The Real Costs of Pursuing your Medical Dream
We know applying to med school, residency and fellowship programs can carry a high price tag. We’re here to talk about the nitty-gritty costs of applying to medical school and beyond, and how your Scrub Sisters have your back.
Breaking down the Costs: Before You Even Pay for School
MCAT: first up, the MCAT. Its’ the grand entrance exam to MD and DO schools and will set you back around $300. Add in some prep materials and you’re looking at over $500.
Primary Application Fees: the American Medical College Application Service, or AMCAS, is a centralized medical school application clearinghouse. For 2024, the AMCAS primary application fee is $175 for sending materials to one school and $45 for each additional school. This is similar for MD and DO schools. The average student applies to 15-16 schools.
Secondary Application Fees: these can range from $75 to $100 per school.
Transcript Fees: Don’t forget about those college registrar transcript fees- they can add up to $10 per transcript.
Interview/Admitted Student Visit Travel Costs: get ready to spend $700 to $1,500 per school for interview and travel expenses if the school or hospital is not local. Even with most interviews being virtual these days, you’ll likely visit at least one school at some point.
Interview/School visit attire: dress to impress, right? Well, that can cost anywhere from $200 to $500.
Acceptance Deposits: the moment you get the golden ticket, your acceptance letter (congrats BTW!), you might have to put down a deposit, which can range from $500 to $3,000.
Med School Kits: the tools of the trade don’t come cheap. That otoscope, ophthalmoscope, stethoscope, pen light, tuning fork and cool doctor bag will set you back between $500 and $750. And don’t forget some more for that precious white coat for the ceremony.
Relocation Costs: If you’re moving to a new city for training, you’re looking at around $3,000 and likely a lot more!
Add it all up, and this part of the process can run you anywhere between $5,000-$10,000! Ouch!
This is where the Scrub Sisters Future Doc Fund comes in. The Future Doc Fund hopes to ease the financial burden of applying to MD/DO school, residency, and fellowship programs. It’s our way of saying “We’ve been there, and we’ve got your back!”
Applicants: Let’s Get You Some Support
If you’re ready to apply to the Future Doc Fund, we’re here for you. To apply, check out the criteria below:
You’re a member of the Scrub Sisters.
You’re a student in good standing at an accredited undergraduate school, MD/DO school, or residency program in the US. Gap year is perfectly OK.
For need-based scholarships, you’re currently receiving or have received financial aid in the past. We’ll have some merit-based scholarships as well.
You complete the application by the deadline.
Donors and Allies: How You Can Make a Difference
We can’t do this alone. We need your support to make the Future Doc Fund a success. If you’re interested in supporting our program and making a tax-deductible donation or becoming an ally, we’d love to have you on board.
Become a Scrub Sisters Sponsor/Ally
A Scrub Sisters sponsor or ally is a company or individual, of any gender, who actively supports, advocates for, and promotes the goals of the Scrub Sisters. Your support can make a big impact and can help increase access to a career in medicine to someone who might not otherwise have it. Here’s how to fund a need:
$250: Helps a student cover the cost of the MCAT
$500: Helps a student/trainee with the cost of primary and secondary application fees to medical school/residency programs.
$1,000: Helps a student with the cost of books and supplies for medical school.
$2,500: Helps a student/trainee cover the cost of travel, food, lodging, and transportation for medical school, residency, or fellowship interviews.
$5,000: Helps a student/trainee cover the cost for admitted student campus visit and acceptance deposits.
$7,500: Helps a student/trainee cover the cost of relocating to a new city for medical school, residency, or fellowship
$10,000: Helps a student/trainee cover the cost of applying to medical school/residency or fellowship as well as interview and relocation costs.
Let’s support one another and make those dreams of becoming a Future Doc a reality!