Average monthly expenses

[tms2]

Hello, I recently got accepted to AUC and was gathering some more info about the island.
For those who have been to the island, can you give me an idea on the monthly expenses (rent, food,...etc). I know this probably varies by living conditions, but i'd like to have a rough idea. Also, is a car really needed?! If so, what are its expenses.
Any help would be appreciated.

[stateofequilibrium]

As a single student I spent approximately:

$1250 for rent
$150 for utilities
$400-500 for food.
$200 for misc.

As for a car, run a seach on that, it's been discussed many many many times. Short answer no, you don't NEED one. Long answer is yes, it's vastly preferable to have one. A decent car from a departing student will run from about $3,000 upwards.

[tms2]

hmmm, so we're talking somewhere near 25K per semester (everything included)
do loans cover all that?! Are you currently taking loans? if they don't cover everything, how much do they cover? (approximately)
i have good credit and need base.
thanks

[stateofequilibrium]

Yes, loans will cover everything plus more. I saved quite a bit of money which you will need to help start you off in clinicals. The numbers I gave were kind of high-balling the estimates. Assuming you'll also go out every weekend for a nice dinner/binge drinking. Plus fuel, etc.

[iowafarmstud]

For any married couples at AUC...I was curious as to how much you all pay for rent? I am also trying to get a price range as far as the low to high end on what to expect as well as utilities. Thanks for any info!

[tms2]

thanks for the quick reply.
i see, if loans cover that, then great!

another question, though a bit unrelated to the topic, how do you rate AUC? I know one shouldn't be comparing to U.S. standards, but overall, was the school helpful? Some graduates told me that once you're in, you're on your own amidst utter chaos! what's your take on that?! Exaggeration or truth?!

[stateofequilibrium]

thanks for the quick reply.
i see, if loans cover that, then great!

another question, though a bit unrelated to the topic, how do you rate AUC? I know one shouldn't be comparing to U.S. standards, but overall, was the school helpful? Some graduates told me that once you're in, you're on your own amidst utter chaos! what's your take on that?! Exaggeration or truth?!

If you're expecting someone to hold your hand, no. If you're expecting extensive support to analyze how you study, tell you when to study, coach you on how to take exams, nope.

But AUC's professors taught me everything I needed to know to do well on Step 1. And if I had not napped so often and fallen out of my chair asleep during class, I'm almost positive I would've scored through the roof. But how much you learn, regardless of where you, is ALWAYS up to you. AUC will give you the knowledge and tools, but it's up to you to use it.

[pawar2k3]

hi dfhthj5tyut

[medic1691]

Iowafarmstud- We pay $1500. Hey you need to get a hold of the spouses org!


They can help you guys make the transition down here, find you housing and even pick you up from the airport! We couldn't have done this without them. The message board is a great place for your wife to ask questions and meet people before she arrives!

AUC Spouses Club (http://groups.msn.com/aucspousesclub/welcometotheaucspousesclubwebpage.msnw)

[DrShikima]

For any married couples at AUC...I was curious as to how much you all pay for rent? I am also trying to get a price range as far as the low to high end on what to expect as well as utilities. Thanks for any info!

Rent is the same for 1 person or 2 people or a whole family. With that said, it's a natural expectation to think that larger apt's will go for more money.

Shop around and see what is available.

[stateofequilibrium]

Utilities is directly proportional to:
a) How long you have the AC blowing
b) If the Gebe guy was drunk when reading your meter (meaning utilities were often erratic in price).

[Macgyver1]

Me and my son and wife get by on auc's budget, but its tight. You have to really stick to your budget and youll be fine. Oh and the Spouces club gives wonderful support, I recommend them.

[DrShikima]

Me and my son and wife get by on auc's budget, but its tight. You have to really stick to your budget and youll be fine. Oh and the Spouces club gives wonderful support, I recommend them.

What about the spouSes in the club? :roll: :cool: :p

[ausmil]

Can someone please post where to get a hold of the spouses club? Is there a website or something? Please let us know.

[Arkie]

Wow, CMU sounds nice...and their spammers have excellent grammar. Bye bye, St. Maarten. Hello, Curacao!!

[Scientific]

Rent depending on where you live will be about $1000 or more. Food is about the same as home, maybe a little higher but not much. Gas prices are more. I think I payed about $30 per week in gas depending on how much I drove......and how much I blasted my A/C on high lol. You don't HAVE to get a car, but you'll be very sorry if you don't. Just get a cheap used car from one of the departing 5th semeter students. They usually run for about 1000-2000 and you can sell it back to someone else when you leave the island. Nothing fancy, just get something to get you from point A to point B. Trust me, my car was a piece of crap, but it got me where I needed to go. Don't worry about the look of your car cause most other students' cars are a piece of crap as well so you won't be embarrassed lol (no offense guys, but it's true!)

[medic1691]

Here is the way to get in contact with the spouses club. It will give you an e-mail address or you can PM me here, I'm the president.

The website is AUC Spouses Club (http://groups.msn.com/AUCSpousesClub/welcometotheaucspousesclubwebpage.msnw)

[DrShikima]

Here is the way to get in contact with the spouses club. It will give you an e-mail address or you can PM me here, I'm the president.

The website is AUC Spouses Club (http://groups.msn.com/AUCSpousesClub/welcometotheaucspousesclubwebpage.msnw)

Not only are you the president, you're also a client.

[medic1691]

Ok I guess I set myself up for that one!

[DrShikima]

Ok I guess I set myself up for that one!

Cheers!!!! :D ;) :cool:

[preintermed]

Was that 400-500$ on food per month or semester? Also was the misc. $200 per month or semester?
As a single student I spent approximately:

$1250 for rent
$150 for utilities
$400-500 for food.
$200 for misc.

As for a car, run a seach on that, it's been discussed many many many times. Short answer no, you don't NEED one. Long answer is yes, it's vastly preferable to have one. A decent car from a departing student will run from about $3,000 upwards.

[stateofequilibrium]

Hmm, what's the title of the thread? But I'm also including eating out, etc.

[DrShikima]

Was that 400-500$ on food per month or semester? Also was the misc. $200 per month or semester?


Depends... if you like to eat out, it'll cost more. Either way, in the long run... enjoy yourself and take out the money you'll need. There is plenty to go around for budgeting.

[FOID]

Depends... if you like to eat out, it'll cost more. Either way, in the long run... enjoy yourself and take out the money you'll need. There is plenty to go around for budgeting.

take out extra loans, be happy... it'll make a person study better.

[kemper6036]

totally....its stressful enough without having to agonize that you spent an extra 20 bucks this week. not that i would do that but it sounds like some people on here would ---->preintermed ;)

[FOID]

Lol Lol Lol.