Busch Apartment or Suite?

rualum
Wed, 29 Feb 2012 12:43:37 +0000

“Is an Apartment worth upwards of $500 more in cost?”

It’s like this: you may be paying $500 more for an apartment, but if you get a suite, you will be forced to buy a minimum meal plan, which offsets the difference.

How many meals did you use last semester?

For apartment dwellers who want a meal plan, my suggestion is to buy the 75 meal plan @ $950. Then, if you need more meals, you can purchase up to 5 mini blocks (5 meals each so 25 total) @ $35 per block. This is much cheaper than purchasing the next highest meal plan of 105 meals (the minimum you will be required to purchase as a resident upperclassman who is not in an apartment). btw if you decide you really do need 285 meals, you can always upgrade. They just won’t let you downgrade after the first 2 weeks.

Mini Blocks
A mini block is equivalent to 5 meals. The option to purchase mini blocks is available only to students that are currently enrolled in a Rutgers Dining Services meal plan. The student may only purchase a maximum of 5 mini blocks in any given semester. Contact the RU Express / Board Plan Office for purchase.

Guest Meal Rates
Rates below remain in effect from Fall 2011 through Spring 2012.

Breakfast $8.00 plus 7% sales tax $8.56
Lunch $11.50 plus 7% sales tax $12.31
Dinner $17.00 plus 7% sales tax $18.19
Brunch $11.55 plus 7% sales tax $12.31

Rutgers Students are tax exempt by showing a valid student I.D.

You can get a sandwich, drink and snack at some of the student centers (eg on C/D) and pay ~$7-8 cash. You can also use a swipe, but you may not want to waste it. Save your swipes for dinner at the dining hall if you are trying not to go over.

285 Plan … $2,270 per semester
255 Plan … $2,205 per semester
210 Plan … $2,110 per semester *
150 Plan … $2,035 per semester
105 Plan … $1,770 per semester*
75 Plan … $950 per semester
50 Plan … $735 per semester

http://food.rutgers.edu/meal-plans/new-brunswick-piscataway

Look at this:

105 Plan … $1,770 per semester*
75 Plan … $950 per semester

So you would pay $820 more if you bought the 105 plan vs the 75 meal plan (commuters and apartments only) or $645 more than the 75 plus 5 mini blocks = 100 meals (mini blocks available to anyone who has a meal plan).

Remember that you may not eat every meal on campus. Also, you can just pay cash (show student ID for no sales tax) for your meal.

This is one potential RU Screw that I can help you avoid!