<p>What is the most popular meal plan for incoming freshman living in a dorm? Are the cafe credits worth it, or is it better to go with just the meals?</p>
<p>Also, are there any cell phone service plans that better/worse than others for coverage on campus? My son is attending UIUC in the fall from out of state. We are currently using AT&T and have good coverage where we live now. But when my daughter went to school in another state, we had to switch her to Verizon because AT&T had such poor coverage in many parts of her college campus.</p>
<p>Thanks.</p>
<p>When we visited uiuc, the student tour guide told us (memory getting a little foggy here) that the 10 meal/45 credit plan was the most popular. Not sure if that’s the exact numbers, but my impression was that cafe credits are definitely popular.</p>
<p>I bought my D the 12 meal/15 credit plan (it was cheaper and covered more real meals). It worked but my D commented that all of her friends have the 10 meal/45 credit plan so I may switch it for my other D. I guess I liked the idea of thinking that my kid was having a real meal and not just grabbing junk food. As far as the cafe credits though there are some great choices - salads, sandwiches, etc. I don’t think the kids will starve. You kind of need to know your child though - do they typically eat healthy full meals or are they constant snackers who never eat real meals?</p>
<p>We also have an AT&T cell phone plan and the reception sucks. I can never understand what my D is saying though that is often the story of our lives :). I cannot speak on behalf of the other cell phone carriers. I’m not sure if there are any others that are better. </p>
<p>FWIW, the best bank as far as convenience and number of cash-station machines appears to be TCF National Bank. There are ATMS all over the campus. Also TCF sets up during summer registration and does a large campus drive program for new accounts. It seems like a lot of kids go in the union bookstore, get their new student IDs and then move to the next line to set up a new student checking account. Pretty convenient - oh, and they give free U of I sweatshirts to the student just for opening an account.</p>
<p>Regarding TCF. What out for checking yes indicating that you want overdraft protection. What that means is that when you order a coffee and you don’t realize there’s only 2 dollars in your account, “overdraft protection” allows you to order the coffee, and then the bank charges you an overdraft “fee” of 25 or so dollars. Better to check no, and have the charge not go through, if you ask me. Before you realize you’re out of cash, you could easily rack up $100+ in overdraft fees.</p>
<p>We also have ATT, momacita, but I call my son regularly, and have never had a reception problem. He’s in Newman Hall. Maybe it’s the dorm.</p>
<p>I’m deciding between Sprint and T-Mobile for my nephew who will be attending this fall. Anyone have any experience with either one of these?</p>
<p>Get the 10 meal/45 credit plan. It gives you more flexibility. I guarantee you’ll get tired of the meals.</p>