Medical student · Top-percentile MCAT scorer
Last updated: September 2026
Quick answer: Before medical school even starts, applicants typically pay for MCAT prep, the $355 MCAT registration fee, AMCAS application fees and secondary application fees. Tuition then adds tens of thousands of dollars a year, and more at private schools (AAMC).
As most medical students know, attending medical school can be quite expensive, often costing thousands of dollars annually for the tuition alone. Therefore, most students focus only on the costs involved when they finally attend.Â
However, some students tend to overlook the fees they need to pay when applying to a medical school. From the prep materials to the exam fees, the costs of applying can add up pretty quickly. This is especially true if you’re looking to apply to several schools.
So, how much does applying to med school really cost? In this article, you’ll learn more about the med school application process and how much it will cost you.
Reviewer’s takeaway — Nathan M. (Medical student · Top-percentile MCAT scorer)
Separate MCAT preparation and application expenses from tuition and living costs. Check Fee Assistance eligibility before buying official preparation materials.
| What you pay for | When | Notes from this guide |
|---|---|---|
| MCAT preparation | 6–12 months before applying | Courses, books and question banks — the single most variable cost, from almost nothing to several thousand |
| MCAT registration | At booking | $355, reduced to $145 under the AAMC Fee Assistance Program |
| AMCAS primary application | Application year | Charged per school, with an initial fee covering the first; FAP waives it for a set number of schools |
| Secondary applications | After primaries are screened | Required by most schools and charged individually — this is where budgets usually break |
| College service fees | Application year | Transcript requests and registrar charges |
| Other expenses | Throughout | Travel, interview clothing, CASPer-type assessments and score reports |
Keep exam and application costs in a separate line from tuition and living expenses, and check Fee Assistance eligibility before you spend anything — it changes the MCAT fee and the AMCAS waiver together.
MCAT Preparation
One of the primary expenses you need to account for when applying to a medical school is how much it would take to prepare for the MCAT. After all, before you can even apply to your school of choice, you’ll first need to take the Medical College Admission Test (MCAT).
However, if you want to score high on this exam, you’ll need to prepare adequately for it. Of course, there are numerous ways you can prepare for the MCAT. Some of them don’t even have to cost a dime.
Nevertheless, some prefer enrolling in test prep services, ranging from 160 USD to 2,000 USD. In-person and live, intensive prep courses can cost even more, with the most immersive live-instruction programs now reaching as high as 7,300 USD.
The good news is there are many free and low-cost MCAT resources that can help you prepare for the exam without breaking the bank. First, however, you’ll need to sort through the numerous resources available as not all of them are comprehensive enough.
Taking the MCAT: Exam Fees
If you’re done with the preparation period, next comes taking the actual test itself. Nowadays, there are other fees you need to pay when taking the MCAT, but most are more concerned with the registration fee.
Right now, the standard registration fee for the MCAT is 355 USD. Unlike in past years, the AAMC no longer charges a separate, higher fee for registering close to your test date — instead, changing your test center or date after you’ve registered is what triggers extra reschedule or cancellation fees, covered below.
Additionally, this is only if you live in the US. If you’re taking the test outside the country, you’ll need to pay an additional international testing fee of 130 USD. This means you’ll be spending around 400 to 500 USD to register for the exam.
Aside from these, they can also charge you additional fees should you decide to change your test center or exam date. These reschedule and cancellation fees are no longer suspended — they now range from about 55 USD to 210 USD depending on how close to your test date you make the change, and cancelling entirely gets you a partial refund rather than the full fee back.
You should also note that these fees can increase annually. Hence, it’s best to double-check beforehand, so you’re not taken by surprise by the higher costs.
Suppose you don’t have the financial capacity to pay all the MCAT exam fees. In that case, you can check if you qualify for AAMC’s Fee Assistance Program. If you do, you’ll only have to pay 145 USD for the registration fee, along with other perks.Â
Medical School Applications
After the MCAT, you can now proceed to the actual application process. This might be the most expensive part of the process, as there are several fees you need to pay when applying.Â
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Primary Application Fee
Most medical schools in the country use AAMC’s centralized application service, the American Medical College Application Service®. They charge an initial application fee of 180 USD for the first school, with an additional 48 USD for every succeeding school you apply to.
It’s a convenient way of submitting your applications to your medical schools of choice, but you should note that not all med schools use the service.Â
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Secondary Application Fee
Next, you’ll have to worry about your secondary application as most medical schools in the country require this as part of the process. Secondary applications come with their own set of fees, and these vary from school to school.
The good news is if you qualified for AAMC’s Fee Assistance Program, some schools would waive the secondary application fee. This is usually good for up to 20 schools of your choice. Still, you should check with your chosen school if you want to be sure.
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College Service Fees
Most medical schools will require your undergrad transcripts too, and many college registrars charge a small fee for this.Â
They also sometimes charge fees for any recommendation letters you need for your application. Again, it’s best to check with your previous school to be sure as the policies can vary from school to school.
Other Expenses
The previous sections were just some of the primary expenses you need to consider when applying to medical schools. However, it would be best not to neglect the other incidental costs you need for the process.Â
Some of these include:
- Access to AAMC’s online database, the Medical School Admission Requirements (MSAR), which costs around 33 USD for a 1-year subscriptionÂ
- Travel and accommodation expenses when undergoing medical school interviews
- Appropriate attire for interviews
- Campus visits
- Acceptance deposits
- And more
Final Thoughts
While most students focus on how much it would cost to attend medical school, some overlook the costs involved in the application process. Some applicants can spend more than 10,000 USD for the application process alone.
If you’re tight on budget, more budget-friendly resources can help ease some of the financial burdens.Â
You can also check if you qualify for the Fee Assistance Program. This won’t just reduce your exam fees but also provides several benefits like complimentary access to the MSAR database, free access to test prep materials, and more.
The MCAT is one of the first costs on this list; see our breakdown of how much the MCAT costs.
Keep preparation costs separate
List exam registration, study materials and application fees separately from tuition and living expenses. Check Fee Assistance eligibility before buying AAMC preparation products, and budget for the number of schools you intend to apply to.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does it cost to apply to medical school?
Costs vary with how many schools you apply to. Primary AMCAS fees, secondary application fees at each school and interview travel add up quickly, so budget per school, not just for the first application.
Are there fee waivers for medical school applications?
Yes. The AAMC Fee Assistance Program reduces the MCAT fee to $145 and waives AMCAS fees for a set number of schools. Many schools also waive secondary fees for approved applicants.
