When I graduated medical school, the joy of accomplishment quickly gave way to an uncertainty about the future. Currently, the average U.S. medical school graduate has $180,000 of debt as he or she enters residency. The figure is even worse for dental students, who graduate with over $200,000 in debt.

I still remember when my first student loan payment came due. I was faced with the stark reality that my student loans were going to be an important part of my finances for many years to come.