Applying to medical school is a significant financial investment long before med school tuition becomes a factor. While many pre-meds budget for the primary application, the total cost climbs once secondary application fees, transcript requests, MCAT registration, and other required expenses come into play.
For most applicants, the average cost to apply to medical school can range from $5,000 to $10,000+. That number goes up or down depending on the number of schools you apply to, the number of interviews you receive, test prep expenses, and whether you qualify for fee assistance. Applicants who invest in additional application support may spend even more.
This guide breaks down every major expense associated with the medical school application process, including application fees, testing costs, interview expenses, and overlooked costs. Understanding these expenses can help applicants build a realistic budget before the application cycle begins.
Browse our free Med School Explorer tool to view key stats for each medical school, including GPA/MCAT, tuition, class size, secondary essays, interview format, and more. Filter and compare schools to build a personalized school list in minutes.
Primary Application Fees
The primary application is generally the first application expense most pre-med students encounter. Applicants submit one centralized application through the appropriate application service based on the programs they're targeting. Those are:
- AMCAS for most MD-granting medical schools
- AACOMAS for most DO-granting medical schools
- TMDSAS for participating Texas medical, dental, and veterinary schools
Each service has its own fee structure, and costs may increase as more schools are added to an application.
Expert Tip: As you build your medical school list, we generally recommend applying to 15-30 schools, depending on your goals and qualifications. Taking the time to create a balanced school list can help you focus your resources on programs that are a strong fit and avoid spending money on applications that may not align with your goals.
Read Next: The Med School Journey: Definitions for Becoming a Doctor
AMCAS (MD Programs)
The American Medical College Application Service (AMCAS) is used by most MD programs in the U.S. For the 2026-2027 application cycle, the AMCAS processing fee is $180, which includes one medical school designation. Each additional school costs $48.
For example, applying to 20 AMCAS schools would cost $1,092 in primary application fees alone:
- First school: $180
- 19 additional schools × $48 = $912
- Total: $1,092
Applicants who qualify for the AAMC Fee Assistance Program (FAP) can have their AMCAS processing fee waived for up to 20 school designations.
AACOMAS (DO Programs)
The American Association of Colleges of Osteopathic Medicine Application Service (AACOMAS) is used by most DO programs in the U.S. For the 2025-2026 application cycle, the AACOMAS application fee is $198, which includes one designated college. Each additional designation costs $60.
For example, applying to 20 DO programs would cost $1,338 in primary application fees:
- First school: $198
- 19 additional schools × $60 = $1,140
- Total: $1,338
Applicants who qualify for an AACOMAS fee waiver receive $198 toward their initial application fee. Additional program designation fees are not covered.
TMDSAS (Texas Schools)
The Texas Medical and Dental Schools Application Service (TMDSAS) is used by participating public medical schools in Texas. Unlike AMCAS and AACOMAS, TMDSAS charges one flat application fee of $235, regardless of how many participating schools an applicant selects. There are no available fee waivers.
Important note: Many applicants apply to med school through TMDSAS and AMCAS or AACOMAS, which means they'll still pay fees for multiple application systems during that admissions cycle.
Secondary Application Fees
After submitting the primary application, most medical schools send eligible applicants a secondary application. (The exact timing varies by school, but many schools send secondaries within a few weeks of receiving an applicant's primary application.) These applications typically include additional essays, school-specific questions, and another application fee.
Fees are set by individual schools and vary for both MD programs and osteopathic medical schools, but can range from $30 to $200 per school. Submitting secondaries to 20 schools at a fee of $75 would add about $1,500 to the total cost of applying to medical school.
Some medical schools offer secondary application fee waivers for applicants who qualify based on financial need, but waiver policies vary by school.
Standardized Testing
While not every school requires every exam as part of their medical school admission requirements, most applicants will need to complete the MCAT. Some schools require or recommend additional assessments such as the Casper test or AAMC PREview exam.
These testing costs are separate from primary and secondary application fees, so you need to factor them into your overall application expenses. Here are the estimated costs:
- MCAT: The MCAT registration fee is $335 for 2026 testing dates. Additional fees apply for rescheduling or testing center changes. Applicants who qualify for the AAMC Fee Assistance Program may receive a reduced registration fee of $145. Each MCAT retake means paying the registration fee again, so applicants should factor potential additional attempts into their overall testing budget.
- Casper: The Casper test costs $85, which includes score distribution to up to 9 schools. Additional school distributions cost $20 per school. Rescheduling fees apply if changes are made within 30 days of the scheduled test date. Applicants who qualify for fee assistance programs may be eligible for a fee waiver or discount coupon.
- AAMC PREview Exam: The PREview exam fee is $105. A $25 fee applies for rescheduling. Applicants who qualify for fee assistance may have their testing costs waived on their first attempt.
Beyond MCAT registration fees, many applicants budget for support throughout the application process, including MCAT preparation (MCAT tutoring, practice tests), personal statement guidance, and admissions coaching. These services vary in cost, but many students find that expert guidance helps them build a stronger, more competitive application.
Build your application alongside a physician with AdCom experience.
Interview Travel
While many medical schools offer virtual interviews, some still conduct in-person interviews, which can mean significant travel expenses. For in-person medical school interviews, applicants should budget about $500-$1,000 per school, depending on location, travel arrangements, and other factors. Costs may include:
- Flights or other transportation to the interview location
- Hotel lodging, if an overnight stay is needed
- Local transportation, including rideshares or rental cars
- Professional attire, if you do not already own appropriate interview clothing
- Meals and other incidental travel expenses
The total cost will depend on the number of in-person interviews received, how far you need to travel, and the type of travel and overnight accommodations required.
Additional Costs
Pre-med students should also plan for several smaller medical school application costs that can add up throughout the admissions process. These expenses vary by applicant but may include:
- Transcript fees: Applicants may need to pay fees to send official transcripts from undergraduate institutions, post-baccalaureate programs, or other schools attended. While some schools provide transcripts at no cost, others charge a small processing fee.
- Letter services: Some applicants use third-party letter services to store and distribute letters of recommendation. These services typically involve an additional fee that varies by provider and subscription plan.
- Seat deposits: Some medical schools require accepted students to submit a deposit to hold their place in an incoming class, even if they don’t end up attending that school. Deposit amounts and refund policies vary by school.
- Second-look visits: After receiving an acceptance, some applicants choose to attend second-look events to meet current students and learn more about a program before enrolling. These visits involve additional room and board expenses.
- Application preparation resources: Some applicants invest in additional resources such as admissions consulting, essay editing, interview coaching, or application review services to help strengthen their applications.
FAQs
Applying strategically to schools that align with your academic profile, taking the MCAT once, and taking advantage of fee assistance programs can all help lower expenses. Creating a realistic budget before the cycle begins can also help you prepare for costs that come up after you’ve submitted your primary applications.
Once accepted, you can explore ways to reduce the cost of attending through med school scholarships (even negotiating scholarships), financial aid, and programs connected to the military.
The cost of applying to 30 schools depends on the application service used, the number of secondary applications submitted, and additional expenses like required testing and interviews.
Applying to 30 AMCAS schools costs $1,572 in primary application fees alone for the 2026-2027 cycle. Secondary application fees, standardized testing, interview travel, and other application-related expenses can increase the total cost by several thousand dollars.
Double Your Chances of Admission
The medical school application process is complex and competitive, with important decisions along the way that can impact your chances of acceptance. From building a school list and strengthening your essays to preparing for your MCAT and interviews, having expert guidance can help you navigate each step with confidence.
MedSchoolCoach Advisors include physicians with admissions committee experience who provide personalized support throughout your application journey.
Kachiu Lee, MD
Dr. Lee specializes in BS/MD admissions. She was accepted into seven combined bachelor-medical degree programs. She graduated Summa Cum Laude from Northwestern University and proceeded to Northwestern University’s Feinberg School of Medicine in Chicago, IL. After completing a dermatology residency at Brown University, Dr. Lee pursued a fellowship in Photomedicine, Lasers, and Cosmetics at Massachusetts General Hospital and was a Clinical Fellow at Harvard Medical School. Academically, she has over 100 peer-reviewed publications and lectures internationally.
