Can anybody give me a complete breakdown of a Premed program in USA?

Question

I want to know: (for USA)
How many years does it take to complete a Premed program?
How much money do you need to complete it?
How much help can you get from a financial AID?

Answer 1

"premed" isn't a program per se.

Most colleges and universities have you major in biology or chemistry for 4 years, and get a BA or BS. They have "premed" programs which keep the student informed of what it takes to get into med school -- which entrance exams to take, what schools to talk to, etc.

Sooo...

1. You'll complete a normal 4-year degree, normally in Chem or Bio, as a "premed" student.

2. You will need the same amount of money to complete your degree as any other student. You can start at a community college for 2-3 years and save boatloads of money, or you can go to an Ivy-league college (if you can get in) and spend upwards of $50,000 per year for 4 years.

3. Financial aid... that's another story. You don't say where you live now, or whether you're going to an in-state public university, or if you're part of an "under-represented" ethnic group, etc etc etc.

The Pell grants are basically dead. You or your parents can claim your college bills on the Hope scholarship, but it doesn't come close to paying for much more than books. The various states have their own financial aid programs, ranging from pretty good to non-existent.

In addition, there are various scholarships that you need to investigate. There are scholarships for left-handed people, people of certain ethnic backgrounds, etc etc etc.

Each college has its own scholarship funds as well. My college has about 10 scholarships annually for students who are free-thinkers, and all you have to do is avoid flunking out. They also have about 20 honor scholarships -- you show up on campus, take 2 days of exams, and the highest 20 scores win.