Book costs by school

[bunnity]

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I seem to remember this being discussed on here before but I found nothing with a search...

So how much should we expect to spend on books (and related items that we would need for class) for the first year of vet school? I know this probably varies a ton by school, so if you could say what school you're basing your estimate on, that would be awesome.

Thanks!

 

[IvyLynx]

Maybe this would be better in the veterinary forum? Definitely looking forward to responses for this

 

[calioutlaw1a]

At Davis it's estimated about $4000 per year.

 

[bunnity]

Maybe this would be better in the veterinary forum? Definitely looking forward to responses for this

You're probably right; I know I'm not allowed to cross-post, maybe a mod could move it?

I know that the schools give estimates for what books would cost, but I am hoping students will give an idea of what they actually spent.

 

[IvyLynx]

Ah, I didn't know about the cross-posting rule.

I hope a student will give an idea about figures too, but this is what NCSU had on their website for estimated costs:
Year I 2,259
Year II 1,865
Year III 3,572
Year IV 1,372

 

[rugbychick16]

It can really vary. Are you a student who always buys every book suggested for the class, new from the campus bookstore? Or are you a student who only gets a couple of the required books and gets them off ebay or from an older student? Theres a range of figures between those two options.
Even "required" books may not be used in a class, so sometimes you might want to wait to buy them. Or if it is an area of your interests or a book you feel you could keep around for the rest of vet school and use as a reference, you might want to get a nice new copy.
I would say this would vary alot from school to school, and student to student.
I spent approximately $500 on books for the first semester..plus $50 dissection kit..plus $50 class dues...plus at least $50 for other club dues...plus some more miscellaneous stuff I can't think of right now. I rarely used a couple of the books though, and only bought about $200 worth for spring semester

 

[bunnyslippers]

At Davis it's estimated about $4000 per year.

Ahhhhhh, oh good lord! 😱

 

[bunnity]

Thanks for moving this, PAThbrd!

So vet students, I was just wondering how much you spent on books / instruments your first year, and what school you were at?

 

[cateyes]

I'm a person that needs to have every resource available, just in case there's something that I don't understand. So I tend to buy most of the books suggested, used if possible, but if not, I'll buy them new. Fall quarter and Spring quarter 1st year at Ohio I spent around $750/quarter on books, Winter quarter I spent around $500. However, I learn by using my books to supplement my notes for those times I didn't understand something/couldnt write fast enough.
There are others in my class, and the one above me that don't buy any books at all, and they do just as well. It all depends on what your learning style is.

Oh- and instrument-wise, the only thing we had to buy was a dissection kit, which I think was $25, and gloves, which I think are around $10/box.

 

[InfiniVet]

It varies, and also depends on how thrifty you are.
Don't buy new textbooks.
Buy or borrow had me downs from your Big sib. 👍
The same textbooks will (likely) be stocked at your library.

Get in contact with the previous class years - they will be dying to sell you their books & instruments on the cheap.

 

[KittyRex]

Ahhhhhh, oh good lord! 😱

Yeah. it is pretty expensive. I think (atleast first year) it has a lot to do with the notebook computers that students are required to buy.
Not sure why it's so expensive for 3rd and 4th years though.

Here's the breakdown from website:


2008-09 Estimated Veterinary Student Expense Budgets (UC Davis)
Books & Supplies
Y1 $4,656
Y2 $2,247
Y3 $3,385
Y4 $4,402

 

[Capella]

I buy 1 or 2 books a semester -- about $100 to $200 dollars worth. All "required" textbooks are in the library, and I try them out for a while before I commit to buying them. I use textbooks more as a reference when I need more information, because we really don't have time to read the textbooks. The amount of information given to us in powerpoints, notes, and required journal articles is more than enough to keep us busy.

 

[rugbychick16]

The amount of information given to us in powerpoints, notes, and required journal articles is more than enough to keep us busy.

I totally agree. I couldn't imagine having the time to also read the "recommended" chapters in a textbook we really "need" to buy...

 

[Angie09]

I bought four textbooks (Evans' dog dissection guide, horse and goat dissection guides, and Dyce/Sack/Wensing's anatomy textbook) for first semester at Penn. I think it was about $200. Everything else is either in the library, or not really necessary. The professors are mostly pretty good about putting very relevant textbooks on reserve so they stay in the library; and we get printouts of the lecturers' slides which have most of what they want us to know.

For 3rd quarter I didn't buy anything; just use the stuff in the library. For 4th quarter it looks like the same deal.

If I bought all the recommended textbooks listed for each class, it would be a couple of thousand dollars, I'm sure. But the profs and the administration all tell us not to do that, just wait and see what you really need. So the higher-end quotes are probably hypothetical, "if you bought ALL of these books" estimates.

 

[bunnity]

Thanks so much for your replies guys - it is a relief to know we won't HAVE to spend thousands of dollars on books if we are willing to go to the library.

and anyone from Penn who wants someone to buy their books, let me know!

 

[svendenhowser]

Holy carp! $4000 per year!! That is just crazy! I would spend maaaaybe $200AU/year (so with the current exchange rate thats around $150US), including all equipment.

Things I do:

1. Use the library.
2. Use the library some more..
3. Scan chapters I think may be required before everyone borrows the books (e.g. a few weeks before the exam rather than a week before).
4. Buy second hand.

I would only actually buy a book if I knew I was going to use it after university was over or was absolutely crucial to passing the subject. I have only ever bought 1 book new and thats because second hand texts in Australia are rare as hens teeth!