<p>Back at June orientation I stopped by the campus Bookstore to price out textbooks. D's estimated bill came to nearly $800. Frankly, I'm suspicious of the Bookstore's "required package" for classes like Biol 1030, Chem 1010, Comm 1500, Math 1020, which bundle with online access codes I'm not sure even get used. It would be way cheaper to buy used copies of just the text itself from Amazon, Half.com, and other suppliers.</p>
<p>Are these full "required package" bundles really needed in these and other intro classes?</p>
<p>Every class that requires an online access code (contrary to what you think) uses the access codes. For CHEM 1010, the program (at least when I was a freshman) is MasteringChemistry, MTHS 1020 is probably MyMathLab and these are the programs your student will use to submit some of their homework assignments so they’re definitely crucial. So yes, they’re really needed. You could look at buying the textbook used and access code separately but most of the time I have found it comes out to about the same price if not more. The good news is that most of these classes with access codes are freshman year where there are many students taking the classes so it makes it easier for professors to give out homework without having to grade thousands of papers.</p>
<p>Fun fact: The cost of college textbooks in the U.S. has risen faster than the cost of healthcare, house prices, and inflation.</p>
<p>Thanks a bundle, Pierre. ;)</p>
<p>My daughter goes to a different school but we were able to buy used books and then buy the codes online. We saved some money. You have to check online to be sure you can get the correct items. Also be sure that it is just the book and a code. Sometimes they include packets, workbooks etc. My son’s physics packet is just easier to pay the money then to find all of the components.</p>