit: Tried busing into another city and fly out from said city. Cost was $385 total for bus and flight. Great saving from $425-450, but still over my $225 allotted budget. However, will use this idea for possible future IIs. Great idea!
 
Last edited:
I drive back and forth from my university and school every break (fall, thanksgiving, winter, spring, Easter, and summer). It's about a 10 hour drive with stops included. I would say its definitely doable!

There's a lot of issues with flying; aside from the ticket itself breaking a tight budget, you have to consider:
1. If the school is in an extremely rural setting (as is the case with many new D.O. schools), the airport you land at probably isn't right next to the school, you'll have to proceed to rent a car, taxi, uber, buy a shuttle ticket, etc. to get to your hotel.
2. After you get to your hotel in the city that the school is in, you have to again pay for transportation from your hotel to the school, unless it's in walking distance or the school provides a shuttle.

It'll be tough, especially after hours 5-6. Definitely sleep well the night before.

I suggest talking with some family/friends over the phone to pass time, listen to music, bring a favorite snack, etc.

It'll help if you can get a buddy to travel alongside with you so you can take turns driving. Your hotel price will probably be around the same for 2 people.
 
@DV-T it might be worth building up a little credit card debt if that allows you to attend more than just a few interviews (or get to your interviews without being a fatigued wreck). This process can be a numbers game and you really don't want to pass on interviews until you get that first acceptance or get to a high number of invites (like 5). Like, a thousand dollars right now is a lot but taking an extra thousand in your first student loan disbursement is a drop in the MD-debt bucket, the typical borrower now hits $190k.
 
SLU Student said:
I drive back and forth from my university and school every break (fall, thanksgiving, winter, spring, Easter, and summer). It's about a 10 hour drive with stops included. I would say its definitely doable!

There's a lot of issues with flying; aside from the ticket itself breaking a tight budget, you have to consider:
1. If the school is in an extremely rural setting (as is the case with many new D.O. schools), the airport you land at probably isn't right next to the school, you'll have to proceed to rent a car, taxi, uber, buy a shuttle ticket, etc. to get to your hotel.
2. After you get to your hotel in the city that the school is in, you have to again pay for transportation from your hotel to the school, unless it's in walking distance or the school provides a shuttle.

It'll be tough, especially after hours 5-6. Definitely sleep well the night before.

I suggest talking with some family/friends over the phone to pass time, listen to music, bring a favorite snack, etc.

It'll help if you can get a buddy to travel alongside with you so you can take turns driving. Your hotel price will probably be around the same for 2 people.
Click to expand...

Plan to do all these things. Thanks for the encouragement!!
 
efle said:
@DV-T it might be worth building up a little credit card debt if that allows you to attend more than just a few interviews (or get to your interviews without being a fatigued wreck). This process can be a numbers game and you really don't want to pass on interviews until you get that first acceptance or get to a high number of invites (like 5). Like, a thousand dollars right now is a lot but taking an extra thousand in your first student loan disbursement is a drop in the MD-debt bucket, the typical borrower now hits $190k.
Click to expand...

Thanks @efle! I do have credit cards that I will not hesitate to carry a balance on if IIs come in that are toooo good to pass up. But for the time being, I have allotted a very tight cash budget for my current state school IIs and possible future ones.

One of the reasons I have committed to attending this II despite the mileage is specifically because I don't have an offer yet, I realize how fortunate I really am to be offered an II, and that there are many applicants out there that would be happy to have this issue.
 
@Hazel-rah said:
Some ideas I'm considering:
Lodging
-Stay in a camp ground
-Stay with a student
-Couch surfing
-Airbnb room share
-Join homeexchange
-Stay with a friend/friend-of-a-friend/relative/relative-of-friend

Food
-Make your own food, no restaurants
Example: tortilla peanut butter roll ups, fresh produce, ramen noodles, just add water pasta bags, milk and cereal, etc. I mean, we were all college students so we should be on top of our game with cheap eats...
You can use the microwave at truck stops and make your own food

Extra $$
-Take a second job to raise money for the app season. (bartender, mow lawns, babysit...etc)

I applied to two west coast schools and if I get interviews, my family is planning to take a vacation to those places... make it worth the while plus check out the area...

Good luck and congrats on your interview. I'm sure you can make it work!
Click to expand...

I rented a SUV and stayed in it for my interview last Friday. It was fun! I went to a walmart bathroom to look good for the interview
 
fourandtwo said:
I rented a SUV and stayed in it for my interview last Friday. It was fun! I went to a walmart bathroom to look good for the interview
Click to expand...

LOL. My car is a mini-SUV, so I can flatten out the back seats and have a readied bed. I've been in Walmart bathrooms, gonna stick to gas station ones. Thanks!
 
A motel room out in tumbleweed country is what, like $45 for a night?

Worth the investment to have a real bed, morning shower/shave and functional mirror as you prep for interview day.
 
Probably a little late for this coming II, but for future ones... Once you have a date scheduled, hop into the school-specific threads and try to find somebody else going the same day to share hotel/rental car expenses with. We're all trying to save a little money in this process and there are always people willing to split with you. If you fly in, then split a $40 dollar rental car 2 or 3 ways, and a hotel room 2 ways, if makes a difference.
 
efle said:
A motel room out in tumbleweed country is what, like $45 for a night?

Worth the investment to have a real bed, morning shower/shave and functional mirror as you prep for interview day.
Click to expand...

Very true. If I don't hear back from the student hosting that the school offered, I will pay for a night at a motel. Thanks!
 
kraskadva said:
Probably a little late for this coming II, but for future ones... Once you have a date scheduled, hop into the school-specific threads and try to find somebody else going the same day to share hotel/rental car expenses with. We're all trying to save a little money in this process and there are always people willing to split with you. If you fly in, then split a $40 dollar rental car 2 or 3 ways, and a hotel room 2 ways, if makes a difference.
Click to expand...

Good idea! I did try this for my first II, but it didn't pan out. But it never hurts to tray again for future possible IIs. Thanks!
 
Drove 7 hours to Indy, stayed the night and then went to my interview the next morning. After my interview, I got on the road and drove 15 hours to Dallas, stayed with a friend and then drove the remaining 5 hours to San Antonio the next morning. Had another interview the next day and then drove 12 hours home. Would not recommend that.
 
allanMED15 said:
Drove 7 hours to Indy, stayed the night and then went to my interview the next morning. After my interview, I got on the road and drove 15 hours to Dallas, stayed with a friend and then drove the remaining 5 hours to San Antonio the next morning. Had another interview the next day and then drove 12 hours home. Would not recommend that.
Click to expand...

One word: WOW!!! Thanks for the sharing!
Edit: I wish you the best!
 
Last edited:
Update:

Total travel time was 26hrs+, 1500+ miles. Car made it without overheating. To increase mpg without using A/C, left at night driving 2/3 of the way in backcountry where there were 20-30 mile spans without lights and cell reception. Nearly hit a buck darting from the highway at 3AM. Unbelievably, total costs for trip including gas/food/1 night motel stay = $224.76. Came under budget by $0.24.:laugh:

School was awesome!

Moral of the story: When there is a will, there is a way! Thanks to all for your thoughts and suggestions!
 
DV-T said:
Update:

Total travel time was 26hrs+, 1500+ miles. Car made it without overheating. To increase mpg without using A/C, left at night driving 2/3 of the way in backcountry where there were 20-30 mile spans without lights and cell reception. Nearly hit a buck darting from the highway at 3AM. Unbelievably, total costs for trip including gas/food/1 night motel stay = $224.76. Came under budget by $0.24.:laugh:

School was awesome!

Moral of the story: When there is a will, there is a way! Thanks to all for your thoughts and suggestions!
Click to expand...
Driving 26hrs to an interview...only in medicine.
 
DV-T said:
Update:

Total travel time was 26hrs+, 1500+ miles. Car made it without overheating. To increase mpg without using A/C, left at night driving 2/3 of the way in backcountry where there were 20-30 mile spans without lights and cell reception. Nearly hit a buck darting from the highway at 3AM. Unbelievably, total costs for trip including gas/food/1 night motel stay = $224.76. Came under budget by $0.24.:laugh:

School was awesome!

Moral of the story: When there is a will, there is a way! Thanks to all for your thoughts and suggestions!
Click to expand...

So much respect. I bet that made a great story for your interviews. Let us know if you get accepted!
 
hubbsbubbs said:
So much respect. I bet that made a great story for your interviews. Let us know if you get accepted!
Click to expand...

Thanks! I am sure there are untold stories out there where applicants have done so much more to make their dreams a reality. Best of luck to everyone!!
 
As requested, looks like my cycle is nearly coming to a successful end.

I have been privileged with acceptances, including from this epic trip's school.

Because of a very limited budget and being the cheapskate that I am, I am also ecstatic to find that my interviews' total costs (gas, lodging, food, etc) for the cycle = $724.03! I feel like I squeezed drops of water from a rock...

Peace and Good Fortune Fellow Pre-Med Travelers!!!

Edit: Initial report of costs totaling $574.03 did not include $150 for a primary app.
 
Last edited:
DV-T said:
As requested, looks like my cycle is nearly coming to a successful end.

I have been privileged with acceptances, including from this epic trip's school.

Because of a very limited budget and being the cheapskate that I am, I am also ecstatic to find that my interviews' total costs (traveling, lodging, food, etc) for the cycle = $574.03! I feel like I squeezed drops of water from a rock...

Peace and Good Fortune Fellow Pre-Med Travelers!!!
Click to expand...


Impressive.
 
Last edited:
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