<p>PH-- Be aware that except for the military option that Juliette talks about, all other service-based loan forgiveness programs and the NHSC are for primary care physicians only. Surgery is NOT a primary care field. </p>
<p>Primary care fields are: psychiatry, pediatrics, family practice, OB/GYN and general internal medicine.</p>
<p>With the military option your choice of residency will be shaped by the needs of the medical corp of the branch of the military you join. If the Army (or Navy or Air Force) doesn’t need any pediatric surgeons, you will not be able be offered a ped surgery residency and will have to choose some other field.</p>
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<p>You also need to prepare for the costs of applying to medical school.</p>
<p>At a minimum, you will need to pay:</p>
<p>▪ MCAT ($235 per test sitting)
MCAT prep materials and/or prep class (prep classes are $2000 and up; prep books cost $35+ each and you will need several)
official transcripts–one copy from every college you’ve ever attended
AMCAS primary application ($160 for the first school, $35 for each additional school with most applicants applying to 12-20 schools in order to assure they get at least 1 interview)
secondary application fees ($25-$125 per school)
travel expenses for interviews (including plane/train/bus/taxi/shuttle fares, plus meals, lodging and incidentals)
appropriate interview clothing (suit with dress shoes, for both genders)
criminal background investigation fees (mandatory for all accepted students. Typically $65-$125)
another round of official transcripts after graduation showing that you have indeed graduated </p>
<p>There will likely be other expenses along the way, in addition to the above.</p>
<p>AMCAS has very limited FA for students who are eligible for a full Pell grant. It reduces the MCAT to $85 per sitting and waives the all costs for first 12 AMCAS primaries.</p>
<p>There is no other aid that will cover your other costs.</p>