When my husband was in medical school, he was told to set aside around $20,000 for residency interviews. That’s a big number for anyone, but when you’re living on medical school loans, it can be especially overwhelming. Since applicants are advised to go to every interview they’re offered, that number can be higher. There are some expenses you simply can’t avoid, but there are ways to save money if you’re willing to get creative!
Housing
When my husband and I found out which cities we’d be interviewing in, we reached out to family and close friends in those cities to see if we could stay with them for a night or two. We were able to completely avoid paying for housing in those cities, which was a huge saving! Of course, we left a gift card and thank you note, but the savings were still huge.
When we didn’t know anyone in a city, we still saved money by using AirBnb. Be sure to choose listings with verified reviews, where the host does not need to be home in order for you to come and go. For one of my husband’s interviews in NYC, he was able to crash on a bottom bump for $30, rather than paying hundreds to stay in a hotel. In expensive locales, room sharing can be a life saver.
If none of that works, reach out to other members of your medical school class to see if anyone else received interviews at the same programs. More than likely, someone has! You can split the cost of more expensive housing, like a hotel.
Flights
Unfortunately, fights are one of the most expensive parts of interviewing, and one of the most unavoidable. Normally, you can save money on flights by booking on bargain airlines, but this is too risky a move when a cancelled flight could mean missing an interview or arriving late.
There are some creative ways to save money here, though. My husband and I decided to get the Chase Sapphire card, which had a large points bonus when signing up (There is a $95 annual fee, but they often waive it the first year.). The points from the initial sign up can typically pay for at least one flight.
The Southwest card can also be a great option. Last year, they offered an unbelievable deal for their companion passes. If you opened a card and spent $4000 in the first three months (basically a guarantee with interview season), you received a large point bonus AND a companion pass for a year, which allows one travel partner to fly for free, per trip! All the partner pays is the tax, which was around $11 for domestic flights. My husband and I were able to combine points and the companion pass, and both of us flew domestically for around $22 out of pocket!
If cards don’t sound right for you, you can also save money by setting “alerts” with websites like Expedia, to let you know when a flight dips below a certain threshold. It can prevent you from overpaying for a flight that you might’ve gotten earlier.
Pro tip 1: Search flights in “incognito” mode. This prevents websites from tracking your searches, and then jacking up rates.
Pro tip 2: If you do fly Southwest, be sure to check your upcoming flights during Southwest sales. Sometimes, you can change your flight to the exact same flight and receive credit back to your account. We ended up saving $175 on one round trip flight using this method.
Transportation
It may seem like a no-brainer, but if you have to rent a car, be sure to always select the least expensive option. Rental agencies are legally required to provide you a car if you’ve paid for one in advance. If they don’t have one in “economy” when you’ve arrived, they’ll upgrade you for free. So, if you absolutely must rent a car, it’s always wisest to book in advance to get the best rate.
However, it’s worth it to look into other options for transportation. If the airport and interview location are close together, Uber or Lyft may be a less expensive option. Even better, if you can find another interviewee to share a car with, you may be able to save a sizable amount. Your medical school classmates, especially those applying to the same specialty, are likely also looking for ways to save. If you school doesn’t already have an online network or Facebook group, start one! Your classmates and your wallet will thank you!
Clothing
Alterations are your new best friend.
My husband’s medical school had a list of designers and brands that would be acceptable for interviews. Is this necessary? Who knows. But we wanted to follow it as closely as possible without breaking the bank. So, one Saturday, we went to a second hand store that focused on men’s fashions, and found a high-dollar suit for a great discount. It didn’t fit, but we knew we could have it altered. Within a week, the suit was tailored to him and, after dry-cleaning, as good as new. We got a suit that retailed for over $1000 for a little less than $300, when all was said and done.
The bottom line? Research (and reaching out for favors!) can save you thousands during interview season. Of course, the number one priority is making sure you get your interviews on time and in proper professional dress, but with a little networking and planning, money should not be another stressor to add to your list!