imaparasite

As opposed to a mix of eating out and grocery shopping thriftily? What are the benefits of a meal plan vs. just getting food on your own?

swimcatsmom

My daughter is not planning to have a meal plan her sophomore year - well she may load a couple of hundred dollars on her card so she can get lunch on campus on days when she has classes that don't allow her time to go to her apartment.

A minimum plan was mandatory freshman year and she had a lot of $$ left on it at the end of each semester that would not carry forward so first semester blew money on rubbish and candy to just spend it. Her school has a hotel degree with a really nice hotel on campus and an expensive restaurant. She took me there on my birthday to wipe out the balance after spring semester. The waiter told me they are always busy the last couple of weeks with students trying to wipe out their meal plan balances - they call it a 'meal plan dump'.

She found she did not like campus food so is really looking forward to being able to do her own thing. She had put on weight her freshman year and said it was from the type of food available - she lost quite a bit the 3 weeks she was home before leaving for her summer job - just because she was not eating so much unhealthy food.

Iolanthe

probably depends on the meal plan...
usually it's probably more expensive to be on the plan. it's a lot more convenient though, so I'd recommend getting a very low meal plan so you can eat some campus meals if nothing else.

Son of Opie

Meal plans are generally a rip-off. You're paying a premium for the cost of food, plus the wages of the people who prepare it and clean up after you. If you get a foreman grill, rice cooker, and a crock pot, you could eat much more cheaply, and probably healthier as well.

alipes07

Where I go 1 meal costs $8.25(well above average).

I could probably pick up groceries that will last the whole day for that much. Then again, the food is very well-prepared - I havent heard any complaints(aside from the price).

cptofthehouse

It really depends on what the options are under the plan. It also depends on how much you eat. IF there are all you can eat options, and you are a big eater, you will make out. Also if you are not the type who wants to make meals, or the facilities to make meals are limited, using meal plans can make a difference because often the tax is not included in the price.

My son does well with a limited meal plan. That way he can grab things on campus at a discount, and would really make out if he goes to the cafeterias, which he does a few times a week. By timing it right, it can suffice for two meals. The dining dollars saves 8% tax on purchases of things there on campus and for many places immediately off campus.

mcim

Meal plans suck, usually the larger the plan, the cheaper the meal is, and the smaller the plan, the costlier it is. But then again, some people have a meal plan, so at least get the minimum amount so you can go eat with your friends, even though its highway robbery. At least, that's how it runs at my school.

cptofthehouse

MCIM brings up a good point about social eating. Also, in my son's case, the way some of his classes and activities are clustered and scheduled, he would have a problem if he did not eat at the school's eateries unless he packed a meal. He's not at that point yet on a regular basis, so having a meal plan makes sense. On the other hand, he needs about 50% outside/home eating the way he lives, so a full ticket would not be a good investment.

theoneo

My meal plan (required freshman year) cost $12.32 per meal, and the food was terrible. Next year will be so much cheaper because everything on campus costs way too much.

Caillebotte

Are you referring to Cornell? Most people say the food is quite good there.

gbesq

I think it really depends upon the school and the quality of the food. Depending upon where you're going to school, room and board may be a bargain (Midwestern schools vs. Northeastern schools, e.g.). Obviously, if you don't like the food in the dining halls, then yes, it's probably a waste of money and you can eat better -- although not necessarily cheaper -- on your own. On the other hand, if the food is good, it's hard to beat the convenience of having your meals prepared for you, no clean up, etc. At my daughter's school, her single room and full board averages out to about $212 per week and the food is good. I think it's a terrific deal.

kelseyg

It depends on how you purchase food.

If you shop for groceries by getting a bunch of pre-made stuff and junk food, it'll be the same. If you shop for groceries by getting a lot of basic ingredients, produce, etc. the meal plan will be much more expensive.

I work at a grocery store... a lot of people could probably spend the amount of money you're paying for food a week on 2 or 3 people.

kiz137

Sometimes you have no choice put to purchase a meal plan. What if your dorm as no en suite kitchen? And don't DARE say you're going a public kitchen that the whole dorm is supposed to share. That's just nasty and disgusting.

CurrySpice

I would get a 1 meal/day plan after freshman year. Then you can head out for a social meal with your friends, but make yourself some yummy breakfast and lunch at home, saving money.

St. Olaf has fantastic food and I'm looking forward to being on a 2 meal/day system after first semester (hopefully) because I have to eat a specific breakfast that they probably don't offer. And yet, I really want to eat there the other meals.

archiemom

Meal plan at my son's school averages a little over $6.00/meal on an all-you-can-eat basis. Even though he is moving off-campus for his sophomore year, we will still encourage him to choose a limited meal plan, at least on weekdays. As other posters have pointed out, it's worth the convenience, whatever the quality of food. I don't see my son planning ahead with the shopping and preparing while still keeping up with the academics and his social life. Left to his own devices, he just wouldn't eat. I project the meal plan being more economical than fast food off-campus.