candyman92486

M,

Unfortunately, you will not know what books you'll need until you get to campus and receive the syllabi for your classes. Even though some of the introductory science and math courses rely on the same texts year after year, most students hesitate to order their texts online for fear of purchasing the wrong edition.

I can tell you, though, that you'll definitely need the Seventh Edition of Campbell & Reece's Biology for BIO 101/102. You did say you were thinking of majoring in Biology, right? I wouldn't hesitate to purchase it online (half.com, eBay, etc.)

If you knew for certain that you'd be assigned to a specific professor's lecture, you could always ask them about course texts via email. However, as incoming students, you were not allowed to specify specific sections of the classes you desired, so I guess this really isn't an option for you.

Most students just buy their books at the College Bookstore at exorbitant prices. If you get there quickly enough, you'll find used texts for sale at discounted prices. There is usually no other viable option due to time constraints...oftentimes you need the texts right away.

Assuming the process remains unchanged, you'll find out which classes you are assigned to upon arriving to campus. A printed schedule will be waiting for you in your campus mailbox.

You should definitely set up the account with the College Bookstore. That way, you can purchase items without having to use precious cash. Your Lafayette ID acts just like a credit card...purchases made on your bookstore account are placed on a monthly statement and billed home.

For incoming students, it has become the Registrar's job to create preliminary class schedules (I say "preliminary" because there remains the option of changing classes during the first few weeks of the semester). You will be placed in the classes you indicated if sections remain open and if there are no time conflicts with your other desired classes. This whole online registration process is entirely new this year, and the Registrar thought it would be easier if incoming students just listed the courses they were most interested in. FYI, this is NOT how registration normally works. With Spring registration (which will occur in November), you will be allowed to choose specific course sections and professors.

If I confused you with my comments (I tend to drag on at times), I'd be more than happy to clarify anything.

- Justin