Logo Logo

Expenses Survey

JABSOM students were asked to identify any expenses they encountered that they felt future students should be aware of.

Responses are condensed and relevant information such as links added.

The products listed and advice written is not endorsed/vetted by JABSOM, but represent responses from the 4th year medical students.  Students should do their own research before purchasing anything.

Students are encouraged to speak with Kevin to discuss their financial situation, especially if they are facing financial difficulties, or if they have any questions.

Contact:  Kevin Kaneshiro
Phone:  (808) 692-1002
Email:  medfas@hawaii.edu

Expense Item Estimated Cost
AMBOSS Subscription (study/learning tool)
 $600 - $700
JABSOM Parking
  • $280/semester

  • $168 (Summer)

Rates are subject to change
Osmosis (study/learning tool) $600
Sketchy (study tool) $600
Other Expense Items:

Expense Item Description
Computer
  • Additional financial aid loans may be requested to help reimburse a on-time computer purchase

  • Purchase must be made during your enrollment period/academic calendar (eg: on or after the first day of Orientation for MS1 students)

  • Aid increase can only be done once during your tenure at JABSOM

  • Please contact Kevin for more information.

Expense Item Estimated Cost
USMLE Step 1 Exam (mandatory for all students)
 $670
USMLE Step 1 Practice Tests $200
UWorld Subscription (Step 1 exam study tool) $600

Expense Item Estimated Cost
USMLE Step 2 Exam (mandatory for all students)
 $670
USMLE Step 2 Practice Tests $300
UWorld Subscription (Step 2 exam study tool) $400 - $500
Hospital Parking (clerkship rotation locations)
  • Posibility of street parking
    • Concerns:  limited street parking and/or further walking distance from parking to hospital

  • Queen's hospital may provide a parking pass to students
 $25 - $50/day
Other Textbooks $50
Coffee (1 - 2x/week) $300
Other Expense Items:

Expense Item Description
Neighbor Island Rotation
  • Ground transportation: Uber to/from airport

  • Fronting housing and car shipment costs
    • Students will be reimbursed for these expenses at a later date

    • JABSOM short-term loans may be requested to help cover expenses
Wards Materials
  • Clipboard, shoes, snacks/food during shift, pens

  • Gas

Expense Item Estimated Cost Other Considerations
Away Rotations $2,000 - $5,000
  • Some students may choose to do more than 1 away rotation

  • Flights/car/housing/food

  • Additional financial aid loans may be requested to help cover expenses:
    • A $500 grant may be available (very limited). Applications are released in the Fall of the MS4 year.
Gas/Parking For Electives $25 - $50/day
  • Additional from prior years $50+/month

  • Queens hospital:  $25 - $50/day

  • Gas to commute to patient's homes:  $80
Residency Applications $400 - $3,000
  • Estimated cost depends on the specialty and number of applications
    • Example:  Base fee + 62 programs ~$1,300

    • Pricing structure to change for the 2025 residency application season

  • Additional financial aid loans may be requested to help cover expenses
Residency Interview Outfits $100 N/A
Device For Virtual Interviews
  • Ring light:  $15

  • Portable AC unit:  $250
 Time zone difference may impact a student's ability to utilize the library computer rooms to conduct their virtual interview.  Students would need to complete their interview at home under less than ideal conditions.

In-Person Interview Costs

(Including transportation/lodging)

 $5,000
  • It is uncertain whether AAMC will push for in-person or virtual interviews in future years

  • Additional financial aid loans may be requested to help cover expenses

  • A $500 grant may be available (very limited).  Applications are released in the Spring of the MS4 year.

  • HOST program (alumni who open their homes to students traveling to their city for interviews) may be available.  Please contact Kevin for more information.
National Residency Matching Program Fee $70
  • Match day outfit:  $75
Graduation $305 Breakdown of costs:
  • Diploma fee:  $30

  • Cap/gown:  $200

  • Outfit:  $75
Other Expense Items:

Expense Item Description

Residency/Moving Fees

(After graduation)
  • Incurred before you receive your first paycheck

  • Housing deposit

  • Car shipment

  • Licensing

  • ACLS Training (in preparation for Residency):   $310 - $400

  • USMLE STEP 3 exam*:  $915
    • *Not a graduation requirement, but required during Residency

    • Preparation/practice exams:  $500

    • Notarizing application form:  $20

  • Conferences:

    • Travel expenses (lodging, ground transportation, airfare, conference registration fee, etc)

    • Poster printing

    • A maximum $500 grant per conference, per academic year may be available to attend national conferences to present their JABSOM generated research.

  • Emergency Fund:

    • Apartment issues (broken pipes, flooding, etc)

    • Car broke down

    • Laptop replacement

    • An emergency grant OR short term loan may be requested to help cover expenses.  Contact Kevin at medfas@hawaii.edu for more information.

  • “Even without the interview trail, 4th year is EXPENSIVE.  I knew that the residency application would cost a lot (and of course, it depends on how many schools you apply to) but in addition to other costs mentioned above (not to mention if you did aways), it becomes the most expensive year out of your medical education.  I know there are a lot of applications to worry about in 4th year, so try your best to do your diligence of filling out the FAFSA and front loading any scholarship applications so that it helps when it comes to these costs down the line.”

  • “When looking for residency programs, see which ones reimburse for licensing, step or housing.  Don't be scared to work part time, several of us did so successfully and I wished I wasn't so discouraged to work (obviously, keep in mind pros/cons: if you know you struggle with time management or are planning to apply to a competitive specialty requiring you to be active in multiple projects/research, working might not be the best choice for you).”

  • “Read The White Coat Investor's Guide for Students (and Residents)!!!  I'm reading it now as a 4th year and it's incredibly helpful.

    Avoid paying for parking as much as possible (street parking is findable around campus and around most hospitals/clinics).  Kuakini hospital was the only hospital that was too difficult to not pay for parking.”

  • “Really do research on study materials before purchasing.”

  • “Try to budget throughout MS1-3.  As you apply to residency as an MS4, it is not the time to think about saving money on programs when this is potentially the job you'll have for the next 3 years or so.  Additionally, if you are planning to do an away rotation or more than one, then it would be advisable to think about taking more loans out if needed to pay for the high cost of step, residency apps, and possibly away rotations in fourth year.  It is just overall expensive, but this is not the time to save money when you are applying to residency especially competitive ones.”

  • “Personally, I think I over-applied to my less competitive specialty (EM). I wish I was more selective and didn't apply to places I knew deep down I wouldn't want to go.”

  • “Carpool and meal prep when you can.”

  • 40% of survey respondents lived NOT with parent

    • Budgets (for all expenses) ranged from $2,000 to $2,500/mnth

  • Of the students reported living with parent:

    • Budgets ranged from $50/mnth to $1650

  • 54.9% of all MS4 students will graduate with cumulative debt (undergrad+JABSOM)

    • Ranges from $11,877 to $414,840

    • Median debt is $170,133