The FLEECING of a Medical Student.......

I dislike being taken advantage of. And that is what this feels like. Medical School is EXPENSIVE. Unlike undergrad, where there are forms of financial aid to pad the blow, med school is a whole different beast.

$35,000 a year.....that is how much money we are taking out, for SCHOOL ALONE. This is not to mention the fact that this year I have been unable to find a job, so we also had to take out money to live on.

Many people argue, "Well, you are going to be a doctor, you will have the means and ability to pay it back!" And while this is true, it is a bit unfair. Yes, doctors do make a good living, especially those that specialize - however, for those that do not specialize (Nate is currently thinking the family medicine route...) it is going to be like graduating from medical school in such a deep hole of debt that you can't see your way out. For bang for your buck, it is MUCH wiser to pursue an MBA and work your way to the top of a business, not be a doctor.

If this were all, I wouldn't be complaining. But I feel the need to share this little bit of info.

For people familiar with the med school process, you know that at the end of the second year, the students must take Boards to become certified and continue to the next step. Nate will be taking this in the spring.....and the cost....are you ready? Over $500 - for an EXAM! And NOT AN OPTIONAL one. Doesn't it seem like if it isn't an option it should be worked into the $35,000? Heck, make it $36,000 and it doesn't sound so bad.....$500 for an 8 hour 1 day EXAM....

Then, it gets BETTER.......in order to do well on the exam, you need to purchase the study materials and question bank......it costs an ADDITIONAL $400!!!

Shhhhh.......if you listen carefully you can hear our credit card screaming and crying from my purse, half a house away.......

So, to recap.....basically $1,000 for 6 months of torture and awful studying. I can promise you we could have found WAY more fun ways to spend $1,000......

Dear Lord, please let us have enough money to pay our mortgage after this. Otherwise Nate will be studying in a van, down by the river........

Oh well, Nate, Hans, and I would be ok in the van down by the river.....it just doesn't seem like the most glamourous place for a future doctor, don't you think??