Thanks for answering all my questions! I think I might actually do what Blackdog mentioned since a Canadian plan is only$3 more to add to my existing plan! Also I notice in the handbook they only mention a dissection kit,boots,lab coat, stethescope,penlight ,coveralls and thermometer. Will we be getting a formal textbook list later on? And are there any other things you would suggest buying in the U.S.? Also for first year do we actually have to register for classes or are they already pre-set since we don't have electives?
Don't buy your textbooks new, it's pointless. Upper years will sell you everything you need/want much cheaper - they'll start posting things on the AVC Book Exchange facebook page once the start of the semester gets closer. They also usually do a book sale on the first or second day of class, although by that time most people have already sold their stuff. The only book you need right away is the dissection book for anatomy, which you'll be required to have with you for your first anatomy lab, so I recommend arranging with an upper year to buy it from them on or before the first day. Shameless plug: I have first year textbooks that I'll be looking to sell if you want to make your arrangements early.
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You'll also need a dissection kit and gloves for the first day of anatomy, but you can get those cheap at the UPEI bookstore so I would wait until you arrive. They're like $13 each if I remember correctly.
As Coquette said, you'll get your blue lab coat at the blue coat ceremony before classes start. It's nicely embroidered with your class year and the CVMA crest, so a lot of people like to use that as their "clean" coat for the teaching hospital and buy a separate blue coat for anatomy labs/clinical orientation, etc. I HIGHLY recommend waiting until you get to campus and checking out the student laundry for whatever lab coats, scrubs, or coveralls you need. They're all used (usually sold to the laundry service by graduating 4th years) but a lot of them are in excellent condition and they are much cheaper than anything you could possibly buy new. Coveralls sell for $20, lab coats and scrub sets for $15, iirc. I paid $50 for a new pair of coveralls in the States, then got a perfectly good pair for $20 at the student laundry, so I really wish I had waited and saved myself some money. From what I've heard, buying that stuff new in Canada is roughly the same cost as it would be in the US, so you don't have anything to lose by waiting.
We didn't use stethoscopes, penlights, or thermometers at all in first year. You need them more for clinical orientation in first semester second year, so I would wait on those. Stethoscopes are much cheaper and easier to buy in the US, so asking for one for Christmas or ordering it while you're home on break is a good idea. I bought mine used relatively cheap from one of the clinicians in the teaching hospital.
As for other things to buy in the US, buy whatever alcohol you like and bring it up with you . . . it's crazy expensive in Canada!
