Applying to medical school isn’t just academically demanding—it’s financially demanding, too. From the moment you sign up for the MCAT to the final round of interviews, the costs can quickly add up. Whether you’re applying to MD (allopathic) or DO (osteopathic) schools—or both—understanding the full scope of expenses is key to avoiding financial surprises during the application cycle.
Let’s break down how much it costs to apply to medical school, including exam fees, application fees, secondary applications, interview costs, and more.
The Cost of Applying to Medical School
Taking the MCAT
Before you even start thinking about your medical school personal statement, you’ll need to take the MCAT. There are a few fees associated with the MCAT, although most people will only have to worry about the registration fee. The MCAT costs $345. If you’re taking the MCAT outside of the U.S. or Canada, you’re required to pay an International Registration fee of $125 on top of the normal MCAT registration fee. You’ll also have to pay fees if you decide to reschedule your MCAT or change your test center. MCAT exam fees can increase yearly, so it’s important to double-check them when AAMC releases MCAT dates.
If you are unable to pay the MCAT exam fees, you might qualify for the AAMC Fee Assistance Program (FAP). Test takers who are eligible for the FAP can register for the MCAT at a reduced fee of $140.
✅ MCAT Exam Fees Overview
- MCAT Registration Fee: $355
- MCAT FAP Reduced Rate Registration Fee: $145
- MCAT Registration Additional International Fee: $130
- MCAT Rescheduling Fees: $55-$210
- MCAT FAP Reduced Rate Rescheduling Fees: $25-$85
You’ll also need to consider the cost of MCAT prep. This will look different for every student. Some might borrow materials from friends and purchase practice MCAT exams to prep on their own, while others will need an MCAT prep course or a private MCAT tutor. If you qualified for the FAP, you’re in luck—Blueprint MCAT offers scholarships on our courses for FAP recipients!
Medical School Application Fees
While the MCAT might seem expensive, the bulk of medical school application costs go towards application fees. If you’re applying to M.D. schools, the American Medical College Application Service® (AMCAS) primary application fee is $175 for the first school and $47 for each additional school you apply to. To apply to D.O. schools, the American Association of Colleges of Osteopathic Medicine Application Service (AACOMAS) charges $198 for the first school and $60 for each additional school.
Once you submit your primary application, schools will send you secondary applications, which come with their own fees that vary by school. If you qualified for the FAP, your AMCAS primary application fees are waived for up to twenty schools. Some schools will also waive their secondary fees. The AACOMAS has its own fee assistance program to cover the first application fee for one school, but certain schools will also waive secondary application fees for qualified recipients.
✅ Medical School Application Fees
- AMCAS Primary Application (M.D.) Fees: $175 for the first school + $47 for each additional school
- AMCAS Primary Application (M.D.) FAP Fees: Waived for up to 20 schools
- AACOMAS Primary Application (D.O.): $198 for the first school + $60 for each additional school
- AACOMAS Primary Application (D.O.) Fee Waiver Fees: Initial $198 waived for the first school only
- Secondary Application Fees: $50–$150 per school
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Casper and AAMC PREview Fees
An increasing number of medical schools now include behavior-based exams, such as the Casper or AAMC PREview, as a key component of their application process. These exams assess non-cognitive skills, such as communication, empathy, and professionalism, that are crucial for success in the medical field.
✅ Supplemental Exam Fees
- AAMC PREview Registration Fee: $100
- AAMC PREview FAP Reduced Registration Fee: $0 for first registration; 50% discount for subsequent registrations
- AAMC PREview Reschedule Fee: $25
- AAMC PREview FAP Reduced Reschedule Fee: 50% Discount
- Casper Registration Fee: $85, includes distribution to 7 schools + $18 per additional distribution
Additional Fees
Once you’ve applied to medical school, you will (hopefully) receive interview invitations. Some will be in-person interviews held on campus at the schools you applied to. If you applied to out-of-state schools, budget for the travel expenses (flight and hotel) to attend these interviews. Not to mention, you might have to buy new interview clothes or “professional” attire, especially if the past four years have been spent running around your undergrad campus in leggings or sweatpants. Aside from medical school application fees, there are other incidental costs to factor in. It’s strongly recommended to understand the medical schools you are applying to. AAMC collects all this info in the Medical School Admission Requirements™ (MSAR®) online database, which costs $36.
Some universities also charge a fee to send your transcripts to medical schools. You’ll also need to decide how you want to collect and send your Letters of Recommendation. Many students use services such as Interfolio, which costs around $60/year.
How Do I Pay for Medical School Application Costs?
With fluctuating fees, it’s hard to know what the average cost of applying to medical school is, especially in a given year. However, it adds up. If you know or think you might want assistance paying for the MCAT or medical school applications, make sure you apply to fee assistance programs as soon as they’re open. They can dramatically reduce the cost of applying to medical school and remove this obstacle from your path so you can focus on your MCAT prep and crafting a competitive application.
Free MCAT Resources
Don’t overlook all the free MCAT resources available to you to help you prep on a budget.
- Sign up for a free Blueprint MCAT account to build a free MCAT study plan, take a diagnostic test, and receive a free MCAT full-length exam with access to answers, explanations, and powerful performance analytics.
- Sneak some MCAT prep into your daily routine by signing up for our free MCAT Question of the Day emails.
- Join in on some free MCAT review sessions and get medical school admissions advice during our free premed webinars.
Final Thoughts
Applying to medical school is a huge investment—not just of your time and energy, but also of your money. The process can be surprisingly expensive, especially if you’re applying to many schools or traveling for interviews. But by planning ahead and budgeting smartly, you can minimize financial stress and focus on putting your best foot forward.
If you qualify, don’t hesitate to use resources like the AAMC Fee Assistance Program to help keep costs down. And remember, the ultimate goal is to become a successful physician and make a positive impact in the world. Keep that in mind as you navigate through the application process and stay motivated. By staying organized, sticking to your study schedule, and seeking support when needed, you’ll be well on your way to achieving your dream of becoming a doctor.
No matter where you are in the premed journey, Blueprint MCAT is here to support you every step of the way with expert MCAT prep and admissions consulting.
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