MS1 books

[herenow]

Hi, I'm going to be a MS1 in the fall. I was just wondering if MS students usually buy all the books that they're told to buy. It's just that most schools give out course notes, and if for example I have old biochem books from undergrad, should I still buy the biochem book for MS1? Thanks!

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[trouta]

Most schools caution you not to go out and buy all the books right away but to talk to second years and see what they found useful and what was a waste of money. Many schools have surveys that they do with second years that show percentages of people that used the book and those that hated it.

 

[none]

What an odd way of doing things! Why even list the book as a requirement if the professors expect that the majority of students won't have it?

 

[BioAggie]

Herenow,

Since you're going to be at Tech, I've got a bunch of suggestions on this as well - you definitely do NOT need all the books they recommend. Email me and I'll tell you more about the specifics.

 

[Jeff698]

At least from my experience, many MS-Is go ahead and buy everything, including the recommended texts. Then they'll buy most review books they can.

After the first semester or so, they'll realize there was something to all that advice the second years gave them and stop buying everything.

It really did take me about 4 or 5 months to get a feel for what would work for me and what wouldn't. I don't buy all the books anymore but I'm hard-headed and have a habbit of ignoring perfectly sensible advice.

Take care,
Jeff

 

[Espion]

Herenow,

Did you go to the Spring Training thing? Most of the MS2's and MS3's I talked to said NOT to buy books yet. I've looked at the biochemistry book (I happen to have it) and I wouldn't recommend getting it, either. Its not a very good textbook at all. Whatever you have from undergrad will most likely be just fine. And if you still doubt, you can borrow mine.

 

[G'ville Nole]

I would agree with the other posters. When I took my "required" 1st year book list to the bookstore, I found that I was going to be staring at a $600-$800 investment. After getting some advice from my 2nd year "big sib", I purchased a total of TWO required texts, and a couple of board review type books. Obviously, things differ at different med schools, but as an example, the notes given to us in both biochem and physiology basically eliminated the need for ANY further reference (although I did use BRS physio to help with difficult concepts).

I realize that different personalities will take different approaches to this, and some people will simply not be able to sleep at night unless they have all the the texts, supplements and CD-ROMS which the curriculum requires. The fact is, practically all of the BIG textbooks contain about three times the information that will be imparted to you over the course of the year. While most of that extra information may be useful to an individual wishing to pursue a PhD in that particular field, it is simply overkill for a medical education.

Hope this helps!

 

[camjakb]

Let your familiarity with the material be your guide as to the extent of your book buying.

 

[BlackPuma]

oh my god, I really need glasses, I read this thread as MS1 Boobs...

<img border="0" alt="[Laughy]" title="" src="graemlins/laughy.gif" />

oh well..apparently, pple talkign about something else hehe

 

[mamadoc]

Also watch for used book sales from the upperclassmen at your school. I think I've bought three new books in two years. And getting a slightly earlier edition is often okay, too - if you find there's some specific thing where you need updated info, you can just look it up in the library. If I could've managed not to be nervous at the concept, I would've bought NO books but I just couldn't stand the idea. I mostly studied from notes and handouts, so those books were an expensive way to keep me calm.

 

[Reavill]

The required books for the courses are usually a joke. Except for a few you DONT need them. If you ever really want to look at the books then you can probably look at them in the library where they are usually on reserve. There is one exception and that is Gross books. You need at least a Netter and probably Moore maybe even another Atlas. The other books that you will want to buy are the Board Review Series books and other review books. You will usually find these very helpful for your classes as well as your review for step 1.