sueinphilly

I understand the options, a certain # per week or semester.

I'm waivering btw the 19 per week or 175 per semester. I don't want to buy more or less than he needs. I understand you can make changes for the first few weeks of the year.

but I'm looking for personal experience from current students.

My son will not be in a dorm, not apt style residence. I hope he will have a frig/microwave in the room to split with roommates.

firewalker

Take the flex plan.

alexkay673

Flex. Flex. Flex.

sueinphilly

is the 175 a semester a good number?

Any reason to bump it up to the 225 or would it be better to use the difference (about $250) toward declining dollars as necessary.

Am I living in a fantasy thinking most meals can be eaten with this plan vs. buying food outside of the school dining facility.

firewalker

Start with the 175. First semester, I got the 113, found out it wasn't enough. Then switched to 175 second semester. So, better to start out with the 175 and upgrade if he finds out it's not enough than to be stuck with a ****load of unused meals.

sueinphilly

113 is less than 10 meals a week, definitely not enough and below the minimum they make you take if you living on campus (I think). I'm hoping my son will keep some non-perishable stuff to eat/snack on for those times he can't make it to the dining room.

I read that Hayden dining room is getting a major overhaul this summer. that is his first choice dorm (a LTC there) so maybe if he gets it and the dining room is good, he will be enticed to eat there. he wasn't super impressed last week when he was there for orientation.

firewalker

I don't blame him.

Last2AcntsBanned

175 FLEX. No competition here.

shades_children

When I was in Weinstein Hall freshman year, I had 19 meals a week. I did pretty good with it, but figuring out what time blocks were "breakfast," "lunch," and "dinner" was a bit rough. Since everyone's rooting for the 175 FLEX, you probably should listen to them.

Mackie45

175 flex is approx. how many meals a week? Any declining dollars on it?

sueinphilly

There are 15(?) weeks in a semester. That would mean 175/15 is 11.66.

that's less than an average of 2 meals a day. Doesn't seem like enough to me. I don't want him eating out 3 meals a day the last few weeks of a semester.

the 225 plan is 15 meals per week (based on a 15 week semester) but it's $1900

All plans have declining dollars.

http://www.campusdish.com/en-US/eCam...ingDollars.htm

Since freshman get there a week before upperclassmen, wouldn't that mean it was a 16 week semester??

Membership Option Meal Allowance Dining $$$ Per Semester Cost Per Semester
225 FLEX 225 meals per semester 175 $1,900.00
175 FLEX 175 meals per semester 150 $1,655.00
113 FLEX 113 meals per semester 250 $1,275.00
TRADITIONAL 21 meals per week 175 $1,900.00
19 MEALS 19 meals per week 150 $1,800.00
14 MEALS 14 meals per week 150 $1,770.00
10 MEALS 10 meals per week 250 $1,655.00
5 MEALS 5 meals per week 150 $875.00
10 KOSHER 10 meals per week 250 $1,655.00
6 KOSHER 6 meals per week 150 $1,055.00

Mackie45

I'm getting the 14 meals a week. If i need more than i'll get it before the two week change period is up.

sueinphilly

the difference btw the 14 and 19 meal per week is only $30 per semester.

If I could guarantee he would always eat in on the meal plan, I would think that would be the best choice.

Is there anywhere to eat (on the meal plan, not with declining dollars) after 8 pm?

My son has a class 3 days a week from 4:55 to 6:10pm and one of those days he has another class from 6:30-9:30pm

alexkay673

sue, weinstein is open until 1am on weeknights, and i think..11 on weekends. some dining halls like third north and rubin are open later, i think palladium too.

as idealistic as it is though, it gets ridiculous to keep eating on the meal plan. it gets redundant and soemtimes, depending on your housing, not very convenient. like, for example, i lived in hayden, and on sunday hayden dining is closed, so is kimmel. in the winter we would HATE to walk to weinstein just for some food, especially in the snow. we would grab quick pizza, or falafel or order food all of the time. greenwich village is full of amazing, diverse, cheap eats. indian food was our fave at hayden.

14 meals a week really is more than fine. i had 175 my first semester, swiped every guest i ever had (which several times a month), and still had FORTY meals left over.

Last2AcntsBanned

175 Flex gives you choices. You wont ever really eat breakfast. Probably grab a lunch between classes and then dinner. But what if you just want to grab sushi or a burger when you have 5 minutes and stop by a dining hall and get real food later with the intent of eating dinner at around 7:20.. Seriously though, do you really want to be watching the clock every time you want to eat or just eat when you want? Flex gives you that freedom