After successfully completing your undergraduate studies you’re probably wondering what you should be doing financially. You have accumulated some debt from college, so you need to make sure you can financially prepare for medical school as well. This is an important time in your life where you get to learn and grow into your profession; it’s probably a good idea to avoid the added stress of financial problems too. The important thing to do as you transition into medical school is to stay on top of your spending, know your credit score, and set up resources to assist you on your journey to becoming a doctor.
Ways to Financially Prepare for Medical School
First and foremost, do not allow yourself to obtain any more debt. It’s often very tempting for young medical students to take out additional loans and use their federal aid to live a comfortable life, and not financially prepare for medical school. While it is true that you’ll be entering a high-paying field, it’s still not wise to plan your future on your theoretical income. This is a good time to reflect on your current financial situation and seek methods of assistance: scholarships, grants, friends, and family members that can assist you with this major investment.
With the first step in mind, you’ll probably want to gain a firm understanding of your current credit score and begin to financially prepare for medical school. You want to get the best interest rate you can when applying for student loans. This is a great opportunity for you to take a gap year and eliminate your outstanding debts and gain experience by working in a hospital. You want to make sure that all other outstanding personal debt, such as car payments and credit card debt have been paid off, this will help you and your credit score as you apply for student loans for the next four years.
Consider living at home if possible. You may think it’s necessary to have independence from your parents at this age, but the truth is you’re going to be financially responsible for a lot of debts. The best way to deal with your loans is by having a part-time job while attending medical school and having no expenses. Many medical students don’t learn this lesson until entering residency and struggle to financially cope with their debt.
Use every resource at your disposal to financially prepare for medical school. It may be difficult as you study and work hard to become a doctor, but taking the time to achieve these goals now will give you all the necessary tools to make the most out of your career.