* The course: Some courses require expensive, specialized textbooks, while others might use open educational resources (OER) which are free.
* The professor: Professors have some leeway in choosing textbooks, and some might opt for newer, pricier editions.
* The format: New hard copies are the most expensive, followed by used copies, rentals, and then digital versions (which can sometimes be cheaper but not always).
* Where you buy them: Buying from the campus bookstore is often more convenient but usually more expensive than buying used online (Amazon, Chegg, etc.) or renting.
To get an idea of costs, you could:
* Check the bookstore's website: Boston College's bookstore website will likely list required textbooks for upcoming semesters once they are available. You can then get a sense of the price range.
* Contact the professors directly: Professors often list required texts on their syllabi (once the syllabus is available), which will give you the exact titles and potentially an idea of whether used options would be suitable.
* Use a price comparison website: Websites like Chegg or Amazon allow you to compare prices from different sellers once you know the required books.
Expect to budget a significant amount for textbooks each semester, potentially ranging from a few hundred to over a thousand dollars, depending on your course load and choices.