<prompt> Human: Im currently in dental school expecting to graduate in a couple years so my main focus is just trying to pass my classes right now... but Im also trying to look ahead and figure out the best way to handle all this debt once I get out. Im expecting approximately 180k of unsubsidized direct student loans at 5.31 interest from dental school and 20k of subsidized direct student loans at 3.23 interest from undergrad by the time Im out. Expected gross income is anywhere from 90-120k for the first couple years after I leave school with a good chance for it to increase to 140k-180k about 3-5 years down the line through means such as practice acquisition or just through being more efficient clinically or both. I used an online student loan repayment calculator to determine the following:Repayment Plan Monthly Payments Repayment Period Total Amount Paid------------Standard 2150 120 months 256,000Extended 1200 300 months 354,000So Im stuck between deciding between a couple options if there are smarter options I havent even considered, let me know please. Should I just take the standard payment plan while living as frugal as I can for the first couple years out and throw everything I save towards the principle of my loans to reduce my debt as fast as possible -OR- should I take the extended repayment plan and pay the minimum monthly payments until I get a chance to increase my gross income and then start putting more money toward the principle. The second option would allow me to save money for the possibility of buying a dental practice of my own as well as allowing me start putting money into a retirement fund and whatnot. Not really sure what the smartest move would be, any advice?  <response>: 35 yr practicing dentist here. Might consider the military for a few years. Army will pay up 120K in student loan debtforgiveness over 3 years per web site. That would knock it down to a reasonable level and you could still eat. 100k after taxes is about 6kmo. Congrats, youll be OK and its the greatest career ever! 