<p>Would it be better to purchase books for the Bio, Chem, Physics, Psych, Sociology, etc... classes to save for MCAT study vs renting the books, or is it more efficient to buy study guides, use notes, and/or take an MCAT study course? I can save a bunch next semester renting books for my D, but don't want to do this if she will need those books in a few years for MCAT studying. </p>
<p>Both kiddos kept some textbooks from college, but generally used other materials to study for the MCAT. Both took a MCAT prep class, not for the content, but mostly for the access to additional to practice materials/exams. Both used commercially available workbooks/practice exams to prep. </p>
<p>D2 may have kept her Ochem text to review since she knew she wasn’t going straight to med school. (Or maybe she just used her sister’s ochem book to review. I can’t remember now.)</p>
<p>But really, it’s matter of personal preference. Different students study in different ways.</p>
<p>As for the renting vs buying dilemma. Kidlets used to buy used texts (from internet sources, not the college bookstore) then resell them after the class was over. Often the net was cheaper than renting.</p>
<p>My son sells all his textbooks as soon as class is over. He buys everything used on Internet. Just sold all his books from fall 2014 and bought books for spring 2015. So all his spring books will cost him $27. Freshman year we didn’t know any better and he bought all his books in book store used. But when we looked online later we realized that we overpaid a lot.
As for MCATs he took a kaplan prep course and only used their prep books and online material to study. He just kept his ORGO books since he tutors it at school. </p>
<p>S sold all textbooks when college course was done. He took a Princeton Review MCAT prep course and relied solely on their materials</p>
<p>Thanks for the info! Looks like we will rent this semester, and purchase Ochem next year, especially if the same book will be used for two semesters (like chemistry is this year) and possible MCAT studying. Renting seems to be the way to go vs buying used and reselling for a book that will only be used one semester, unless I’m missing something. For example, I can rent one of the Bio books for $27 and some change which includes shipping. The cheapest I found used is on Craigslist for $90 (can probably get seller to take $75 or $80 if it’s still even available). Online used prices start at $110. I did get lucky and found a sociology book needed for next semester for .40 cents, but no such luck with the biology books. </p>
<p>With textbooks, it varied what we did depending on the course. We rented some, bought some used, resold most. For MCAT, study materials geared for the test are probably the most efficient way to study rather than using old textbooks. D self studied for MCAT using Kaplan and Princeton review materials, but was most successful by taking an MCAT prep course (she took Kaplan). </p>
<p>When renting from internet companies, be sure to check the “return before date”–some require texts to be shipped back before finals. As much as 2 weeks before.</p>
<p>When searching for used texts, consider looking for international versions or earlier editions. Often the changes are minor and the prof will allow their use. Your D should also check Zimmerman. The library keeps reserved copies of textbooks for in-library use. (The book can’t be taken out of the library, but she can photocopy the problem sets from the current edition if she’s using an older version of the text.)</p>
<p>If you are savvy sometimes you can find 20% off discount coupons for book re-sellers (like Alibris and Abe Books). </p>
<p>Thank you, @WayOutWestMom! I did find a couple of the books that would have shipped from other countries. The one I bought for .40 cents is an international version. The return due date is 5/31 for the books I rented, so that gives D plenty of time to return them. I only need to buy one online access code this semester which is the 2nd semester of chemistry, but the class uses the same textbook, so I’m thrilled about that!I It’s good to know about the library access, too! </p>
<p>@dheldreth, I’m glad to know that! Trying to go back and study through the textbooks seems daunting, but I really wasn’t sure (and neither was D) about study materials. We knew about the Kaplan course which D will most likely take. Fitting it into an already tight schedule will be a challenge when the time comes.</p>