Choosing a college meal plan

[MaryAnnDVC]

As the end of DD's senior year draws near, we are in college prep mode, and it is SO exciting! (I'm living vicariously through her ...she'll be living on campus, I lived one year at home, the rest in my own apt.) We have been having A BLAST buying sheets and towels...have gotten downright giddy at Linens 'n' Things.

The first big decision, after choosing which college, was dorm type. She and her friend (who will be rooming together) decided on a suite (two dorm rooms with 2 students each, sharing a bathroom in between), despite the fact that they'll have to clean their own bathroom. I volunteered to come every weekend to do it...they declined.

Time to pick a meal plan! What has been your/your kids' experiences with meal plans? Did you overchoose? Underchoose? Choose a board plan (# of meals per week), or a points plan? (Reminds me of DVC...the best use of DVC points are in a DVC resort, the best use of college dining points are in a dining hall, but they can use them other places...but then, we relate lots of things to Disney. ) They'll also have a combo refrigerator/microwave in their room.

 

[Beth76]

I over-chose. I started with 14 (meals per week) and always had a few left over (wasted). And changed it down to 10. I really didn't eat breakfast when I was in college, and on the weekends we tended to eat out.

 

[tar heel]

My son has been very happy with a plan that is based on the entire semester instead of weeks. He has so many meals -- I think it's 160 -- and can use them any time during the semester. His meal plan is good at the various dining halls and at the fast food places on campus. He also has a refrigerator and microwave.

The problem with the meals per week plans is that you lose any meals not used, which I think would encourage you to sign up for fewer than you need.

 

[Buckalew11]

As the end of DD's senior year draws near, we are in college prep mode, and it is SO exciting! (I'm living vicariously through her ...she'll be living on campus, I lived one year at home, the rest in my own apt.) We have been having A BLAST buying sheets and towels...have gotten downright giddy at Linens 'n' Things.

The first big decision, after choosing which college, was dorm type. She and her friend (who will be rooming together) decided on a suite (two dorm rooms with 2 students each, sharing a bathroom in between), despite the fact that they'll have to clean their own bathroom. I volunteered to come every weekend to do it...they declined.

Time to pick a meal plan! What has been your/your kids' experiences with meal plans? Did you overchoose? Underchoose? Choose a board plan (# of meals per week), or a points plan? (Reminds me of DVC...the best use of DVC points are in a DVC resort, the best use of college dining points are in a dining hall, but they can use them other places...but then, we relate lots of things to Disney. ) They'll also have a combo refrigerator/microwave in their room.

Could she sell her points to some hungry football players?

 

[rigs32]

With many plans, meals are a better value for your dollar. If points can be used to buy a dining hall meal (all you can eat) or specific snack bar-type items, the food at the snack bar is typically worse for you and you get less for the cost.

The problem, though, is that at many schools, it's not "cool" to eat in the dining hall. Yet when I worked at a college, DH and I used the faculty/staff discount to eat at the dining hall. $8 for two people to eat out including drinks and dessert? Heck yeah - the food was pretty good, too.

 

[wdwgirl03]

I overchose my first semester. I started with a 175 meal block plan, but then switched to 125. I felt that one was a lot easier than the traditional meal plans (either 14 or 19 meals per week) since I could go when I wanted to, and didn't have to worry about them just going to waste.

 

[bsnyder]

With both of mine, they always ended up with meals that went unused.

 

[HaleyB]

My son is a freshman this year. His school requires him to live on campus (luckey duck) and he had to have the 230 meal plan his first semester. What a waste of money, he had 70 left over meals, and just like WDW they expire. We paid about $6 a meal so that killed me.

This semester they let him drop down to 180 meals plus $400 on a dining card. He likes this better but he will still waste some meals. He will do the lowest number of meals allowed next year, which is 120 a semester and they require a minimum of $600 on the dining card at that level. I think it is outrageous how much they make us spend on food. His meal plan costs us more than what we spend feeding the whole rest of the family, four of us eat for less than he does!

So I guess my point is, under buy. Buy the smallest plan they will let you get. As for the meal plan or points, I would discuss it with her roommates family because it would be nice for them if they had the same plan.

 

[liamandcaili]

Definitely buy the lowest plan they allow. As your daughter gets into activities and studies, meals don't always fit into exact schedules. You can always add dollars to a dining card later if she needs it, but once the school gets your money, believe me, they aren't going to refund it!

 

[Dan Murphy]

When Vince was away for three years, we adjusted his plan downward, they were being wasted, unused.

 

[pjshaff]

When I went to UK, I started out on the 3 meal per day plan and if you missed a meal, too bad--it was lost. My second semester I put a certain amount of $$ on a meal card and used that. There were no restrictions to it(that I can remember) and it worked out alot better for me.

 

[Lynn CC]

My DS is a Freshman this year in Boston. He has the exact same room/type you describe with 2 in each room and a bathroom the 4 of them share.
After first semester they moved all the beds (4) into one room and the desks into another. They all get along so it's worked out rather well.
I've been in the rooms several times and they are really clean, you would be surprised how nicely 4 boys can keep things in order with so much stuff and so little space. Plus they have a lot of room inspections. They have more cleaning supplies on their shelf than I do at home!
We went with the standard meal plan going into fall semester which was $1080 and he had $400 leftover which was carried over to Spring Semester. So he switched it to the lower plan ($980) for this semester and he still has $550 left and only 3 weeks to go. He's been treating the big eaters in the dorm as often as he can to use the money up or it is wasted.
They get to use it in the school snack/store, but he's only been once, I have no idea why?
You can always add money on their card if they don't have enough, but it is not refundable in the end.
My DS doesn't eat breakfast, he eats Kix in his room every morning. He doesn't get snacks, just a sandwich for lunch and dinner. Plus, he goes out to eat (it is Boston afterall) A LOT...atleast 4X a week.
They have late night snacks, and he's sometimes goes for that.

You have to really think about how often your DD is going to come home, how much she eats and how often she will go out with friends. I'd rather he use his meal plan, but he got sick of eating the same things they have to offer this semester, and so many people in the family send him $$ to go out to eat he does!
Your so lucky you have a girl that is interested in getting ready for college, My DS was just the opposite. I searched for things online showed him got his approval and then ordered or went and got it. All his roomates coordinated with his colors navy and white for bedrooms and bathrooms so I had fun!
Enjoy the time together!!!...we miss our DS so much this school year.
Where is your DD going?

 

[Megster]

Its hard for me to relate to other colleges meal plans because UNH has "unlimited" plans. Meaning we can go into the dining hall as many times as we want and eat as much or as little as we want and no one cares. The only difference in plans is the "money" that comes with it which you spend at other loctions (food court, convenience store, etc).
That being said I think its best to over choose, at least at first. She won't really know how much she will and won't eat at the dining hall. It depends on her schedule and where the school is. I eat breakfast and dinner everyday at the dining hall every day and lunch 5 days a week there. UNH doesn't have many "out to eat" places in town so unless you want to a few hour excursion going out to eat isn't a quick meal option. It stinks if you end up wasting money, but you'll know the next time you have to choose.

 

[MrsPete]

We have been having A BLAST buying sheets and towels...have gotten downright giddy at Linens 'n' Things.

I loved living in a dorm! Be sure to buy EXTRA LONG twin sheets; college beds are not standard twins.

She and her friend (who will be rooming together) decided on a suite

Be prepared: the vast majority of high school buddies who room together are enemies by Christmas. This is based upon four years' experience living in on-campus housing (and working as a RA). The problem is that students -- girls especially -- expect to go to college and remain best buddies with the old high school chum. They try to eat every meal together, wait for one another between classes, go to the library together . . . and soon they can't stand the sight of one another. The most successful roomie-relationships are the ones in which both parties see one another as ROOMATES, NOT BEST FRIENDS. Your daughter probably won't believe that, but I'd try to broach the subject of "encourage one another to get out there and meet new people".

Time to pick a meal plan! What has been your/your kids' experiences with meal plans?

Definitely under-buy. Lots of things prevent students from eating 3 meals per day: Most don't get up in time for breakfast. Someone who works in the evening will probably miss the dinner hours completely; thus, wasted meals. Most dining hall cafeterias are an all-you-can-eat type place; most of us can't eat that way 3 times a day. If it's an option, I'd aim for buying her 2 meals per day x 7 days a week. That way she doesn't have to feel guilty buying a burger while she's working at the mall and can't make it to the dining hall for lunch; she doesn't have to feel bad about all those breakfasts she slept through. If it's not enough, she can always pay cash for a couple meals.

If you're in doubt, remember that when you buy, you're only committing to one semester. If it's not the right choice, you can make a change for second semester. She'll be much better informed by then.

 

[minniecarousel]

Oh - definitely under-buy. Especially if they let you add $$ to the plan later in the semester. You've heard of the "Freshman Fifteen"? (most freshmen gain 15 pounds the first year) Those meal plans are the culprit. Since she has a refrig & microwave in the room, she won't starve with the low food plan. Whether it's points or meals - you really need to look at what the school is offering and what meals/where to decide.

 

[mommytotwo]

I had over choose since I didn't know how much time I was going to have for meals and such. If you don't use all your meal points for meals itself, you can always pick up snacks and drinks.
But, since they will have a refrig. and micro. they can also make things in their dorm room which is a plus. Will they have a way to the store? By car or bus to do some shopping? Will different restaurants deliver to them? If so, they may want to think about these options as well instead of spending alot on a dining plan.

 

[Megster]

I loved living in a dorm! Be sure to buy EXTRA LONG twin sheets; college beds are not standard twins.
Be prepared: the vast majority of high school buddies who room together are enemies by Christmas. This is based upon four years' experience living in on-campus housing (and working as a RA). The problem is that students -- girls especially -- expect to go to college and remain best buddies with the old high school chum. They try to eat every meal together, wait for one another between classes, go to the library together . . . and soon they can't stand the sight of one another. The most successful roomie-relationships are the ones in which both parties see one another as ROOMATES, NOT BEST FRIENDS. Your daughter probably won't believe that, but I'd try to broach the subject of "encourage one another to get out there and meet new people".

I have a standard sized twin bed! Don't assume you need extra long. Check the res life website, it should tell you.
My roommate is my best friend and its worked out so well for us. But I agree that its best to have separate lives. Having alone time is really important also. Its really hard adjusting to college life in general, so it can be easy to just hang out with your rommate at the end of the day, but make sure to make the effort. The first two days are the most important - go out of your way to say hi, introduce yourself, etc. In the coming weeks that friendly smile will be really important!

 

[Beth76]

I have a standard sized twin bed! Don't assume you need extra long. Check the res life website, it should tell you.

I agree with this too. At my school, the men's dorms had extra-long, but the women's didn't. All the brochures/info noted this.

 

[antmaril]

My freshman son came home last night for his Easter break. He is sitting here next to me (YAY) and I just asked him your question. His school does not give us a choice. Students can have b, l, d, everyday. - everyone pays the same amount. He nevers eats breakfast in the dining hall. He says there's never enough time. He usually grabs a granola bar or a PopTart. His advice would be to go with 14 meals per week.

 

[tar heel]

MrsPete -- Not ALL college dorms have extra-long twins. The tri towers at NC State for example, which I believe are the three largest dorms on campus, have standard-size beds.