Applying to medical school involves significant expenses, and costs can vary widely depending on location. Students across Hawaiʻi face higher logistical costs than many mainland applicants — and for students from Kauaʻi or other outer islands, those challenges are even more pronounced.

Key expenses include:

• MCAT preparation and registration
• Clinical training programs (such as CNA certification)
• Primary application fees (AMCAS/AACOMAS)
• Secondary application fees
• Interview travel and lodging
• Medical school seat deposits

For Kauaʻi students, additional costs such as inter-island flights, hotel stays, and ground transportation for the MCAT and interviews can add up quickly. Even taking the MCAT requires traveling to Oʻahu.

Overall, total expenses can range from approximately $5,330 for a single local application with low-cost preparation to $16,530 or more when applying broadly with full commercial MCAT prep courses and multiple mainland interviews.

This breakdown highlights the real financial barriers many Hawaiʻi students face — and emphasizes the importance of early planning, saving, and applying strategically.

Cost Breakdown

Assumption: Applying to approximately 20 schools
(15–30 schools is the general recommendation from most pre-med advisors)

Note: These figures are approximate estimates for general planning purposes only. Actual costs vary by institution, year, travel needs, and individual applicant decisions.

Understanding the Chart

In the cost chart above, preparation for the MCAT and related study expenses are divided into four categories:

Low Prep

This includes self-study using:

• AAMC official materials
• UWorld question banks
• MCAT prep books

This is the more affordable route and relies primarily on independent study rather than structured courses.

Full Prep

This includes all Low Prep resources plus a commercial virtual or in-person MCAT course (such as Kaplan or Princeton Review).

Full prep courses can cost several thousand dollars but typically provide:

• Structured lesson plans
• Scheduled classes
• Multiple full-length practice exams
• Instructor guidance and accountability

JABSOM Only

This column represents the estimated costs for students who apply only to the University of Hawaiʻi John A. Burns School of Medicine (JABSOM).

Applying to a single in-state school significantly reduces:

• Primary application fees
• Secondary fees
• Interview travel costs
• Lodging expenses
• Seat deposits

This approach minimizes financial burden but limits the number of acceptance opportunities.

Multiple Schools

This column represents the estimated costs for students who apply broadly to multiple medical schools — both in Hawaiʻi and on the mainland.

Applying broadly increases expenses due to:

• Additional primary and secondary application fees
• Increased interview travel and lodging
• Multiple seat deposits

While many pre-med advisors suggest that broader applications may increase the likelihood of receiving interviews, individual outcomes vary significantly based on academic profile, competitiveness, and program selection. Applicants should evaluate their own circumstances when determining application strategy and consult with a pre-med advisor.

Why This Matters

When you combine:

• Low Prep vs. Full Prep
• Single school vs. Broad application

You begin to see the full financial range required to apply to medical school from Hawaiʻi.

Understanding these distinctions early allows you to:

• Save intentionally
• Apply for scholarships strategically
• Reduce unnecessary expenses
• Make informed decisions about prep resources

Planning ahead does not remove the cost — but it makes the process far more manageable.