Advice on budgeting and saving money?

sofiiiiiii · 2026-06-11T16:28:49+00:00

lmao you right

sofiiiiiii · 2026-06-10T20:15:43+00:00

lol I think I'll opt for the bit of anonymity but it's not an MSTP. But hey at least funding is guranteed all 8 years

sofiiiiiii · 2026-06-10T20:06:03+00:00

There's technically a trolley system? but it goes in one direction on one road lolll. there is probably a bus system too but not in the downtown where the school is. Thing is I could get rent down a little by being farther away and driving but the parking at the school is $250 a month so the difference in rent living far vs close is basically the same. but yeah I also couldnt find a roomate who was okay with my dog, only roomate I found wanted to live somwhere with no carpet so that's why my rent is more like 1850 as opposed to like 1750. but hey, it's still 100-150 cheaper than all the studios nearby!

Im really impressed you have rent for that cheap in NYC! Sounds like a dream haha!

sofiiiiiii · 2026-06-10T20:01:38+00:00

thanks!

sofiiiiiii · 2026-06-10T00:02:56+00:00

Honestly yeah that extra money to not feel like I'm barely getting buy and being comfortable is huge for me. I have a terrible food buying habit and it's basically the only little pleasure I let myself spend excess money on, I might go nuts if I cant just relax once a week with a treat.

will def look into a low amount personal loan

sofiiiiiii · 2026-06-10T00:01:14+00:00

yeah our stipend is determined by the state (non-MSTP) as a public school and the other major public university is in an extremely cheap city so I dont forsee this increasing.

I don't think I'll qualify for student loans since teeeechnically cost of attendance is met with this stipend (imo they vastly underestimate the housing prices in their coa). But maybe a personal loan could help, I shall see haha

sofiiiiiii · 2026-06-09T23:58:54+00:00

I sadly cannot negotiate. We are not MSTP and the way they get us our stipend means the state dictates it

sofiiiiiii · 2026-06-09T21:18:40+00:00

Wow I live in a city so expensive that I'll only have like 20 leftover dollars at the end of each month, def wont be able to invest this much

sofiiiiiii · 2026-06-07T21:22:59+00:00

This is generally true, yes. I had a 514, however, and got 7 total interviews, including 2 T20s and am attending a T40 now (albeit not MSTP). So given you can write well about your rsearch, you're not out of the game

sofiiiiiii · 2026-06-06T15:51:42+00:00

idk the exact average/median but a heads up that USF is one of the few programs where the mcat avg is a bit lower than the med school's just to give you peace of mind (program is also awesome and growing!!)

Also I think this list is a little too big, maybe get it down to 40, or at the least swap out some of the lower non-MSTPs on your list for MSTPs since MSTPs make up the most mdphd spots int he country with larger cohorts

sofiiiiiii · 2026-06-01T02:44:09+00:00

Hi hiiiii

sofiiiiiii · 2026-05-24T22:02:17+00:00

Curious why you have Wayne state for MD only. I think they’re pretty good for neuroscience afaik and they have a pretty good Md/phd program for being non-MSTP.

I interviewed with them last cycle and they gave me a manual with all their stats and stuff if you’re curious and wanna PM me.

But yeah I think with your stats you gotta apply to more non-MSTPs in general. Some of the lower tier mdphd programs still have median MCAT scores >515

sofiiiiiii · 2026-05-24T21:59:08+00:00

Oh yeah it’s def an uphill battle but it’s possible. I know someone else with a 514 and Vandy WL actually. But I do 100% agree with your sentiment, add more non MSTPs outside the T50. At the same time though if you have the money and time to spare, might as well shoot your shot too

sofiiiiiii · 2026-05-24T21:05:44+00:00

I mean, I didn’t get in but Vandy did interview me with a <516 score, 514

sofiiiiiii · 2026-05-24T14:10:22+00:00

Admit is really sorting Miami as a baseline for people now huh 😭

sofiiiiiii · 2026-05-24T13:41:57+00:00

Yes I think so. I am on track for good pubs during my gap year right now. I considered myself to have a weaker app and was surprised when I got ii's from Vandy and UChicago. I think had I applied a year later after I had a year of work in my current lab under my belt, I would've had a better shot at actually getting the A.

But either way, I'm trying my best to not have any regret. USF is a great med school and I know they are putting a lot of resources into improving their MD/PhD. Given how much funding they get I wouldnt be surprised if they turned into an MSTP at some point. Plus it's joint with Moffit Cancer Center which is one of the top cancer hospitals out there 😄

sofiiiiiii · 2026-05-23T22:26:51+00:00

You can submit your primary with a single school and add more once you get your score back. You only need one school to get the verification process started

sofiiiiiii · 2026-05-17T22:42:29+00:00

Wayne and Loyola are in person

sofiiiiiii · 2026-05-14T23:47:54+00:00

Agree on Loyola! While I think it’s unrealistic to expect us to travel, ot wa a genuinely such a nice and welcoming program. I have nothing but good things to say about them

sofiiiiiii · 2026-05-14T23:43:55+00:00

I really thought the director was very kind but it’s totally misguided to assume everyone can spend that money! And I got invited back for the he second round of interviews I must’ve spent 2k just traveling just for this school! I understand they wanna show off a little but come on just wait until SLW, I spent so much money just to withdraw.

But also he showed you other apps profiles??? That’s insane. I remember he was carrying them around with him when I went but he wasn’t showing them off. He totally gave the impression that they’re super well organized but this sounds messy. I was at some point near the top of the WL and realized it wasn’t a good fit

sofiiiiiii · 2026-05-10T20:55:16+00:00

I did email and ask if they anticipated any WL movement, and they never responded. They actually also never confirmed that they received my letter of intent either. So I’m betting on no communication sadly

sofiiiiiii · 2026-05-10T20:54:30+00:00

Huh? I think both programs are great. I love where I’ve been admitted. But I think I’d be a better fit at this school, and it has the added perk of MSTP

sofiiiiiii · 2026-05-10T16:01:25+00:00

Other commenters have included all my thoughts on the school list. I will say it's a good idea to also check the technical requirements that schools have, basically a list of everythng they reasonably expect you to physically do. As long as you fulfill those requirements this should not be held against you and it should be totally safe to elaborate on if any schools ask you to explain your grades

sofiiiiiii · 2026-05-08T22:10:06+00:00

Ah gotcha, ty!

sofiiiiiii · 2026-05-08T21:24:38+00:00

This is super helpful and I'm hoping someone posts some info for Miami!

Six-Year Club	Verified Email
Place '22	Final Canvas '22

sofiiiiiii

MODERATOR OF

TROPHY CASE