How Can You Pay For Med School Apps & INTERVIEWS?

katwkittens
Fri, 10 Jun 2011 08:52:26 +0000

Son stayed with alum from his undergrad on all his overnights for interviews. Since they all had similar undergrad experiences he had a point of reference for their views of the interviewing school.

A flying tip he used extensively was he padded the time he needed to arrive and leave by many, many hours if not days. So if there was a weather delay he would still arive in time, this was especially helpful for the Nov-Jan interviews in the Northeast.

An added benefit to the extra time allowed for him to place himself on the “willing to be bumped if flight is overbooked list” and in exchange for the bump was another ticket (voucher) anywhere that airline flies. Did this several times.

So took a bump for his interview at Cornell, received a voucher. Scheduled his interview at Michigan on a Friday, interview at Harvard on the following Monday and then flew home. So flew to michigan, then to Boston, then home…all on the voucher. Michigan then reimbursed him for his flight…value of the voucher. Let him buy more tickets!

Ticket was originally purchased on Orbitz for cheap, few days before since Cornell doesn’t give much advanced notice for interviews. He combined his Cornell interview with Mt. Sinai interview and stayed with friends, again.

Dartmouth interview was done with residual money in family members Southwest accounts (flew in/out of Boston), ranging from $15-$20 per but added together cost him around $15 out of pocket. Did have to pay for Darthmouth coach but that was the only expense.

Other interviews he could drive to, so gas there and back.

Son did not pay for MCAT prep, just self-studied…bought 1 book to write in, the rest from the library and sitting at Barnes and Noble to use their more up to date versions. Really loud at home to study!

Son did apply to many schools and did qualify for FAP. But had to pay for the schools that exceeded the allowable amount. He saved his money from his previous work-study/scholarships for undergrad and then worked the summer after graduation for a doc and used those funds to pay for the rest.

Had he had to pay for all the airlines at full price it would have been more than he could afford, but as usual he figured a way to make it happen.

App season turned out well for him with some acceptances and will be starting med school in just a few weeks. He was looking to go OOS but our in-state made him feel “very-loved” with a full tuition scholie + laptop and some other goodies…maybe a MPH thrown in.

School is 30 minutes from from home…sooooo I am so VERY happy!!

Good luck with apps/interviews!

Kat