<p>NJMOM3 - My son emailed The PSYCH professor (Miki Kitchen) re: the “Psychological Science” 4th Edition book because it’s a 2013 print that seems to come with “access” to an online version as well and is expensive at the school bookstore, and if you buy used there is no guarantee that you still get the online access anyway; but we found several other “4th Editions” on Amazon just printed in 2011 and 2012 (so they had different ISBN numbers) that may or may not have online access but my son prefers an actual book anyway- at least for now. We got a new one (4th Edition, 2012 print) from Amazon (3rd party vendor) for $68. He also asked about the book itself because another section of the PSYCH class had a completely different book listed. </p>
<p>Her response was this:
“Any version of the psychological science text is fine as long as you have the most recent edition… EBook, print, 3-ring…etc. You do not need any other text. Have a great rest of your summer.”</p>
<p>Then son emailed re: the CHEM book, there are 2 required texts listed but the professor (Dan Freeman) said, “Either one will do, which ever is cheapest. You also need the lecture notes, homework and lab book.” We ordered the lab book from the school bookstore. I’m not sure what he meant by ‘need the lecture notes and homework’ though - I assume that is what you take in class and do as homework, not a separate book (?). </p>
<p>I realize you can get books when you get there after classes start but based on my college experience (albeit 20 years ago) the lines can be long and you may end up settling on a new book that you could have gotten for less elsewhere. But that’s why I had my son confirm before purchasing in advance.</p>
<p>^^Some of that is why freshman year, with so much else going on, we opted to buy books at USC bookstore even though not the best deal sometimes. You can return for any reason a week (doublecheck time frame) after classes start with receipt…good if you get to class and realize you really don’t need book. You can also get full refund later if you bring proof you dropped class/changed section to one with another book.</p>
<p>After that it was easier to get list and compare prices between bookstore, Amazon, etc. Then we would look at cost difference. If it was close we opted for USC bookstore just because they are on the hook if it’s the wrong book. If you buy it somewhere else it’s up to you. We had problem one time with book where edition and ISBN matched but year didn’t and for some reason it was different than what professor wanted. </p>
<p>You can also start checking blackboard for class information. Sometimes professors will post information for the class there and at some point you can see class roster to see if you know anyone in the class.</p>
<p>Coleman - prof comments about notes and homework is probably just a hint that you have to come to class, take notes and do work…can’t pass tests with just textbook, although some students will try that:)</p>
<p>Edit to add: It’s fun to get stuff in notebooks and set up for class, but if any book or workbook comes shrink-wrapped do not open until you have been to class and are sure you need it. You won’t get full refund if unwrapped.</p>
<p>Thanks for that info Colemam 4! I was planning on ordering a lot of her books soon so that is very helpful information. My d also prefers to have an actual textbook. My older daughter likes to be able to highlight a book or put sticky notes in them and recommends that she get the actual book. I don’t know about you but I still have most of my nursing text books…although the info in them is surely obsolete! Thanks again for the help!</p>
<p>scmom12 - Thanks… I thought of that too, convenience of returning, but in these 2 cases (CHEM and PSYCH), the cost at the bookstore was literally double or more. In fact, one of them that I purchased was the same price the bookstore charged to rent. Totally agree with you though that if the price is close, then it’s worth it to go with the bookstore. Worst case, I end up selling them back on Amazon and paying more (at lot more in this case) at the bookstore and lesson learned. Good point about the shrink-wrap too- I’ll have to tell my son that b/c I can see him opening up straight away! </p>
<p>NJMOM3 - Yes, I still have some of my Nursing texts… and told my son, he might want to purchase those as opposed to rent for that reason (use as references). My mother gave him her old Tabor’s as part of graduation present!! More for posterity…the book is 50+ years old!</p>