How Much Does It Cost to Apply to Medical School in 2027?

Applying to medical school can cost thousands of dollars before tuition ever enters the picture.

For 2027 applicants, expenses can include the MCAT, primary application fees, secondary applications, situational judgment tests, transcripts, interviews, and other school-specific costs.

There is no single price that applies to everyone. Your total depends heavily on how many schools you apply to, which application systems you use, and which additional tests or interviews your schools require.

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Medical School Application Costs at a Glance

AMCAS, AACOMAS, and TMDSAS have different fee structures, so applicants applying to both MD and DO programs or to Texas schools may pay fees to more than one application service.

1. AMCAS Application Fees

Most U.S. MD programs use the American Medical College Application Service (AMCAS).

For the 2027 AMCAS cycle, the fee is:

• $180 for your first medical school
• $48 for each additional medical school

Taxes may also apply depending on location.

For example:

• 10 schools: $612
  20 schools: $1,092
  30 schools: $1,572

That is only the primary application. It does not include secondary application fees charged by individual medical schools.

2. AACOMAS Application Fees

Students applying to U.S. osteopathic medical schools generally use AACOMAS.

For the 2026-2027 cycle, AACOMAS charges:

• $198 for the first DO program
• $60 for each additional program

Applying to 20 DO programs would therefore cost:

$198 + (19 × $60) = $1,338

Applicants considering both MD and DO schools should remember that AMCAS and AACOMAS charge separately.

3. TMDSAS Application Fee

Many Texas medical schools use the Texas Medical and Dental Schools Application Service (TMDSAS).

TMDSAS has a much simpler fee structure: $235 flat application fee

That fee allows applicants to select as many participating TMDSAS schools as they choose. TMDSAS currently does not offer an application fee waiver.

Applicants applying both within and outside Texas may still need to pay for AMCAS or AACOMAS separately.

4. MCAT Cost

The MCAT is another major expense.

For 2026 testing dates, standard registration costs $355.

Applicants approved for the AAMC Fee Assistance Program currently pay $145.

Students testing outside the United States, Canada, or U.S. territories also pay a $130 international fee.

Rescheduling can add another:

• $55 if changed at least 60 days before the exam
• $110 if changed 30 to 59 days before
• $210 if changed 10 to 29 days before

Planning your test date carefully can therefore save hundreds of dollars.

5. AAMC PREview

Some medical schools require or recommend the AAMC PREview professional readiness exam.

For the 2026 testing year:

• Registration: $105
• Rescheduling: $25

Applicants approved for AAMC Fee Assistance receive their first PREview registration for $0 and a 50% discount on subsequent registrations.

Not every school uses PREview, so check your school list before paying for it.

6. Casper

Some medical schools use Casper, another situational judgment assessment.

Requirements and fees can change by admissions cycle and program. Before registering, check your target schools and use Acuity Insights' current dates and fees tool rather than assuming you need the test.

Taking an assessment that none of your schools require is an unnecessary application expense.

7. Secondary Application Fees

Primary applications are only the beginning. Many medical schools send applicants a secondary or supplemental application and charge an additional fee. These fees are set individually by schools.

For example, current osteopathic supplemental fees vary even among programs. Meritus School of Osteopathic Medicine charges $100, while the University of New England College of Osteopathic Medicine currently charges $55. This is where costs can grow quickly.

If you applied to 20 schools and hypothetically paid an average of $100 per secondary, that would add another $2,000.

That $100 figure is simply a budgeting example, not a national average. Check the actual secondary fee for every school on your list.

What Could Applying to 20 MD Schools Cost?

Consider a hypothetical applicant applying to 20 AMCAS schools who takes the MCAT and PREview.

This still does not include:

• Interview travel
• Transcripts
• MCAT preparation
• Professional clothing
• Additional tests
• School deposits
• Other personal expenses

That illustrates why applicants should build an application budget before deciding how many schools to target.

8. Interview Costs

Interview expenses vary more than almost any other part of the application.

Virtual interviews may cost very little.

An in-person interview could require:

• Flights
• Hotel accommodation
• Local transportation
• Meals
• Professional clothing

Before booking anything, check whether the school offers virtual interviews or student-hosted accommodation.

Travel costs can increase considerably if you receive several interviews across different states.

9. Other Costs Applicants Forget

Smaller expenses can also accumulate.

These may include:

1. Transcripts: Your college may charge for official transcript delivery.
2. MCAT preparation: Books, question banks, practice exams, courses, and tutoring can range from free resources to substantial additional spending.
3. Application attire: You may need professional clothing for interviews.
4. Acceptance deposits: Some schools require a deposit after admission.
5. Second-look visits: Visiting schools after acceptance may involve another round of travel expenses.

Not all applicants will face every one of these costs.

How to Reduce Medical School Application Costs

The most effective way to lower costs is to apply strategically rather than simply submitting more applications.

Start with a realistic school list based on your:

• GPA
• MCAT
• State residency
• Experiences
• Program mission fit
• MD or DO preference

Students can also use meaningful pre-med experiences to determine whether medicine is the right career before investing heavily in applications. Go-Elective's Pre-Health and Pre-Med Internships provide supervised exposure to healthcare environments for students exploring medicine.

AAMC Fee Assistance Program

For eligible applicants, the AAMC Fee Assistance Program can substantially reduce costs.

Current benefits include a reduced $145 MCAT registration fee and AMCAS fee assistance.

For the 2027 AMCAS cycle, approved applicants receive a waiver covering one AMCAS submission with up to 20 medical school designations, currently worth $1,092. Benefits are not retroactive.

That last point is important.

Apply for fee assistance before paying AMCAS or registering for services if you may qualify.

AACOMAS Fee Waiver

AACOMAS also offers a limited number of fee waivers. For the current cycle, the waiver covers the initial $198 application fee. Applicants remain responsible for the $60 fees for additional program designations.

Approved waivers are valid for only 14 days, including weekends and holidays, and availability is limited.

Should You Apply to 30 Medical Schools?

More applications do not automatically mean better odds.

For AMCAS alone, applying to 30 schools costs $1,572 in primary fees before secondaries.

If many of those schools are unrealistic because of residency restrictions, academic profile, mission, or other admissions factors, you may simply be spending more money without meaningfully improving your chances.

A well-researched list is usually more valuable than an unnecessarily long one.

Final Thoughts

So, how much should you budget to apply to medical school in 2027?

There is no universal total, but the basic expenses can exceed $3,000 fairly quickly for an applicant applying broadly once primary applications, secondaries, and testing are combined.

For 20 AMCAS schools alone, the primary fee is currently $1,092, and that is before paying a single secondary application fee.

The best approach is to create a budget before application season begins.

Calculate your primary application fees, research actual secondary fees at your target schools, determine which tests you genuinely need, investigate fee assistance early, and leave room for interview-related expenses.

FAQs About Medical School Application Costs

#1. How much does AMCAS cost in 2027?

The 2027 AMCAS fee is $180 for the first school and $48 for each additional medical school designation, plus applicable taxes.

#2. How much does it cost to apply to 20 medical schools through AMCAS?

Applying to 20 AMCAS schools costs $1,092 in primary application fees before secondaries, testing, or other expenses.

#3. How much does AACOMAS cost?

For the 2026-2027 cycle, AACOMAS costs $198 for the first DO program and $60 for each additional program.

#4. How much does TMDSAS cost?

TMDSAS currently charges a flat $235 application fee, regardless of how many participating programs you select.

#5. How much does the MCAT cost in 2026?

Standard MCAT registration is $355. Applicants approved for AAMC Fee Assistance pay $145.

#6. Can you get medical school application fees waived?

Yes. The AAMC and AACOMAS both offer fee assistance for eligible applicants. AAMC Fee Assistance can waive AMCAS fees for up to 20 schools, while the current AACOMAS waiver covers the initial $198 application fee.

Article Details

Categories

Recent Articles , Med Schools, Pre-health,

Author: Tatina Himes

Date Published: Sep 2, 2026