Because I've answered this question more times in the past 5 days than you can imagine, I'm answering it for the last time here.
The entire process of applying to medical school takes about a year. I took the MCAT in April, sent in my primary AMCAS application in July, and just started sending in my secondary apps 2 weeks ago. Some schools won't get around to sending them out to applicants until September sometime, so this could go on for weeks/months. So far, I have 7 secondaries finished and mailed off, and 10 more to go. And that's just the MD programs -- I haven't even started on my AACOMAS application for osteopathic schools. And then of course, there's the European schools... Damn.
After I've sent in my secondary apps, my academic advisor needs to send out my letters of recommendation from the pre-med committee at my university. Last year I had to chase down 3 profs and ask them to write a letter on my behalf. I also have to get one from my advisor himself, since he's been my boss the past year on the cancer study. Once the med schools have received those, and my transcripts, which I already tracked down and sent in, my file is complete and they will decide if they want to interview me.
Now, AMCAS charged me about $75 per school I applied to. I applied to 17 schools. Each school then charges another fee for the secondary apps - they range from $75 to $100 each. On top if that, I need to pay for airline tickets and a hotel to go interview at whatever schools want to interview me. Roughly, we're talking about $5000 just to apply.
Statistically speaking, 1 in 4 interviewees gets an offer of admittance to the school. So ... as long as I get an interview, my chances of an acceptance go up.
Interviews begin at schools in September, but they go until March. Yes - March. So, the earliest I can possibly hear about an acceptance is October/November - but realistically, it can be anytime between then and April. If I get waitlisted at a school, they can call me 3 days before classes begin in July and tell me I've been accepted and it's up to me to pack and get myself to wherever I am going.
That's if I haven't already been accepted somewhere.
Orientation for MS1 students is in July/August (2005), depending on the school.
And then of course there's the dreaded no acceptance situation. If that's the case, then it's the MCAT again in April, and if that doesn't work after another year of this stuff, Plan B is to just finish my masters/PhD and say bite me to med school.
Besides - most Nobel winners have PhDs, not MDs. :)
The entire process, from my requisite pre-med science classes (12 classes x $1500/class = $18,000) to studying for the MCAT (kaplan class x 2 = $3000; MCAT = $300) to applying will have taken me 6 years and will have cost me over $26,000. And that's just to GET IN. Medical school is another 4 years and on average $250,000, and my residency in neurosurgery will be another 7 years on top of that (I get paid for that). All together, I will have invested 17 years and over $275,000 into becoming a brain surgeon. And that does not include the 5 years I spent as an undergrad in the 80's or the 4 years I spent in grad school in the 90's - which I am still paying off. (Now you know why your medical bills are outrageously expensive.)
Now, where did I apply? That is a secret that only my friends and family know.
Which reminds me - I still need to register for fall classes. Cha-ching. Another $1500 out the window.
so, uh, how long's this applications process going to take? and how much is it going to cost?
(I kill me!)
Posted by: eric on August 24, 2004 08:44 AMYou know what I enjoy more? Answering the question, "You sure you want to do this?"
People like that are going to make great practice cadavers someday soon.
Posted by: LA on August 24, 2004 09:34 AMPut a PayPal button on the site and eliminate the need to come out of retirement before med school.
Posted by: Robyn on August 24, 2004 10:48 AMI was thinking I could sell pencils on eBay - you know, the Dixon Ticonderoga kind, or FedEx envelopes, Advil foil packs, Tylenol, bad coffee ...
Posted by: LA on August 24, 2004 11:57 AMHooters...part time.
Posted by: Chrissy on August 24, 2004 12:39 PMI could hook you up with a whole lotta undergrads who would pay you to do their homework. But that would be unethical for me to do as a teacher, so I won't do that (unless I get kickbacks).
Posted by: Chris on August 26, 2004 09:29 AMI'm all about the kickbacks - bring on the co-eds!
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