- Is it better to wait until after the first class to purchase textbooks?
- The bookstore look up doesn't list a few of my daughter's classes? (I assume for those I have my answer for #1 above.) 3.The bookstore seems to have packages - textbooks, study guides, etc. - specifically tailored for Pitt by the professors. That seems like the better way to go, than searching some random websites. Any advice here?
- What other consideration should we keep in mind re; textbooks?
I like to plan ahead so I don’t like the idea to wait until classes start and then scramble. But that seems to be the general advice that my D has heard. To make sure you get what your professor wants.
Any input from Pitt upperclassmen or experienced parents is appreciated.
I’m like you - like to get it all ready before day 1. I usually take the isbn’s and find the texts on used book sites like amazon or chegg - only issue is these “pitt special” editions that have isbn’s that aren’t avail on these sites - even with doing that, my kids say some of these books weren’t really used.
Wow, textbooks are expensive enough, I would be peeved if they weren’t even used.
Well first, don’t buy new - that saves a ton - and then send each kid to Pitt like me so you can hand them down!!!
Since your schedule should be pretty much set by now (with the exception of the last few people who have not done PittStart) I highly recommend buying books ahead of time. If you are not sure if the book is mandatory or not- email the professor teaching the course and ask. Also email to see if you can buy an older edition of the book instead.
I will say this (for SSOE) every main book in your course list is worth buying (the supplementals are at your own discretion) and are worth the money you spend on them. Textbooks are valuable resources later- so don’t sell them back at the end of the year! I had to rebuy some of my undergrad books in grad school because of how good the background material/text was. Major regret.
My DS used both Amazon and Half.com which is Ebay’s site before classes started. Just do be careful with versions. He accidentally purchased a version of a book for a Pharmacy school class that was an edition in English but for use in Asia. He couldn’t re-sell it so we took a loss on that one. If he wasn’t sure he’d just wait and buy for those classes at the bookstore.
Although there will be books that you will want to keep, don’t forget that you can rent books for much cheaper for elective classes, etc… My kids (and I) have used Chegg and Amazon but there are other sites out there that rent books. It’s worth checking into. Another option for purchasing books is to hook up with a student who is ahead of you in the program and buy their books from them at the end of each semester. My son has had a number of older students offer to sell him their books because they don’t want to go through the hassle of trying to sell them back to the bookstore.
Can you tell me about the RF clicker? D’s Engineering Analysis clsss has that listed as required.
Should she assume it is needed and can she only buy it at the Pitt bookstore?
You can only get it at the bookstore and once you buy it, the clicker will be connected via a unique code to the student ID of your D (i.e. you can’t sell it to someone else, a huge PITA). I’m surprised it’s required for Engineering Analysis though, I don’t remember anyone using it in the past- I guess it would be worth double checking with the professor to see if it is truly needed or not (for instance, in my physics and chem class, we used clickers, but the class had a set that we used for that term, so the students did not have to buy their own)
She just checked with the prof - he says he never uses clickers. Hah!
Thanks!
Question about book rentals - anyone know if Chegg is the safest company to rent from?
Was reading some complaints about amazon rentals not finding returns.
@scholarme I personally have been using Chegg for the past 2 years for my books and have never had an issue. My kids use it too. My son and I have also used Amazon without issue. I would recommend both.
Thanks @curiousinpa !
@awesomepossum or @amandakayak do you remember if engineering uses the same Chem textbook for Chem 1 & Chem 2?
PS latest on the RF clicker - needed for freshman Engineering Seminar (but not for Engineering Analysis).
Does anyone know how long does it usually take a Professor to list the books? Only one of my classes has my books listed and I’m trying to purchase as early as possible, should I email them?
Yes my D said the same.
@Scholarme, I’m sorry if it seemed I was answering your question about the Chem books, I have no clue!
I was agreeing with @SteelWill. My D said she did not have books posted yet either.