First textbook shocker for the coming years - S’s EMT textbook is $489 before tax.
Used copies are $80 or so, but it appears he’ll need the super-pricey Premier access code which means used / rented won’t work.
I’ve asked him to confirm with his instructor that they need the access code at all, much less the most expensive level.
@DiotimaDM O.M.G. I’m…just…I’m going to pretend I didn’t read your last post, and creep…very…quietly…away. Right now, graduation party planning doesn’t sound so bad. What madness has outrageous book costs led me to! =))
Wow, I’d have your son check with students who have taken the class before whether he really needs that premier access code (maybe they know how to get around it). I don’t think my junior engineering son has ever bought a engineering text book for any class - they seem to have more problem sets and online materials, etc.
@melvin123, yes the AP tests are wonky this year. DD was planning on going abroad for her senior project but AP’s are late this year so senior project and AP’s overlap so dd had to stay in town for her senior project. It also sucks bc she had to keep attending her AP classes until the exam is done.
Orientation date reserved at 6am this morning, check. 3 AP tests this week, housing/dorm selection on Monday, two more AP tests next Tuesday and Wednesday, Awards night next week as well, and letter from GU should arrive by next Thursday informing S of whether he got off the waitlist. First family guests arrive on Friday. Amidst all of that, first graduation “parties” begin THIS weekend! It all seems a bit half$$ backwards, but it is what it is.
@Nomorelurker So your by GU waitlist is that Georgetown? If so your son is going to be a Bulldog one way or another…Good luck to him.
Senioritis has hit our household. DS has DE finals this week and AP tests next week…and he is working this weekend. Last night: DS: “I’m going to play basketball with friends”. Me: “Don’t you have studying to do?” DS: “I’m so DONE with school”. SIGH
Ouch - expensive text! Anyways, I think it is possible to buy just the access code to go with the used text but I think they sock it to you on that as well.
@DiotimaDM after 4 years of undergrad and another 3 in P.T. School, I shudder at what DS spent on books. My DS is convinced text books - access codes etc etc are about the biggest scam going.
The one that always got us was when a professor had written a book, they then bundled that book with others as a class requirement and because of the bundle there was no way around it - double wham book scam. $-)
@S18D20mom My co-workers son has some serious senioritis as well, Mom has been heard to say “just don’t flunk anything”.
About 5 years ago I took a language class at a local state college. That access code was critical. You needed it to do the verbal portions of the exam and it really helped with the homework because it was interactive. So you did fewer questions on concepts that you got right and more questions on concepts that you’re not understanding along with explanation of the concept they were testing if you got the question wrong. There were a couple of kids in the class that didn’t purchase the access code because of cost, and the teacher really worked with them to help ameliorate the issue, but I think those kids were missing out. FWIW, in these 2 kids cases, judging by their daily Starbucks cups, clothes, and talk about what they did over the weekend, I think not buying the code was a choice of how they wanted to allocate their resources. I felt that the code really provided so much value that if I thought the kids actually couldn’t have afforded it I would have paid it for them.
“Mom has been heard to say “just don’t flunk anything”.”
I’ve said something similar to my D. And no arrests! 
Amazon is cheaper than the school bookstore (as always), and I found a discount code to buy direct from the publisher for even less than Amazon, but we’re still looking at $325 for book-plus-code.
I’m waiting for him to find out if the code is required, and then I’ll pull the trigger.
And no impaired driving!
And no pregnancies!
@DiotimaDM how’d you get the code form the publisher? Just google the publisher and go to its website, or something else? That’s really helpful info.
Yeah, engineering textbooks are very expensive. I found that after the introductory classes there are fewer required textbooks as they have more problem sets and also project work.
@melvin123 Google the name of the publisher and words like “coupon code,” “discount code,” or “promotion code.” 
Example: jones bartlett learning promotion code
In this case, RetailMeNot and other sites had a selection of codes to pick from. Not all of them work, but I found a %25 off one that did. I can buy just the access code, but with the discount, book+code is about the same as used book plus separate code.
Not all publishers will let individuals buy direct.
S18’s exams were his AP practice tests last week, which was nice. He was exempt from exams in his non-AP courses. He has 3 AP tests this week, and 2 next week. Surprisingly, he is not grousing about still having to study. I think he wants to reap the results of the effort he put into the AP classes, and he sees the value of testing out of some core classes in college.
@burghdad, yes, S will attend a school that starts with “George” one way or the other :-). Destined to be a Bulldog as you said!
Following up on @suzy100 comment about no arrests…if your kids take any prescription medicines, make sure that they keep them in their prescription bottle at all times. I know someone who got pulled over for speeding and had a prescription pill out of its bottle in plain sight and was arrested. They were able to prove in court that it was legitimate but now they have to reply “yes” if they are asked if they were ever arrested and are out a couple of thousand dollars in attorneys fees.