Menu

Office of Pre-Health Advising

Menu

Cost and Financial Resources

Application Expenses

students on UDM campus

Applying to professional health programs requires a significant financial investment. Understanding these costs and planning ahead can help you navigate the process with confidence. 

Estimated Costs of Applying

Pre-health students typically apply to 12–15 schools or more (with 20 being the average number of schools pre-medical students apply to), and total application-related expenses can easily add up to several thousand dollars. Below is a breakdown of common costs:  

Standardized Exams

  • MCAT: $355 registration fee 
  • DAT: $560 registration fee 
  • OAT: $520 registration fee 
  • GRE: $220 registration fee 
  • Casper: $50+ registration fee (varies depending on type of program) 
  • PREview: $100 registration fee

Primary Applications

  • AMCAS (MD): $175 for the first school, $47 for each additional  
  • AACOMAS (DO): $198 for the first school, $60 for each additional  
  • AADSAS (Dental): $264 for the first school, $115 for each additional 
  • AACPMAS (Podiatry): $205 for the first school, $70 for each additional 
  • CASPA (PA): $184 for the first school, $61 for each additional 
  • OptomCAS (Optometry): $187 for the first school, $85 for each additional 
  • PharmCAS (Pharmacy): $180 for the first school, $60 for each additional 
  • OTCAS (Occupational Therapy): $169 for the first school, $71 for each additional  
  • PTCAS (Physical Therapy): $175 for the first school, $75 for each additional 
  • VMCAS (Veterinary): $241 for the first school, $132 for each additional 
  • Other Centralized Services: Fees vary by program 

Secondary Applications

  • Range from $25 to $200 per school, with most averaging around $100 

Interview Expenses 

  • Travel, lodging, meals: $500–$1,500 depending on location 
  • Professional attire: $50–$300 for a suit or business outfit 

Acceptance Deposits

  • $100–$2,000 to hold your seat; some are refundable 

Financial Resources to Offset Costs

Many organizations offer fee assistance programs to help reduce the financial burden of applying to health professional schools. Most fee assistance programs are based on financial need. Find more information on availability and requirements of fee assistance by program below: 

Fee Assistance Programs 

Eligibility for these programs is typically based on household income and federal poverty guidelines.  

Financial Resources to Offset Costs

The high cost of attending health professional schools can be intimidating, with the average cost of medical and dental programs often exceeding $200,000. However, with careful planning and a solid understanding of available financing options, you can prepare for the financial commitment ahead. 

Most students rely on a combination of federal loans, institutional aid, scholarships, and private loan programs to fund their education. There are also state-based and service-based programs that offer financial support in exchange for working in underserved areas or specific fields. 

While the process may seem overwhelming, there are many resources available to help you make informed decisions and manage your educational investment wisely. Here are some scholarship resources to get you started on your research: 

Build Your Foundation
for a Health Career

Office of Pre-Health Advising
Engineering Bldg. RM# 125
Hours: Mon-Fri 8:30 AM – 5 PM
Kia Hart
(313) 993-1928
hartkl@udmercy.edu  

Schedule with a Pre-Health Advisor

Helpful Links

Looking for one-on-one advising? Need help planning your academic path?

From exploring Pre-Health careers to applying and accelerating your program, we are here to advise you every step of the way.
Connect with Pre-Health Advising