The medical field is one of the most noble professions an individual can choose. Doctors dedicate their lives to helping others, and live under the oath: “First, do no harm.” Sadly, the very process of becoming a doctor causes a unique kind of harm to the doctor-to-be – astronomical debt. Between undergraduate work, medical school and residency, the process of becoming a doctor can cost hundreds of thousands of dollars. One recent study shows that the first year of college can cost between $20,000 and $40,000 in tuition and fees alone. Add in living expenses and many who are interested in the field give up before they have even begun.
With a little bit of ingenuity and hard work, however, it’s possible to find alternatives to the massive debt of medical school. Grants and service programs are two possible medical school alternatives that could make it possible for more potential doctors to get the education they need without having to face enormous once they begin work.
Education Granted
The government, as well as some private organizations, offer grants to help defray the cost of a medical education. There are not many of them, and the approval process can be brutal, but grants offer students money for school that doesn’t have to be repaid. Work with your school financial aid office and community leaders to find appropriate programs. Other areas to consider when searching for grant money include state medical associations, the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and minority grant programs.
Service Programs
Another of the excellent medical school alternatives to consider is medical service. Organizations are often willing to repay some or all of a student’s debt in exchange for the student’s contractual promise to perform several years of work for that organization. Rural communities, outreach programs, and some government programs offer this option. Start your working life as a doctor without any debt and look for your dream job a few years later than you planned. Or, perhaps you’ll find a job situation that will become your dream job.
Future Alternatives
Perhaps the best alternative to mounting medical school debt is still little more than a dream. The process of becoming a doctor is somewhat antiquated. Resources such as distance learning, online education, and developmental problem solving have yet to be integrated into the medical education field on a large scale. As technology continues to improve and grow, it is likely that these resources will become an integral part of the education of a new doctor and will lessen the overall cost of a medical education dramatically.
Dedicating your life to the service of others is admirable, but many doctors-to-be are afraid of the mounting costs of education in the United States. Take some time to explore your medical school alternatives, including grants and service opportunities to see what funding is available to you. Have you contacted your state medical board for assistance?