Blue coat: Yes, most people had someone come to the ceremony. Parent, friend, veterinarian, significant other, etc. If you have someone willing and able to make the trip, it's a nice way to recognize someone's who has been a source of support for you. Only a few people from our class opted for faculty members instead. Size is more or less your chest measurement in inches. I think they only do even sizes, (32, 34, 36, etc) but I could be wrong.
Books: I don't think you ever get a list. Each professor will tell you on the first day what you need, but very few classes have required textbooks. The only one that's necessary is anatomy, which is the Evans and Delahunta Guide to the Dissection of the Dog. Second years will probably be offering theirs for sale on Facebook soon. I bought a few books in addition to that. I got Veterinary Immunology: Principles and Practices (I liked this book, I'm alone in that, most people didn't), and Veterinary Physiology (because physiology wasn't my best subject). I also referred to my undergraduate histology book for first semester histo. For all your classes but anatomy, the notes the professors give are usually sufficient. If you do require books, they're usually on reserve at the library or the AVC resource room, so you can flip through those if you want before you shell out money for them.
