Thread: What are the necessary 1st semester books?

Title says it all. I was just wondering what books are necessary for first semester and whether they are better to buy on the island or in US before I come down there.

Listing the Book name, author, and edition would be most appreciated! (Also the price that you got it for if you remember)

Thank you and MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!

I had asked the same question and based on the responses, you don't need to buy any books for first semester.

If you however insist on getting any books, many suggested in getting Netter's Anatomy and the BRS anatomy, which is what I did. (I got them both for 30 and 25 each off amazon).

I heard that there is a first semester book sale within the first two weeks of classes where you can probably get most of your books and much cheaper. Definitely, don't get them from universitybooksonline.com. They rip you off.

Thank you for your reply! However, will the slides and notes really be enough to get A's?
Did you buy the books new? Those are good prices
Also, though I truly respect your answer, I wouldn't mind hearing some others confirming or adding on to your post!

Thank you again!

I second D0C2b's reply, I wish I never bought all those books and supplies from universitybooksonline, never used any of them

The only people who buy new books are the uninformed first semesters. The only thing you will ever want is a BRS here and there and perhaps Robbins Path and First Aid later on.

Followup question,
Perhaps this is overthinking too much, but is it common for the professors to make reference to the textbook in lecture or in the powerpoint pages? In other words, does it appear that the professors themselves generally use the required text for their respective courses as a reference when preparing the lectures?

Originally Posted by bigjohnshea

Followup question,
Perhaps this is overthinking too much, but is it common for the professors to make reference to the textbook in lecture or in the powerpoint pages? In other words, does it appear that the professors themselves generally use the required text for their respective courses as a reference when preparing the lectures?

Yes some do but it is not necessary to use it. It has more to do with providing another source if you dont understand and is not "required" reading. Go to the library if you need other sources and dont want to spend the money.

Thank you.


Hope everybody had a fun Christmas Holiday!

Originally Posted by Plasmus

Thank you for your reply! However, will the slides and notes really be enough to get A's?
Did you buy the books new? Those are good prices
Also, though I truly respect your answer, I wouldn't mind hearing some others confirming or adding on to your post!

Thank you again!

The BRS was brand new and Netters was like new condition.

Originally Posted by Plasmus

Thank you for your reply! However, will the slides and notes really be enough to get A's?
Did you buy the books new? Those are good prices
Also, though I truly respect your answer, I wouldn't mind hearing some others confirming or adding on to your post!

Thank you again!

Profs test from the notes and whether you get an A will be based on if you understand it (including what many would consider non-essential details). If you don't understand the material than use other stuff. If you do understand it from the notes then you don't need anything else as they wont ask questions that are not on the slides or weren't explicitly discussed in class (this is typically grounds for having a question thrown out).

And as an FYI dont expect to get all As especially after 1st semester. Your class test averages will range from 69.5-78 typically (with the exceptions of ICM and Biostats) so someone with all 90s is doing exceptionally well (ie typically 2 standard deviations beyond the mean in the few classes that bother to give us complete statistics). Deans list is 88 and there will typically be 15%ish of the student body on the list (more in the 1st semester, less thereafter). The "average" student at AUC is typically a 77-79 student. I hope you are one of the exceptions but AUC does not have grade inflation like most US undergrad institutions and doesnt spoonfeed like some US medical schools.