TouroCOM-NY Class of 2015

[bn270]

Anyone accepted and plan on going? I know I am and I'd love to get to know people!

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[traitorman]

Anyone accepted and plan on going? I know I am and I'd love to get to know people!

ill find out next week!

 

[orthocruz]

Anyone accepted and plan on going? I know I am and I'd love to get to know people!

Hi, I am curious what the actual interview was like at the Harlem campus? Did anyone talk about renting apartments closeby there? Is their research lab actually functioning yet or not? What hospitals did they say they will use for their 3rd to 4th year clinical training?

 

[SmokD]

Is their research lab actually functioning yet or not?

I know the neurophysiology lab is up and running, but the other ones are still in the process of being certified last I heard.

 

[bn270]

Hi, I am curious what the actual interview was like at the Harlem campus? Did anyone talk about renting apartments closeby there? Is their research lab actually functioning yet or not? What hospitals did they say they will use for their 3rd to 4th year clinical training?

Check out the TouroCOM-NY 2010-11 cycle thread. All your answers will be there

 

[Rada409]

Hey! I'm going to Touro next fall! How are you guys getting ready and where are you looking for apts?

 

[bn270]

Hey! I'm going to Touro next fall! How are you guys getting ready and where are you looking for apts?

Yay! It's great to meet you. My name is Rachel and I'm from Ohio. As far as getting ready, I have no idea. I was accepted on the 19th of October and late last week I received some medical forms (physical, immunizations, TB test...etc.) but that's about all I have done. I've always lived on campus, so living in an apartment will be new for me. I was doing some looking around and a studio anywhere near the school is about $1200, with a 1 bedroom being about 1500, and 2 bedroom being 1900-2000 a month. But I have been looking at this website sublet.com and they have long term ones and it might work out...some of the prices are significantly lower as compared to trying to find one outright.

How about you? What's your name? Where you from? Have you started any searching yet?

 

[Rada409]

Yay! It's great to meet you. My name is Rachel and I'm from Ohio. As far as getting ready, I have no idea. I was accepted on the 19th of October and late last week I received some medical forms (physical, immunizations, TB test...etc.) but that's about all I have done. I've always lived on campus, so living in an apartment will be new for me. I was doing some looking around and a studio anywhere near the school is about $1200, with a 1 bedroom being about 1500, and 2 bedroom being 1900-2000 a month. But I have been looking at this website sublet.com and they have long term ones and it might work out...some of the prices are significantly lower as compared to trying to find one outright.

How about you? What's your name? Where you from? Have you started any searching yet?

Hey! Nice meeting you, I'm Rada and I'm actually from NYC. I grew up in Brooklyn, but moved to Staten Island a few years back (family bought a house there). I actually got accepted for last year but defered for a year. I've been looking for a 1 bedroom (sharing with my fiance) in the Harlem/ Morningside area, but also looking along the A train line (if you go to http://www.mta.info/nyct/maps/submap.htm and look along the A line), since it's an express train and you can live all the way to 180-190 Street and still be at the shcool in under 20 min. Harlem in not the greatest neighborhood, so you might want to check out the apt during the day and at night to make sure you're comfortable living in that area. I've also been looking on craigslist.org but there are some scams on that site so be careful. I've heard of sublet.com, but didn't think to look there, so thanks! Let me know if you have any questions, since I'm from NYC, perhaps I can help out a bit at least in the apt search!

 

[DOyankees]

Hey everybody,

I am a first year TouroCOM student and I would like to say congratulations to all of you who have gotten accepted into Touro or in any other medical school. For those who havent heard back from Touro or any other school for that matter, just hold your heads up and realize that there is a school out that will take you (I promise). Applying to medical school is a big deal and a very important process. One thing very IMPORTANT to remember is that you want to look into a school that will not only give you the best education but will also help you get ready for your rotations and ultimately your career speciality.

Any questions let me know.

 

[ejay1518]

I would say mostly all DO schools emphasize primary care, not just touro. In order to get into specialties, regardless of where you go…you need good board scores because there is a lot of competition among applicants. How does a school, esp a DO school, help gear one towards a specialty? The school has speakers from various fields come in to talk about their fields. Gives you a chance to build contacts and get information from them. A lot of our adjunct faculty is specialized in a large number of specialties. They are not on campus all the time but you can contact them; granted out school won’t give you information on its own, you have to actually go looking for it. During 2nd year, almost all of your clinical systems lectures are specialists and they are very down to earth and easy to talk to. I know a few of the students have asked to shadow them after class and they have no problem with it. I guess going to a school with an affiliated ortho residency nearby gives you way more info about it and you can sit in on residents’ presentations, etc…but not many schools have that luxury.

A couple of our hospitals have surgical residencies, at least 4 that I know of; an even greater amount have fellowships in various specialties as well. Our school is affiliated with 2 dermatology residencies, 2 ophthalmology residencies, and a general surgery residency. In 2012, the school is planning to start more residencies in one of our hospitals in NJ. There is only 1 DO orthopedic residency in all of NY, and it’s not too far away from our hospital in Far Rockaway. 4th year, you get a good amount of elective time to explore w/e specialty you want. If you want more info on surgery talk to Dean Lanter…he can’t stop talking about surgery. I spoke to Dean Lanter about the specialty I want to go into and he has been nothing but helpful. He gave me the contact info of people I should get into touch with if I wanted more info on that particular field. I would also suggest talking to 4th years who are applying into the field you want to go into or a similar field…I know one 4th year who is going into surgery has been around a lot over the past 2 weeks.

 

[SmokD]

Hey everybody,

I am a first year TouroCOM student and I would like to say congratulations to all of you who have gotten accepted into Touro or in any other medical school. For those who havent heard back from Touro or any other school for that matter, just hold your heads up and realize that there is a school out that will take you (I promise). Applying to medical school is a big deal and a very important process. One thing very IMPORTANT to remember is that you want to look into a school that will not only give you the best education but will also help you get ready for your rotations and ultimately your career speciality. This is key info that you wont hear from many people about Touro: If your are looking into getting into primary care, family practice and anything else related to internal medicine then Touro is a great medical school to go and get involved. They emphasize and focus on primary care and you will get great insight and connections. However if your looking into getting into any specialty then Touro is NOT a good place. You will be independent to do everything on your own and relying heavily on brolic board scores. For specialties you want to attend a school that is not fully focused on primary care such as Touro is. You want to attend a school with broad clinical rotation hospitals. TOURO DOES NOT HAVE THIS. Its already difficult to get into specialties as DO's but they are doable. Touro will not help and gear you towards specialties. They push and urge towards primary care. I am very interested in orthopaedics and I am doing everything on my own to get my own insight and possibly transfer out. PLEASE BE AWARE OF THIS!

Any questions let me know.

This is absolutely absurb. First of all, every single DO school focuses on primary care. That said, I disagree wholeheartedly that we don't have broad clinical exposure, or don't have support in going into specialties. I myself have spoken to the Clinical Dean about going into MD surgery, and he gave me a lot of good advice.

And its not like other schools offer "Specializations 101" as part of the coursework. Your expected to get research, extra-cirriculars, and brolic board scores on your own.

Please finish your first semester before talking trash about the school.

 

[SML67]

Hey all,

just got the call from Obed and I've been accepted!!!

I will be attending as well, so its nice to see this thread. Now, about me:

My name is Sammy, I'm originally from Teaneck, NJ and currently live in Elizabeth, NJ with my wife and soon-to-be kid(baby is due March 1st). I did my undergrad in Yeshiva University and currently work as the materials manager at an ambulatory surgical center in Union, NJ(neighbor to Elizabeth). I am very excited about Touro and they were one of my top choices from the beginning. I will be commuting into school every day(there's a bus stop right outside of my apt) and the trip in is only ~1 hr. Rent is also very, very cheap out here. I know what it's like to live in the city(4 years) and how much it costs, and to me it just isn't worth it. Different strokes for different folks, right? I'm just one of those people that doesn't need to be ooohd and aaahhhhd by the city(then again I'm biased because I'm a Jersey boy). Anyways, enough rambling- nice to meet all of you and can't wait to see everyone next fall!

Of course if you have any questions about the NY/NJ area, feel free to ask as I've lived here my whole life.

Sammy
[email protected]

 

[bn270]

Of course if you have any questions about the NY/NJ area, feel free to ask as I've lived here my whole life.

Well could you help me out then?! Like I said, I'm from Ohio and know nothing about the area. I'm not so sure about an hour commute every day though...PLUS now with us starting in July instead of August I'm in a real time crunch. I finish my undergrad at the beginning of May and then am going to have to rush to find somewhere to live and move in!

 

[SML67]

Well could you help me out then?! Like I said, I'm from Ohio and know nothing about the area. I'm not so sure about an hour commute every day though...PLUS now with us starting in July instead of August I'm in a real time crunch. I finish my undergrad at the beginning of May and then am going to have to rush to find somewhere to live and move in!

Well, Obed seemed to convey that we would be starting the first week of August...anyways, in terms of 2 suggestions of places to live, I would start looking on craigslist in 2 areas: the upper west side and the Columbia area/Washington Heights(the upper 160s and above). If you find a roomy or 2 I could help you out with some apartment-shopping. There happens to be a LOT of available apartments on craigslist and many friends of mine used it to get apartments during undergrad years.

 

[bn270]

Well, Obed seemed to convey that we would be starting the first week of August...anyways, in terms of 2 suggestions of places to live, I would start looking on craigslist in 2 areas: the upper west side and the Columbia area/Washington Heights(the upper 160s and above). If you find a roomy or 2 I could help you out with some apartment-shopping. There happens to be a LOT of available apartments on craigslist and many friends of mine used it to get apartments during undergrad years.

Are you in the FB group? I was accepted back in early October and thats what I was told too-August. But earlier this week Obed posted on our group that the start date is gonna be July 25th.

Thanks for the help though!!

 

[Rada409]

Well, Obed seemed to convey that we would be starting the first week of August...anyways, in terms of 2 suggestions of places to live, I would start looking on craigslist in 2 areas: the upper west side and the Columbia area/Washington Heights(the upper 160s and above). If you find a roomy or 2 I could help you out with some apartment-shopping. There happens to be a LOT of available apartments on craigslist and many friends of mine used it to get apartments during undergrad years.

Be careful with craigslist. I've started looking for apt's through craiglist, and there are a LOT of scammers out there, way more than I remember being just a few years ago. I've had several nasty experiences with apt hunting. As far as locations, I'd say the west side is safer than the east in general, it's even better if you look west of Broadway. Good luck!

 

[drctother]

Be careful with craigslist. I've started looking for apt's through craiglist, and there are a LOT of scammers out there, way more than I remember being just a few years ago. I've had several nasty experiences with apt hunting. As far as locations, I'd say the west side is safer than the east in general, it's even better if you look west of Broadway. Good luck!

Although Im not accepted yet (had interview Saturday), I was looking into apartments on Craigslist as well. Is it just me or is there SOOOO much spam on it? Many of the listings I click on are just realtors spamming other areas. For example when I click on an "Upper West Side" listing, I have found many that are actually other areas no where near Upper West Side. Spammers can go to hell

 

[SML67]

Although Im not accepted yet (had interview Saturday), I was looking into apartments on Craigslist as well. Is it just me or is there SOOOO much spam on it? Many of the listings I click on are just realtors spamming other areas. For example when I click on an "Upper West Side" listing, I have found many that are actually other areas no where near Upper West Side. Spammers can go to hell

I would try applying a couple of filters:

For example, type "upper west side" in the search, set it to 3BR+(if you are looking for 2 roomys) and set the max $$ to ~$2500. filtering your search to the type of place, room-wise and cost-wise, really helps.

 

[lalala25]

I currently have about a 3.4 overall and 3.3 science gpa; adequate reseach and volunteer hours. I have submitted my aplication the 1st week of dec. The problem is I am taking january 2011 mcat, and turo says they cannot give me an interveiw until they recieve my mcats cores. I am very concerned that the class will get filled quickly!! Do I have a reasonable chance of getting in since they wont be reciving my scored until febuary?

 

[Rada409]

Although Im not accepted yet (had interview Saturday), I was looking into apartments on Craigslist as well. Is it just me or is there SOOOO much spam on it? Many of the listings I click on are just realtors spamming other areas. For example when I click on an "Upper West Side" listing, I have found many that are actually other areas no where near Upper West Side. Spammers can go to hell

By the way, I've noticed that on craiglist, there are listing a lot of areas that aren't the upper west side as such. It's true that the upper west side remains nicer further north than the east side does, but I would say north of about 115 St, it's no longer the nice area they are trying to sell it to be. It's not that terrible, but t that point it's definitely Harlem.
I've also noticed a bunch more of those 'I moved far away to do charity work and need a nice person to look after my apt, so please give me money and I'll send you the keys' scammers out there.

 

[drctother]

Accepted today!!!!! Conditionally though apparently I am short 2 credits of physics and 3 english. This makes no sense for english (I needed 6 first year english credits to get my degree). First year physics at my school is SIX credits not EIGHT. However, each course each semester has full lecture and a lab....but they for some stupid reason chose to make it 6 credits. So I have to fix this mess

Regardless...

My name is Chris and I am Canadian. It is nice to meet you guys I am waiting to hear back from Western (its my first choice for a few reasons) but none the less, I would be super happy to attend Touro!

 

[Ericthegray]

Hello to all of my future classmates. I got the phone call and e-mail yesterday after work. I can't wait to meet you all.
I'm psyched to find a spot in the city. My wife and I are currently living in Biddeford, ME, where she is finishing her second year as a DO student at UNECOM. Anyone know NYC well enough to suggest reasonable rent for two bedroom places, and/or what types of things to stay away from?
Congrats to everyone else who's been accepted, as well as to those who will soon join us!
Best,
Eric

 

[GTP]

Congrats to everyone who has been accepted! Did Obed happen to mention how full the class is?

 

[drctother]

Hello to all of my future classmates. I got the phone call and e-mail yesterday after work. I can't wait to meet you all.
I'm psyched to find a spot in the city. My wife and I are currently living in Biddeford, ME, where she is finishing her second year as a DO student at UNECOM. Anyone know NYC well enough to suggest reasonable rent for two bedroom places, and/or what types of things to stay away from?
Congrats to everyone else who's been accepted, as well as to those who will soon join us!
Best,
Eric

Hey Eric! Congrats on the acceptance! I looked into New York real estate quite a bit of the last 3 months (out of being bored and hoping I get it in, as I did eventually) and I have concluded the Upper West Side and the Upper East Side are good neighborhoods to live in. If price is a huge concern, you may have to look into Harlem itself or the region North (called Inwood or something heights I believe).

new York is SO expensive for housing. The one or two bedrooms I looked at in those areas ranged from 1300- 2300 / month! And none of those were even that nice. I am yet to find one with in suite laundry (this is a huge thing for me). Hope this helps. I did explore NY after my interview for a few days so I saw many neighborhoods.

The areas I mentioned are where I personally want to live. Dont forget the subway can get you from South Manhattan in 15-20 minutes!

Chris

 

[Ericthegray]

Thanks Chris! I hope that you're able to score something nice for yourself. Where are you from, currently, and when did you interview? I met someone on my interview day (12/7) named Chris, and I was just wondering if you were the same guy. Have a good one.
Best,
Eric

 

[SML67]

Congrats to everyone who has been accepted! Did Obed happen to mention how full the class is?

No and he will not answer this question.

Hello to all of my future classmates. I got the phone call and e-mail yesterday after work. I can't wait to meet you all.
I'm psyched to find a spot in the city. My wife and I are currently living in Biddeford, ME, where she is finishing her second year as a DO student at UNECOM. Anyone know NYC well enough to suggest reasonable rent for two bedroom places, and/or what types of things to stay away from?
Congrats to everyone else who's been accepted, as well as to those who will soon join us!
Best,
Eric

As was stated earlier, NYC is an expensive place to live. The Upper West Side is certainly a place that many Touro students seem to be finding places these days. I would also suggest Washington Heights- the 180's is only a 10-20min subway ride away and is considerably less expensive than the UWS. I would even tell you to look at apartments in the Columbia area(115-120s) but that will also run you a pretty penny in comparison to the Heights(I went to school in the Heights so I know the area quite well). I've lived in the NY/NJ area my whole life so if you have any questions, feel free to shoot me a pm or an email.

Sammy

 

[drctother]

Hey sammy,

for the $2000 deposit, did you have to pay it two weeks from the day you received the email/phone call of acceptance? Or is it two weeks after you let them know you will be accepting? (so in theory you could make your decision 2 weeks after your acceptance to send deposit)

Thanks,
Chris

 

[drctother]

Thanks Chris! I hope that you're able to score something nice for yourself. Where are you from, currently, and when did you interview? I met someone on my interview day (12/7) named Chris, and I was just wondering if you were the same guy. Have a good one.
Best,
Eric

I am from Vancouver, BC, Canada haha quite a ways away from New York! I interviewed Wednesday December 8th, by any chance were you there on the Wednesday and just making a simple mistake of the date?

 

[Ericthegray]

No, I was definitely there on the 7th. I love Vancouver, by the way; It's an amazing city. I look forward to meeting you, Chris. As soon as they invite us to the Facebook page for the TouroCOM class of 2015, I'll find you then. Have a wonderful holiday, and take good care.

Best,
E

 

[drctother]

Hey Eric, I didnt realize they interviewed both Dec 7th and Dec 8th. Thats crazy haha so many interviews. Regardless, we made it! Glad to hear you like Vancouver, its a beautiful city. It has its cons like any city though. Sounds good about the facebook page.

Take care and I hope you also have a great holiday!

 

[Ericthegray]

Hi there,
Eric French, TouroCOM class of 2015! Pleased to meet you. My wife, currently a 2nd year DO student at UNECOM, and I will be moving to the area when it makes most sense, and I am really looking forward to meeting my new classmates. I hope that you all had a wonderful holiday...hopefully, associated with some form of a break.

Best,
Eric French

[email protected]

 

[GTP]

hey. Question for everyone who had an open file interview: did adcom focus more on the primary or supplemental application? Or both? Thanks!!!

 

[DocEspana]

hey guys,

just wanted to throw my hat in the ring as a good person to ask random class questions about. Second year here. Ask away.

also: congrats to everyone who got in!!!

 

[Postal]

hey. Question for everyone who had an open file interview: did adcom focus more on the primary or supplemental application? Or both? Thanks!!!

For me I feel like they focused on both.

 

[Postal]

hey guys,

just wanted to throw my hat in the ring as a good person to ask random class questions about. Second year here. Ask away.

also: congrats to everyone who got in!!!

Hey Doc! Do most people attend lecture everyday or do they just watch recordings?

 

[drctother]

Im freaking out because my $2000 deposit is due Friday and I havent gotten a response after emailing my "Response Form" to Obed. On the response form it says I will get instructions how to send my cheque.....but so far nothing...and my deposit is due FRIDAY

Did you guys have similar delay? How picky are they that I meet he exact deadline?

Thanks

 

[Pisiform]

hey guys,

just wanted to throw my hat in the ring as a good person to ask random class questions about. Second year here. Ask away.

also: congrats to everyone who got in!!!

Hey Doc, long time no see !

 

[ny941932]

Im freaking out because my $2000 deposit is due Friday and I havent gotten a response after emailing my "Response Form" to Obed. On the response form it says I will get instructions how to send my cheque.....but so far nothing...and my deposit is due FRIDAY

Did you guys have similar delay? How picky are they that I meet he exact deadline?

Thanks

I think you should get in touch with bursar, that's what I did. No one got in touch with me, I called them.
Ramon Berrios is the guy in the bursar office who takes care of payments. He had someone set up a student ID for me, so I could then pay the deposit online with the credit card. His # and extension are on the Response form.

 

[DocEspana]

Hey Doc! Do most people attend lecture everyday or do they just watch recordings?

well the harder the class (Anatomy, Neuro, pathology in second year) the more people attend and the more fun the class (certain OMM classes and Clinical systems classes) the more people.

You'll honestly see a lot of people in class at the beginning of the year and tons for the above noted class (almost no one misses neuro, anatomy or path). But 8:00 classes and the less intense classes, especially as the year goes on, get less attended.

The school complains a lot about us not attending certain classes and yet showing up for the 'more liked' one right after it, but they always stream the classes and we all appreciate it even though they send passive aggressive e-mnails to us to attend more frequently.

 

[SML67]

Hey sammy,

for the $2000 deposit, did you have to pay it two weeks from the day you received the email/phone call of acceptance? Or is it two weeks after you let them know you will be accepting? (so in theory you could make your decision 2 weeks after your acceptance to send deposit)

Thanks,
Chris

Sorry I didn't respond to this earlier, but I am pretty sure it is 2 weeks from the date listed on your acceptance letter. But I would ask Obed to be sure.

 

[SML67]

Hi there,
Eric French, TouroCOM class of 2015! Pleased to meet you. My wife, currently a 2nd year DO student at UNECOM, and I will be moving to the area when it makes most sense, and I am really looking forward to meeting my new classmates. I hope that you all had a wonderful holiday...hopefully, associated with some form of a break.

Best,
Eric French

[email protected]

Welcome to the thread and nice to meet you! Looking forward to seeing you all in just 7 short months...

 

[DocEspana]

Hey Doc, long time no see !

yup. after a killer semester (and a vacation) im back on here for a bit. trying to be useful wherever possible.

 

[SML67]

Doc(or any other current TOURO-COM students for that matter)

It would be really helpful if you could type out a detailed list of all of the necessary books for first-years, and if you don't mind, some suggestions as well. It would really be appreciated. Thanks in advance.

Sammy

 

[Postal]

Doc(or any other current TOURO-COM students for that matter)

It would be really helpful if you could type out a detailed list of all of the necessary books for first-years, and if you don't mind, some suggestions as well. It would really be appreciated. Thanks in advance.

Sammy

Oh yeah that would be great! Is anyone taking advantage of the mentor program match thing?

 

[Postal]

well the harder the class (Anatomy, Neuro, pathology in second year) the more people attend and the more fun the class (certain OMM classes and Clinical systems classes) the more people.

You'll honestly see a lot of people in class at the beginning of the year and tons for the above noted class (almost no one misses neuro, anatomy or path). But 8:00 classes and the less intense classes, especially as the year goes on, get less attended.

The school complains a lot about us not attending certain classes and yet showing up for the 'more liked' one right after it, but they always stream the classes and we all appreciate it even though they send passive aggressive e-mnails to us to attend more frequently.

thx!

 

[Rada409]

Oh yeah that would be great! Is anyone taking advantage of the mentor program match thing?

I emailed them twice saying that I wanted to join it but no one responded to me. Anyone got any replies?

 

[SML67]

Also, any current students care to type out a day-by-day schedule with classes and times?

 

[DocEspana]

Also, any current students care to type out a day-by-day schedule with classes and times?

The schedules do vary somewhat year to year, but this is the 1st year, 1st semester schedule to the best of my memory

Monday: Either AM tests, or whole day off. (2nd years take their tests at 1pm, first years generally have all of theirs on mondays ending before noon)

Tuesday: 8 - biochem
9 - physio
10 - physio
11 - histology
--lunch--
1-5 - Anatomy (lecture then lab. You can usually leave lab early)

Wednesday: 8 - public health
9-12 - Primary Care Skills (usually 1 hour lecture and 1 hour lab with 1 hour off based on your lab)
--- lunch----
1-5 - anatomy (lecture then lab)

thursday 8 - biochem
9 - OMM lecture
10-12: OMM Lab
--- lunch ---
1-3: histology lab
3-5: Anatomy lab

Friday 8 - biochem
9 - physio
10 - histology
11 - histology
12 - go home, your weekend has begun

there is some variation since some classes (public health) are half a semester and other classes (primary care skills) dont start until a little into the semester. Just assume that if there are any changes, that it is adding more hours of anatomy lecture. Towards the end it gets very easy because you finish anatomy lab 3 weeks (or so) before the semester ends, so all those labs become free time.

Second semester is very similar but anatomy becomes Neuro and a few specialty classes (intro to clinical med, intro to micro, intro to pharm) pop in various places in the schedule. Its remarkably similar though.

generally speaking first year you're there 8-5 tues-thurs, but you can usually leave lab between 3:30 and 4:00 if you want. and 8-12 fridays.

 

[SML67]

Thanks so much Doc!

In terms of the book list, if it's easier for you to list the books that are labeled on the touro website as required but really aren't as well as a couple of recommended books, it would be much appreciated.

 

[DocEspana]

Okay lets give this a shot. Here is my disclaimer, teachers change and my opinion is my own. Its not law. But I'm a pretty 'normal' student who reads the book when its appropriate so i know which ones will be definitely needed.

Get these books
Netter's Atlas - If you want to study anatomy outside of the lab
Barr's Nervous system - absolutely needed
Bates Diagnostics - Absolutely get it. Skip all the add on garbage though.
Clinically oriented anatomy - 100% get
Ross Histology - You'll need to know this book cover to cover, unfortunately. Don't waste your time with the "image bank" like add on to the Ross book. Just get the main textbook.
Digiovanna Osteopathic Dx and Tx - get it. Some people read it a lot, some never open it. But it has every OMM technique known to man in it, so its a professional investment.
Hoppenfeld Spine and Extremities - same thing as Diogiovanna except it has every diagnostic test you'll ever use in a physical diagnosis.

Possibly get these
Abbas Immuno - if you dont have an immuno background (immuno is tough, but its more of a second year class)
"Before We Are Born" - I learned embryology 100% from online sources, but this is a good book if you prefer book reading.
Ferri's Lab Medicine and Imaging - we didnt have this class when i was a first year so i have no idea.
Grant Dissector - You should have one since you're supposed to read ahead before lab. But you'll never use it since the lab is full of these books.
Robbin's and Cotran path of diseases - didnt have this assigned last year. looks like something that is potential very interesting, but not vital.

Instead of buying these, put the money in your party fund
Epidemiology book - class is a joke. book is useless.
Medical Microbiology - actually great book, but the teacher is even better and there are review books that are more condensed. So you'll never need this one.
Boron Physiology - HAHAHA NO! DO NOT BUY! If you are afraid of physio get a BRS physio book. But do not get this monsterosity.
Netter's histology - appears to be the 'add on' for histo. Stick with Ross.
Golan Pharmacology - no need. Dr. Prancan is an amazing pharm teacher without the book.
Study a study, test a test - you'll never read it, and there is no need to, so dont bother. Just don't tell Dean Goldberg I told you that (its for his class!)
Genetics in medicine - you wont need a book to teach you genetics
Wheaters pathology - you'll be getting a MUCH better path book your second year, you can almost certainly skip this one.

now that is all the required books. the recommended ones.... well... ive seen most of the books on that list and they have pros and cons, so consider some (esp guyton physio if you have a weakness at physio) but i wont support any of them since i never really used any of those. Here are my suggestions for 'other books' you will definitely want to consider.

BRS Anatomy - amazing way to drill anatomy into your head.
BRS Physio - very simplistic, but good, physio.
Lippincott Biochem - I didnt see this on the list. This was my required biochem book and it is AWESOME. So buy it no matter what.
Microbiology made ridiculously simple - great book for microbiology.
Histotime - this is actually a PC program, look around for it (not *officially* suggesting you torrent it) as its an amazing program
Costanzo physio - a lot of people use this instead of Boron, the guy is the same one who wrote BRS physio. This is if you *really* need a physio textbook since the BRS ones are more of a high yeild review book.

thats all i can think of right now. good luck guys.

Thanks so much Doc!

In terms of the book list, if it's easier for you to list the books that are labeled on the touro website as required but really aren't as well as a couple of recommended books, it would be much appreciated.