What does it cost to apply to medical school?

[InNotOf]

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Between AMCAS, secondaries, interviews, etc. for the average applicant, what does it cost?

 

[kirexhana]

Between AMCAS, secondaries, interviews, etc. for the average applicant, what does it cost?

MCATs (including prep course) = $1500
25 Primary applications = $880
25 Secondaries = $2000
13 Non-consecutive Interviews (flight, hotel if not staying with student) = $2500.

Getting into medical school (one day) = priceless

 

[NoSoupforYou13]

For AMCAS, primaries, secondaries, and travel (hotels, flights, etc.) probably $1000-$3000+. However, this amount depends on the number of schools one applies to and the number of interviews one receives. It really varies depending on the applicant. There are ways to cut corners though, i.e. overnights with current students.

 

[Rafa]

Kirexhana's numbers aren't those of the average applicant at all. For one thing, the average applicant doesn't take prep courses for the MCAT. So instead of $1500, bring that number down to $250.

Secondly, the average applicant does *not* apply to 25 schools. The primary app for schools is $30, so multiply that by the number you'd like to apply to.

Again, 25 secondaries isn't average. So that number is also inaccurate. Figure $75 per secondary.

Again (broken record), the average applicant does not have 13 non-consecutive interviews. So that number (yet again) is also off.

Bottom line, put aside between $1000 and $3000 for the application process. Keep in mind that when all is said and done, you're going to pick *one* school. So don't spend money on schools you wouldn't go to if your best friend put a gun to your head. That's just paying for insecurity, and it'll detract from your applications to schools you'd really like to go to, since (if you apply to a bunch of schools) you'll have to divvy up time and money between the schools you're really interested in, and the schools you're applying to because you didn't do your research. The final cost will depend on a number of things, including how much time you put into the process of deciding where you'd really like to go.

 

[lyn2006]

Also, one thing you can look into is the Fee Assistance Program through aamc's website. It significantly decreases what you'll have to pay, although it is difficult to qualify. might as well check though.

 

[snobored18]

So I didn't qualify for fee assistance and I applied to 14 schools total.

Essentially the break down goes like this.

14 primaries $150 + $30 X 14 = $570
14 Secondaries @ ~ $60 each = $840
went on 8 interviews (was able to double up most of them) airfare was around $250 for eah flight hotel room around $70 bucks so i'd say ~$1800 for travel and lodging (i didn't count gas from when I borrowed a care from home...my parents picked that up because i didn't fill up the tank...oops).

I didn't use an MCAT prep class and I borrowed all but one book which i think was $30. So I think for a typical applicant you are looking at around $3,300 just to apply...now I've spent probably another $500 to hold seats but at least I get the majority of that back...its an expensive expensive process

 

[DrBowtie]

Don't forget ~$200 to take the MCAT, sending transcripts, Interfolio (if needed).

 

[Conqueror]

For me:

MCAT + TPR course: $1700 (1450 course plus 250 MCAT late registration)
28 Primaries: $960
21 Secondaries: $1750
Interview expenses x 4 schools: ~$1000 (really x 3 schools, since one interview was at my current institution and I just walked there from the dorms)

All told, when you include other small expenses, I've spent roughly $6,000 out of pocket on apps. I was lucky to get into my first choice early in the season; it allowed me to decline a number of interviews, thus saving me many hundreds of dollars in travel expenses.

CQ

 

[chandelantern]

Including everything (from MCAT prep to interview clothes to hotels/transportation) I spend $10,000. I'm not lying.

Yes, I am from California and applied to
-33 schools on the primary (150 first school, 30 every school after that);
-sent in secondaries to 30 schools (around 75 average);
-19 interview offers (only went to 8, but had bought tickets to east coast schools before I found out I was in...and some tickets I bought late so they were expensive!)

This 10k included a suit and accesories, briefcase, carry-on garmet bag, transportation to the airport from home, airfare, taxis, hotels, meals while on interviews, thank you cards, etc. Also my letter service at my school (175). It's a crazy amount of money, but I don't regret it at all. Eventually I'll be able to pay it all back!

 

[kirexhana]

Kirexhana's numbers aren't those of the average applicant at all. For one thing, the average applicant doesn't take prep courses for the MCAT. So instead of $1500, bring that number down to $250.

Secondly, the average applicant does *not* apply to 25 schools. The primary app for schools is $30, so multiply that by the number you'd like to apply to.

Again, 25 secondaries isn't average. So that number is also inaccurate. Figure $75 per secondary.

Again (broken record), the average applicant does not have 13 non-consecutive interviews. So that number (yet again) is also off.

Bottom line, put aside between $1000 and $3000 for the application process. Keep in mind that when all is said and done, you're going to pick *one* school. So don't spend money on schools you wouldn't go to if your best friend put a gun to your head. That's just paying for insecurity, and it'll detract from your applications to schools you'd really like to go to, since (if you apply to a bunch of schools) you'll have to divvy up time and money between the schools you're really interested in, and the schools you're applying to because you didn't do your research. The final cost will depend on a number of things, including how much time you put into the process of deciding where you'd really like to go.

these numbers aren't off, i'm just saying what i spent on my process. i was speaking for myself, not the average applicant, because i don't know what the average is. it's up to the op to decide if he/she wants to pay the same thing.

and as for number of schools that you should apply to, it all depends on the individual. you can't say that for those that are weaker academically to only apply to 10 schools, get one interview and not get in.

 

[ShyRem]

It is not uncommon to spend $5K on med school applications, including testing fees, primary fees, secondary fees (most of my secondaries were $100 each), suits, shoes, accessories, plane tickets, food, hotels, taxis, etc. Personally, as a two time applicant, I've spend about $8K including both application periods. I have heard horror stories of folks spending $10K for ONE application cycle.

Let's not forget the cost of moving all your stuff once you get in. Haven't done that yet, but I also have an entire house full of stuff, a husband, and two kids to move. This is gonna be expensive.

 

[MarzMD]

.........Secondly, the average applicant does *not* apply to 25 schools. The primary app for schools is $30, so multiply that by the number you'd like to apply to.

......

Actually its like 160 for the first application, and 30 for each additional school. I would say a conservative number for 10-12 schools and 4 interviews would be between 2000-4000.