fabrizio

Don't solely consider accounting cost. You also need to take economic cost into account.

Buying the food, cooking it, and washing dishes all take time, time you could be studying, relaxing, or getting to know the person who sits two seats to your right in psychology.

ticklemepink

Not really, especially if you don't mind taking care of your food yourself.

My school woud cost between $8-$10 per meal... for what I actually eat, it's not worth it at all. I just use my own cash if I want access to the dining hall for old time's sake.

mcim

Don't forget, it takes time to go to the dining hall, wait in line, eat, and come back. Also, you might be waiting for a couple friends to eat with you, might make a pit stop, etc. It can easily be an hour at the dining hall. Of course the alternative is to shop once for every week or two, and maybe actually have to cook something if it isn't cereal and a sandwich. Best idea is probably a hybrid, where you make yourself breakfast and lunch, and go out for dinner at the dining hall with friends. Also take into consideration that you might be eating fast food, at a restaurant, etc other than the dining hall. I think planning to eat 1 meal a day at a dining hall is the best meal plan.

Also, I went a year without a meal plan, and it was just a bad idea. I felt bad asking people to swipe me in as a guest, since they'd be paying $10(basicly, they already payed for it at the beginning of the semester, but still). But it is much cheaper, buying food for myself I spent half of what I would have for a meal plan. I'm going to grad school and will be living off campus, but I plan on getting a meal plan, like the hybrid I mentioned above.

imaparasite

Wow, I wasn't expecting per meal amounts in the $10-12 range.

If meals are that much, doesn't it make more sense to grocery shop for food for your first two meals each day and eat at a restaurant you really like for the last meal? I mean, an entire Chipotle burrito would cost less than most dining hall meals posted about here would.

mcim

^ That was my logic exactly, I could go to a restaurant and pay less than what they were robbing me at the dining hall.

a778999

My school has a facilities fee that comes with a meal plan of $900 for two semesters. And the meals still cost much more than restaurant meals.

brassmonkey

The thing is, it's very difficult to cook healthy meals out of a dorm room (for cheap). For the sake of saving many hours each day, and not being left out of the dining hall social scene (sounds lame, but consider it), I'd say go with the mealplan. Before going off, consider a much smaller "package" if your school offers it.

galoisien

Can someone post a comparative analysis of different schools' meal plans?

oatmealia

Last semester (spring of my freshman year), I went with a $100 cash balance on my meal card, and a couple meals. I ate oatmeal, bagels, and spaghetti every day, and never got tired of it. I used a microwave, mini fridge, and a rice cooker (along with a pot with a strainer lid). I only ate in the caf when I was out of groceries. It was cheap, healthy, and I could go out to a nice restaurant when I wanted a change.

NorthMinnesota

D1 has no choice so she gets smallest meal plan and then goes out or gets stuff for room. Around here St. Olaf and Gustavus are known for good food in cafe.

b@r!um

My college's unlimited meal plan is somewhere in the $2500-$3000 range per year. I think that's appropriate, given that the food is pretty good too, and most of my friends are on the unlimited meal plan for convenience.

b@r!um

Cheap, yes. Healthy, I doubt it.

woami

How viable is planting a small garden on the roof or some closed off area? Just joking by the way...

green7

My university's (UGA) meal plan is amazing. I think it comes down to around $18 a day, unlimited, as many times as you want to go in, and there's even a 24-hour dining hall. It is really convenient, and the food is really good

erhswimming

It's a ripoff at our school. It cost $2000 per semester, but you only get $1800 per semester in meal plan money. The on-campus convience store on top of this has really high markups (60-70% more than local grocery store) on almost all food items. But you have to get it if you live on campus (whch includes fraternity housing where I'm living next year). I can't wait to have an apartment and be able to save money eating normal food.