Cost of Books and Supplies

[ruru107]

Does anyone have a yearly estimate for books and supplies within the humanities? I'm going into an art history program this fall, and I'm trying to create a budget. As an undergrad (also art history), I never spent more than $200 or $250 a semester on books and supplies, and that was usually during a semester with a computer class (requiring access codes, etc.) or with a studio class (with expensive paint). I don't expect to spend that much in grad school, but maybe I'm wrong... The school estimates over $800 a year for books and supplies for graduate students, which seems ridiculously high to me. Can anyone clue me in?

[TMP]

You do read a book every week. You probably should ask the current students for an idea of how much you should expect to spend in your program.

[GreenePony]

On my university supplied estimate they said 900 a semester, I can't imagine that's actually accurate (but then in ug I never spent more than 250 a semester, last two semesters I spent <50 each time, even with reading classes). I joined my field's national organization partially so I can get a discount in their bookstore which has a lot of the books I imagine I will need.

[katiemk1230]

Maybe it depends on required vs. optional reading (though then you get into that gray area of whether or not "optional" really means optional)? They may also be arriving at that figure under the assumption that you'd buy books brand new, and maybe from the campus bookstore. For example in undergrad, buying books at the bookstore might have run me 400-500, but renting them on a site like chegg or buying them used off amazon would cost me half that. I'm not sure if it's going to be more important to own your books in grad school than in undergrad, but my input is to rent if at all possible. Not only is it cheaper, but they tend to have wider selection and you don't have to hunt down the right edition of some book at a decent cost.

[OregonGal]

I think that because it's "books and supplies" they are not only assuming you're buying new books, but that you'll also be buying some expensive equipment like a laptop, printer, etc. I'm crossing my fingers and hoping that my yearly expense is not nearly the $1800 my school has as the line item in the COA budget.

[Dal PhDer]

It certainly depends on your program/discipline...my text books per semester for 3 classes normally cost <$200. I would even try and get them cheaper through Amazon!

Supplies on the other hand are different. Most programs expect you to have a laptop (expect is the wrong word- require is more like it!), and you may need to buy additional software (normally a cheap student version). I have been fortunate that aside from my laptop, my supervisor has covered these costs. I have also been able to get paper/pens/highlighters from the department for use instead of having to buy them! YAY!

[TheFez]

Here's a way to check.... most programs list their current grad students and their emails. Send a couple of notes to current students and ask them. You might get a couple of data points. (You can always tell the theorists from the experimentalists).

Edited May 19, 2012 by TheFez

[ladybug3]

As others say, it really depends. During my undergrad I did 5-6 courses per semester and spent about $1000 a semester on books. I tried to buy used when I could, but with the Psychology program at my undergrad it seemed pretty typical for a newly updated book to be used every year. To be fair, sometimes I had all year courses so the $200-250 I spent (on one book) would last me the whole year, but for the most part this was not the case.

Anyways, what I am saying is that the expensive fee you are claiming on supplies would be heaven for a student who spends so much more each semester. I am sure the school you go to as well as the specific program you are in plays a large role. My friends who were English majors bought far more books than I did, but spent a fraction of the cost as their books were usually common novels that they could shop around for...