Medical School Application Cost

Please note: If the cost of med school applications is a barrier for you, please be aware that there are fee assistance programs available! This guide will also point out potential options and alternatives because we believe your ability to become an exemplary physician should not depend on your financial situation.

How much does the MCAT cost?

• MCAT registration
  • Standard cost: $335 
  • AAMC Fee Assistance Program (FAP)*: $140
• MCAT prep courses
  • Standard costs: As of 2024, third party prep courses range from $1500 to $5000. Additionally, the AAMC provides two free practice tests, and four “low-cost” practice exams that are $35 each. 
  • AAMC FAP: This program provides free access to MCAT prep materials
  • Unfortunately, MCAT prep is one of the largest financial burdens for applicants, and not everybody will qualify for FAP. It may be helpful to contact your school or reach out to your mentors. Your school or certain pre-med organizations may have a group discount on prep courses or low-cost tutoring available. You may also be able to find a locally based private or group tutor. 
  • Choose your MCAT exam date carefully! Re-scheduling your test date within 60 days of your exam will incur hefty fees. 

*The AAMC fee assistance program is for those with extreme financial limitations. Students must meet certain income requirements and be either a US citizen or a legal resident of the US or its territories. Please refer to the AAMC Fee Assistance Program website for full details. 

Med School Primary Application Cost

• Primary application fee: 
  • Standard costs: If you apply using AMCAS, $175 for the first school, and $45 for each additional school. If you apply through AACOMAS, you will be charged $195 for the first school and $35 for each additional school. 
  • AAMC FAP: You will receive a waiver for all AMCAS fees for ONE application cycle. This covers 20 medical school submissions. 
• Medical School Admission Requirements online database
  • We highly recommend this resource as the gold standard and a must-have for creating your school list. 
  • Standard cost: $28 for a one-year subscription, $36 for a two-year subscription
  • AAMC FAP: You will receive a free two-year subscription
• College transcript fees
  • Schools usually charge anywhere from $10-30 to transmit your transcripts. Some schools may also charge a fee for transmitting your letters of recommendation.

Cost of Secondary Applications

• Once you submit your medical school primary application, schools send out secondaries (a request for additional essays or more information) to applicants. Some schools have a minimum requirement that students must meet before they send these out. Some are not discriminatory and will send a secondary to every applicant. It is best to be conservative and assume you will receive a secondary (and therefore, a fee) for every school you apply to.

• Standard cost: Secondaries cost anywhere between $80-120. Assuming you apply to 25 schools and receive 25 secondaries, your overall cost would be around $2500.

• AAMC FAP: Most but not all schools will waive the secondary application fee for applicants who qualify for FAP. We strongly recommend proactively reaching out to schools once you receive a secondary and asking about their policy. 

Medical School Interview Costs

• Since the COVID-19 pandemic and as of the 2024 admissions cycle, all interviews have been held on a virtual platform. It seems likely that this change is permanent, but impossible to predict. Assuming virtual interviews, the cost will largely be dependent on you and what you feel you need to succeed: 
• Possible costs: 
  • Reliable laptop/desktop: Chances are, you’ll be able to use a laptop/desktop that you already own. It is worth it to have a reliable device for interviews. If your device is not reliable, it may be helpful to speak to your school about laptops you could borrow or rent.
  • Reliable Wi-Fi: Consider an ethernet cord if your Wi-Fi has historically been unstable.
  • Ring light: Lighting is everything when it comes to virtual interviews! You can usually buy one online for $25-50. 
  • Second look costs: If a medical school offers an in-person tour and you may be interested in attending, make sure you plan for the cost of plane tickets, hotel room, and food.

Medical school application fees are a huge financial burden on top of an already incredibly difficult and competitive process. Careful budgeting and planning can help mitigate some of this burden. We hope this guide gives you an idea of what is to come and can serve as a helpful resource!