Medical school is a costly undertaking. The American Association of Medical Colleges (AAMC) reports the average cost of a United States Allopathic medical school (private vs. public and resident vs. non-resident student). These figures include “tuition, fees, and health insurance.”
- Resident at a public school: $54,928
- Resident at a private school: $68,574
- Non-resident at a public school: $99,014
- Non-resident at a private school: $69,224
Student Doctor Network has a helpful application cost calculator that can be customized to your unique situation. Everything is considered from the Fee Assistance Program (FAP) to registering for the MCAT. Here is a look at the expenses you can typically expect when applying to medical school
- Preparing for the MCAT
The MCAT is the standardized exam that one must take in order to gain acceptance into medical school. There are many methods in which to prepare for the MCAT. You can self-study, take an online review course, an in-person review course, or any combination that works best for you. The SDN Medical School Application Cost Calculator will help you determine the best study method for your time frame, budget, and learning preferences.
- Register for the MCAT
The MCAT registration fee is different depending on when you register. Late registration (as defined by the AAMC) is less than 3 weeks before the exam date and costs an extra $55. Standard registration for the MCAT costs $315. Registering for the MCAT exam is one of the most straight-forward parts of a medical school application.
- Application Fees
Each application service—AMCAS (allopathic medical schools), AACOMAS (osteopathic medical schools), and TMDSAS (Texas medical and dental schools)—has a fee associated with the initial application. AMCAS charges $170, which includes one school for free; each additional school is $39. AACOMAS charges $195 for the initial application, which also includes 1 free school; each additional school is $45. TMDSAS charges $165 for the initial application, which sends the application to ALL Texas medical schools.
Additional charges that can add up in this category include the Medical School Admission Requirements (MSAR) guide. This book is extremely valuable when creating a school list, as it provides percentiles of MCAT scores as well as GPA and other important factors for previously admitted applicants and those who have matriculated to each school. It is important to note that the MSAR only lists allopathic medical schools. Additionally, letters of recommendation can be stored with companies such as Interfolio for students who might not be applying to medical school immediately after graduation. While the letters are stored for free, there is a fee that you pay once in order to have a certain number of deliveries. - Secondary Applications
Secondary applications vary largely from one school to the next. Some schools have no secondary, while others might have long, complex prompts that require hours of thoughtful work. Some schools might charge nothing for a secondary while the next school might charge $150+.
- Interview Attire
Congratulations! You have made it this far in the process… it’s no time to take unnecessary risks. For your medical school interview, a suit is highly suggested. Gentlemen should wear a tie. There are many resources available to consult for ideas on what to wear to your medical school interview. Plan to spend anywhere from $100-$300 on a suit and shoes for your interview.
- Interviews
Almost there! Getting an interview is an excellent achievement. It shows that you have the academic ability to be successful in medical school, and that admissions committees want to see who you are as a person! Interviews can be pricey as the cost of transportation, hotels, and food adds up quickly. But that does not mean that there are not ways to save. Consider driving rather than flying if you live in a more remote area. Additionally, if you are fortunate enough to receive multiple interview invitations, try to group them so that travel is more convenient for you. When on the interview trail, some schools will offer for you to stay with a “student host.” Not only will they have the inside scoop on what the school is really like, but this will often mean free accommodations.
I hope this article has provided a thorough overview of not only the cost of applying to medical school, but of the Student Doctor Network Medical School Application Cost Calculator as well. I personally have utilized it, and it was a great tool to help me plan ahead and modify my budget to include my medical school application fees.
Emily Millet works full-time as a paramedic and has been involved in EMS for 6 years. She graduated college in 2017 and is preparing to apply to medical school during the upcoming application cycle. She enjoys baking, trying new restaurants, and spending time with family.