VCU In-state tuition analysis

[Shejeboshease]

here is the link:
http://www.medschool.vcu.edu/finaid/07-08MDbudgets.htm

wow, almost $54,000 for the first year in-state students is quite expensive. i understand, about $25,000 for tuition, but over $3000 for books, about $13,500 for room & board...are these all normal? although the total cost also include 4000 for transportation and about $4000 for everyday expenses.

i guess i am surprised because because i was under the impression that since vcu is a state school, i'll get out after four years with only a total debt of 80 grand. since i got 0 savings, i guess thats not gonna happen.

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[the10isplyr]

Holy crap. 54 grand?! that's crazy

 

[LaMusicienne]

I think VCU grossly overestimates the cost of attendance. Considering the tuition ($25,000 for 2007-2008), it's ridiculous when you compare it alongside UVA, where the estimated budget is $50,000 and UVA's tuition is MUCH higher ($31,000 for 2007-2008):
http://www.healthsystem.virginia.edu/internet/financial-aid/costs.cfm

Living-wise, Richmond is more expensive than Charlottesville, but I refuse to believe that it's more than the difference in tuition between the two schools, plus an extra $4000.

 

[njbmd]

You are likely not going to spend $3,000 for books nor are transportation costs going to be $4,000 and everyday costs going to be $4,000. If you live close enough to bike (Richmond is a very bikable city) and you utilize the reserve copies in the library of texts, you don't need to buy every book that comes along (use syllabi more than books anyway). You will need to live somewhere and having a roommate can decrease your housing costs. You are going to be spending loads of time in the library/study room/lab during first year so that you don't need loads of stuff at home. The basic, bed, kitchen, desk (if you want to study at home sometimes) will likely do. You don't have loads of free time so you don't need thousands for entertainment. Ditch the telly (won't have much time for it anyway)and utilize the school athletic center for fitness (keeps you more efficient).

The school budgets so that you can borrow the max and live fairly comfortably if need be. Doing things that cut costs is a great idea. You may already have some things that you can use such as laptop, binders, book shelves etc. Borrowing the max can be problematic too as you end up a high amount of debt on which interest accrues during residency. Keep expenses as low as possible. While you can't do much about tuition and fee costs, you can take an objective look at just how much stuff you actually need and cut from there. Richmond isn't the most expensive city in which to live but it isn't cheap either.

What the school budgets doesn't mean that those will be your actual costs. See where you can trim and do so.