Value of Scanning Your Medical Books

[exmissionary]

---

Members do not see this ad.

I start medical school here in a little bit and was just reciently given our book list ($1500 and 25 books). At my Undergraduate University we have this really cool page scanner. The quality is as good as it gets... but you have to cut the binding off the books. I could probably scan all my books in a couple hours. It's just a big risk doing so because once the binding is cut... they are useless.

1) Would any of you students say that it would be more benificial to have these books digitally scanned?

2) Do you carry your books to class everyday?

3) How long do most people hold on to these books? Is the resale value great?

I just think that if I need to bring all these books to school with me everyday... it might be nice to put them on a flash drive or something.

 

[gravitywave]

it's entirely possible that your school will give you free access to mdconsult, accessmedicine, etc - in which case many of your texts will be online.

 

[cpants]

The resale value can be pretty strong, especially if you don't write in the books and keep them in good condition. The next year's class will be buying the same books, so if the edition stays current you can probably get 60-70% of the cost. If a new edition comes out you can probably still get 20-30%. On 1500 bucks worth of books you could probably get back minimally 600 bucks if you hustle to get them sold.

By the way, you should try to buy your books used, because then you can get them much cheaper. Seek out upperclassmen looking to sell and check out amazon/bn. Also, as gravity mentioned, many of the books may be available online through your library for free.

I don't see much advantage to having all of the books scanned in. Personally, I'd rather read from a paper copy. It's also unlikely that you would need more than 2-3 books with you at any given time, so it won't be that big a deal to carry them.

 

[ACSurgeon]

I'd wait before dropping 1500 on books... my school had required and recommended texts that almost nobody ever bought because we had course notes written by the course instructors that were fairly comprehensive.

Regarding scanning: if you like electronic access, and don't mind losing the ability to sell your books, do it. Personally, I prefer reading printed material to highlight/write, etc.

 

[okal]

Why not just use a camera and convert it to pdf? Then your binds are still in pristine condition and you can use a search function (the best reason to get electronic copies of your books). I have a friend who does it for $5/book and it works great.

 

[ruiner]

I would not do this. Almost all of my books have come with an online version I can access on my computer. That sounds great, but I haven't used it once since starting last fall.

 

[bomgd3]

I've found that the most convenient way to save money is to just buy the previous edition of a book. You won't really miss out on anything, but old editions often only cost a few dollars.

 

[turkeyjerky]

I'd wait before dropping 1500 on books... my school had required and recommended texts that almost nobody ever bought because we had course notes written by the course instructors that were fairly comprehensive.

Regarding scanning: if you like electronic access, and don't mind losing the ability to sell your books, do it. Personally, I prefer reading printed material to highlight/write, etc.

Agree with this. Don't buy any of those books. Definitely don't buy any of those books until you get to school in the fall and are able to talk to upper-level students about good books. Alternatively, you could search the threads on this board to see which books are good. Odds are that those books they're telling you to buy are large textbooks that are almost useless for your purposes. I found that most of the time, the "recommended" or "required" textbook was some text that was 3X longer than needed and overly verbose, but also, inexplicably, left out most of the pertinent information that we actually had to know for exams and step 1.

 

[da8s0859q]

Agree with this. Don't buy any of those books. Definitely don't buy any of those books until you get to school in the fall and are able to talk to upper-level students about good books.

This.

OP, I purchased maybe... I don't know, less than 1/5 of our "required" book list when we started. Most of those books have barely ever been used.

"Required" in terms of actual textbooks is a misnomer at many med schools. At least here, most of us stick to class materials and board review books -- BRS, Rapid Review series, First Aid, that sort of thing.

Talk to your school's current students before you do things like that. Might save you some time and money.

 

[jdc5]

I have to agree with most of the above posts. To sum up...

1. Many "required" books are useless. That means it is almost guaranteed that upper levels will be trying to offload them. I think it was AMSA or AMA that held a yearly book-sale.
2. Talk with some of the upper levels before purchasing these books. There is nothing saying you need all of the books before med school starts, so get some advice and read some reviews. You'll also find out which, if any, professors actually use books as part of their material
3. The library is your friend. While I definitely purchased quite a few review books, most of your required texts are in the library physically if not available online.

So save yourself a few hundred bucks and take a trip to vegas instead!

 

[cpants]

Would also like to add, that even if you are a textbook person, the required books are often not the best book available. For example, our school required some 1000 page tome for physiology. Costanza, at half the size provided much better explanation and figures. You don't have to use their books. You just have to learn the material.

 

[exmissionary]

Yah, I don't have to worry about the cost of my books. The military will be paying for them.

I assume I will just get them anyways???

I do notice that my school has a lot of these books available online and that solves my scanning issue.

 

[MossPoh]

Unlike some undergrad classes where you have to do certain questions or whatever else, you can get whatever books you like most for medical school. The books they recommend aren't always the best ones.

I'm a book person and have tons of them compared to my peers and I don't even have all of the recommended.

 

[exmissionary]

Unlike some undergrad classes where you have to do certain questions or whatever else, you can get whatever books you like most for medical school. The books they recommend aren't always the best ones.

I'm a book person and have tons of them compared to my peers and I don't even have all of the recommended.

Do you think you will be using these books in years to come?

 

[The Coon]

Do you think you will be using these books in years to come?

I will likely keep a few books just in case I need to check up on a topic: FA/Robbins/Rapid Review/Netters.....Other than than, I will likely sell my books to an incoming first year.