What to buy before school

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yellowcat322

yellowcat322

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At the risk of sounding too eager to start med school, I want to ask if it's a good idea to buy anything, like texts or microscope, before school starts. I heard that it's good to invest in Netter's Anatomy (which edition is best?) but is there anything else you guys would recommend?
 
yellowcat322 said:
At the risk of sounding too eager to start med school, I want to ask if it's a good idea to buy anything, like texts or microscope, before school starts. I heard that it's good to invest in Netter's Anatomy (which edition is best?) but is there anything else you guys would recommend?
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A lot of schools rent you the microsope instead of making you buy one... so don't even bother buying a microscope yet. According to some of my friends, if you join AMSA (?) you get a free Netters. So don't buy that yet either.

I bought some scrubs since my school doesn't provide them for anatomy lab. I had a few BN gift certificates, so I bought Lippincotts Biochem and a few other things I knew I'd need for first year. I've been asking first years at my school what types of things I will need, so perhaps you should do that too. They'll give you the best advice.
 
Don't buy anything yet. Your school might have highly specific things they want you to get and may have deals for medical equipment and other items for students. Also, talk to students a year ahead of you at your school---they'll tell you what not to waste your money on.

And yeah, I got a free Netter for joining AMSA and signing up for an AMSA credit card.
 
it's good to know that i might not have to invest in things just yet; especially since most of my salary will go towards moving to out of state anyway; so i guess i'll take your advice and blow the left over cash on alcohol -- med school is around the corner so better start killing some brain cells
 
Some nice clothes so that you wear them to the exams.

That way, you'll still look good even if you failed the exams!!
 
LOL definately some new clothes!

what about non academic stuff? what are the essentials in med school other than books and stethescopes?

for example, a george foreman grill? nice pair of pajamas? portable tv?
 
you do NOT need to buy any books or supplies before med school. but you might want starting to pick up cheap shirts/ties/slacks as they come on sale. you're going to need a ton of them third year, so you might as well start collecting now as sales come up.
 
yellowcat322 said:
so i guess i'll take your advice and blow the left over cash on alcohol -- med school is around the corner so better start killing some brain cells
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good for you! Also, the vs semi-annual started today. Go spend some money there... it will make you happy 🙂
 
DrBuzzLightYear said:
you do NOT need to buy any books or supplies before med school. but you might want starting to pick up cheap shirts/ties/slacks as they come on sale. you're going to need a ton of them third year, so you might as well start collecting now as sales come up.
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ties/slack are necessary for 3rd year? damn it - i'm def a simple, tshirt/jeans kind of guy. i HATE dressing up.

is it choice or etiquette?
 
shawty ya'head said:
ties/slack are necessary for 3rd year? damn it - i'm def a simple, tshirt/jeans kind of guy. i HATE dressing up.

is it choice or etiquette?
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???!!!!

No choice...standard hospital and clinic attire for males is shirt & tie and slacks. The exception is if you are on call or on a surgical rotation when you can wear scrubs.
 
where do you guys get scrubs? what are the best kind of shirts and ties to get (brand) and where do you get them at?

oops, posted on my gf's name....
 
SteffJ said:
where do you guys get scrubs?
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I got my scubs from AllHeart. They're a little on the big side (pants are too long and shirt is way loose), but otherwise they're decent. I just bought them for anatomy lab, so I won't be wearing them for too long. I paid $15/set and then had to pay shipping and handling. If you do a search, you'll find a bunch of threads talking about scrubs. Some people recommended better quality/more expensive scrubs, so you can check those out too.
 
tinkerbelle said:
I got my scubs from AllHeart. They're a little on the big side (pants are too long and shirt is way loose), but otherwise they're decent. I just bought them for anatomy lab, so I won't be wearing them for too long. I paid $15/set and then had to pay shipping and handling. If you do a search, you'll find a bunch of threads talking about scrubs. Some people recommended better quality/more expensive scrubs, so you can check those out too.
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While on rotations, you wear hospital scrubs (which are free obviously).

My school did not require us to dress in scrubs for anatomy lab...all we needed was a lab coat and gloves. Don't buy any unless you really want some or you know you need them---after third and fourth year you may discover you have managed to acquire more than enough sets of scrubs to fill any needs you may have.
 
By a microscope. Not because you need it or anything, just because it's funny and you can carry it around saying, "anyone have anything they want to look at through my microscope?" That would be epic!
 
Just curious, but why would u reccommend NOT buying books before school starts. IMO if you wait til then it will be too late to get cheap deals on ebay, amazon etc and you'll be stuck paying full price at a book store..... However, I only think thats a good idea if you talk to current/past students about what books are needed/reccommended/a waste of time...

I just got all of my books through ebay/amazon/half.com etc and saved a buttload of money.....I highly reccommend doing that if you know exactly what you'll need
 
SteffJ said:
where do you guys get scrubs? what are the best kind of shirts and ties to get (brand) and where do you get them at?

oops, posted on my gf's name....
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Stole them from the hospital I worked at!

HAHAHA!
 
Taus said:
Just curious, but why would u reccommend NOT buying books before school starts. IMO if you wait til then it will be too late to get cheap deals on ebay, amazon etc and you'll be stuck paying full price at a book store..... However, I only think thats a good idea if you talk to current/past students about what books are needed/reccommended/a waste of time...

I just got all of my books through ebay/amazon/half.com etc and saved a buttload of money.....I highly reccommend doing that if you know exactly what you'll need
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because as it turned out I bought 2 textbooks the entire first 2 years of med school? if you get to class and see how complete your syllabus is, realize you'll only need a board review book to follow along with, you just wasted that much money on nonreturnable ebay books. even at PCOM, nobody can tell you "exactly" what you need as everyone is different...
 
nutmegs said:
buy an ipod. seriously. I think mine saved my sanity.
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or you could just complete this offer for a free ipod... it is how i got my free 20 gig ipod and free ipod shuffle....

http://www.freephotoiPods.com/?r=15363613

or click the link in my sig to see my 20 gig ipod/... havent posted shuffle yet.
 
fun8stuff said:
or you could just complete this offer for a free ipod... it is how i got my free 20 gig ipod and free ipod shuffle....
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Or you could start playing online poker! If you do it through the partner site you get free gifts. I got a free iPod and a couple other things for signing up through poker sites through their site. If you try it - www.pokersourceonline.com - put in my name as a referrer - Sage880.

*note: I have to remove all online poker software while I'm actually in school because it's sucks up all of my time.
 
Buy a crock pot, so you can have tasty meals even when critically busy. Then imagine yourself ten years from now, thinking 'man I wish I could have seen "..." before I settled down,' and buy a plane ticket there.

🙂

Good luck next year!
 
DON'T BUY ANY BOOKS BEFORE YOU START SCHOOL. My classmates wasted tons of money (like over a grand) on useless med school textbooks that acted as paperweights (and we didn't have class notes, just power points). Get BRS Gross Anatomy, BRS Physiology, Rohen's Color Atlas (in addition to Netter's, which you can totally get for free. I have like 3 unopened Netter's), Lippincott's Biochem, a used First Aid (just to kinda glance at, sometimes good for the mnemonics), a histo atlas, and that's about it. Some people like getting a phys textbook, or Moore's (for anatomy), but only get them if you're a textbook fanatic. And, for the love of jesus, don't get ANY medical equipment (except a decent stethoscope). Those ******s at Welch Allyn are going to try and sell you $600 of useless medical equipment (like a panopthalmoscope, which you'll never use and an otoscope and all that other crap). All that stuff is going to be in ANY hospital you'll rotate through. When and if you get into private practice (10 years from now) there will be new stuff anyway. You can borrow your unsuspecting classmates stuff during PD (I had NOTHING all year and it made not one wit of difference) and save a bunch of cash. Don't let those bullsh1t artists take all your student loan money. Save it for something good, like getting smashed after your first set of exams.
 
nimer1456 said:
good for you! Also, the vs semi-annual started today. Go spend some money there... it will make you happy 🙂
Click to expand...

🙂 Now that's some solid advice; nothing prepares you for med school mode more than hot pink thongs.


Thank you all for the advice guys. Considering I will be attending one of the priciest schools in the country I want to cut all the financial corners possible.
 
yeah, I would skip the IPOD, unless your school gives out pretty damn good PDA's you are going to want to get your own anyway second or third year, just get a good one now. My Dell Axim with a gig storage card works like an mP3, and holds about 200 songs with its gig storage card, I will never need more than that, but if I wanted to, here in the next 9 months they are going to come out with 2 and 3 gig cards... IPOD's are a waste.
 
if I had gotten my pda first year I would be missing out on a lot of features I'm glad I have. no reason to have the technology if it's just going to sit around for 2 years...
 
nutmegs said:
if I had gotten my pda first year I would be missing out on a lot of features I'm glad I have. no reason to have the technology if it's just going to sit around for 2 years...
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I would agree, except that if you are going to go spend 300 bucks on an IPOD you might as well just spend the extra 200 and get the PDA, rather than getting both. Money is tight for me at least, and its not like my PDA is jsut sitting there, I am using it for music, for a calendar, photo storage, contact keeper, and if I am really in a crunch an email device. As soon as I get Money on my desktop I am going to use it to track all my finances... so its defenitely not just sitting around.

but hey, if you have the dough to get both, get both. For those of us who have to watch the wallet, I would say just get the PDA now and skip the IPOD.
 
I'd go with the IPOD. Love mine. Can't workout with a PDA, more of a pain to move around with, and easier to use than a PDA. IPODs rock.
 
latinfridley said:
I'd go with the IPOD. Love mine. Can't workout with a PDA, more of a pain to move around with, and easier to use than a PDA. IPODs rock.
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Second that.

Running with a PDA strapped to your arm doesn't have the same effect.
 
TigerStripedDog said:
yeah, I would skip the IPOD, unless your school gives out pretty damn good PDA's you are going to want to get your own anyway second or third year, just get a good one now. My Dell Axim with a gig storage card works like an mP3, and holds about 200 songs with its gig storage card, I will never need more than that, but if I wanted to, here in the next 9 months they are going to come out with 2 and 3 gig cards... IPOD's are a waste.
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having actually used ipods, i agree that they are not worth the $300+... mainly because i dont have that kind of cash to spend... but they are very nice. i am glad that i got mine for free. there is no way that my PDA could replace my ipod, even w/ my 3 gig card (which are already out).

http://www.digitalcamerawarehouse.com.au/prod1390.htm (4gb)
 
fun8stuff said:
having actually used ipods, i agree that they are not worth the $300+... mainly because i dont have that kind of cash to spend... but they are very nice. i am glad that i got mine for free. there is no way that my PDA could replace my ipod, even w/ my 3 gig card (which are already out).

http://www.digitalcamerawarehouse.com.au/prod1390.htm (4gb)
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This is why you buy the mini ipod which holds PLENTY of songs (I have yet to fill mine up more than 3/4 capacity) and I spent exactly $169 on mine. Never underestimate ebay as a valuable source for new, unused electronics.

And I concur with those advising against a PDA. Won't need it for another two years and would be a wiser investment to purchase later on because you never know what innovations are going to pop up in a year or so.

What I'm purchasing before school starts is an apartment so as not to throw my money into the crapper paying rent, and a month traveling abroad before I'm up to my eyeballs in debt.
 
one advantage for me w/my ipod is that i put every CD i own on it. now, i don't have to carry like 200 cds around with me in a huge case. i have it hooked up in my car through a xm radio receiver and it works like a charm 👍
 
cammy1313 said:
This is why you buy the mini ipod which holds PLENTY of songs (I have yet to fill mine up more than 3/4 capacity) and I spent exactly $169 on mine. Never underestimate ebay as a valuable source for new, unused electronics.,

And I concur with those advising against a PDA. Won't need it for another two years and would be a wiser investment to purchase later on because you never know what innovations are going to pop up in a year or so.

What I'm purchasing before school starts is an apartment so as not to throw my money into the crapper paying rent, and a month traveling abroad before I'm up to my eyeballs in debt.
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yeah, i thought 20 gigs would have been enough before got mine too. heck, the 6 gig minis are probably enough for most people, but i have about 30 gigs worth of music. i now feel that i would love to have one of the 60 gig ipods. it is really nice to have just about every song i own on me. that way if i am at a party and want to play party music (itrip to a stereo), then i can play party music... and i can either play 80s, 90s, or '00's party music via playlist. If i'm in the mood for 80s rock, then i can click on that playlist.

Another thing good about the size is that you can use them as an external harddrive. So, if i have huge file (like a game or ripped dvd) that i want to move to my desktop computer from my laptop, i can use my ipod. this is why i try and keep about 2 gigs open.
 
So how do you get the free Netter's with AMSA membership? I just went to their website and they didn't mention it, even on the MBNA app page. 😕
 
WhoisJohnGalt said:
So how do you get the free Netter's with AMSA membership? I just went to their website and they didn't mention it, even on the MBNA app page. 😕
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you have to wait. be calm. be patient. you will get it when you need it. spend the time until then breathing deeply and repeating "I will not be a gunner that everybody hates"
 
nutmegs said:
you have to wait. be calm. be patient. you will get it when you need it. spend the time until then breathing deeply and repeating "I will not be a gunner that everybody hates"
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Hey hey don't go using words like "gunner"... it's about being POOR and wanting it for FREE, not about wanting it before school starts 🙂
 
WhoisJohnGalt said:
Hey hey don't go using words like "gunner"... it's about being POOR and wanting it for FREE, not about wanting it before school starts 🙂
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then simmer down, sir. AMSA will inform you endlessly when the time is right, let there be no doubt. nearly everyone in your class will do it. look for them at your activities fair type thing.
 
nutmegs said:
you have to wait. be calm. be patient. you will get it when you need it. spend the time until then breathing deeply and repeating "I will not be a gunner that everybody hates"
Click to expand...
LMAO!!
 
Smurfette said:
While on rotations, you wear hospital scrubs (which are free obviously).

My school did not require us to dress in scrubs for anatomy lab...all we needed was a lab coat and gloves. Don't buy any unless you really want some or you know you need them---after third and fourth year you may discover you have managed to acquire more than enough sets of scrubs to fill any needs you may have.
Click to expand...

Disgusting. We spent so much time in the lab; I didn't want any of the cadaveric remains (smell, too) coming home with me. Get a dedicated pair of scrubs for lab.
 
Absolutely nothing. You should probably ask the second years once school starts what you need. Don't buy books and then move with them. You do not need a PDA as technology is changing so fast, it would be a waste to get a new one....so use your old one for now (until you get to 3rd year you'll probably need another PDA anyhow).

What I bought before med school...A trip to Cancun 🙂 This is gonna be your one of your last free summers. Enjoy.


Ok back to these precious melanocytes and the beloved western blotting🙂
 
Some advice for first years:
If you are working at a lab currently, try to sneak home a box of gloves for anatomy lab. Yes, some anatomy labs (like jefferson) expect you to buy your own gloves. A few disposable plastic aprons are also helpful.
If possible, try to get ahold of the purple nitrile gloves, since the latex gloves do not keep out the formaldehyde as well. Also bring a squirt bottle of liquid handsoap to lab, since the powdered soap they provide does not work well.
 
AMSA's free netter has a catch. So i think to get the book, you either have to sign up to get a credit card (OK, no big deal) or join AMSA ($65 down the drain). It's just my opinion about the wastedness of the dollars.

I second Elysium on the total uselessness of buying an ophthalmoscope--and the cardiology-grade stethoscope---during first year. The equipment people are scammers preying on your excitement to be real doctors with fun toys.
 
DrThom said:
Second that.

Running with a PDA strapped to your arm doesn't have the same effect.
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am I the only one who still works out with a Sony Walkman (tape player)??

I'm not buying anything (except clothes, cds and DVDs!) until orientation
 
carrigallen said:
Some advice for first years:
If you are working at a lab currently, try to sneak home a box of gloves for anatomy lab. Yes, some anatomy labs (like jefferson) expect you to buy your own gloves. A few disposable plastic aprons are also helpful.
If possible, try to get ahold of the purple nitrile gloves, since the latex gloves do not keep out the formaldehyde as well. Also bring a squirt bottle of liquid handsoap to lab, since the powdered soap they provide does not work well.
Click to expand...

Thanks... I'll start stealing stuff from the lab immediately. As high as tuition is at jeff they should give out all the supplies 🙂 .
 
Save your money. Seriously -- if you have some extra cash, hold onto it now -- you'll appreciate having a little extra cushion for the next year for buying coffee, going out to dinner/movies/drinks, etc. Also, you may need the extra money to set up your appartment.

I second the no buying of books yet -- when you get to school, some students may be selling books from first year anyways. Also, graduation is a great time to pick up books for MS2-4 years really cheap.

A stethoscope isn't a bad idea, especially if you can talk a friend or family member into buying it as a gift.
 
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