Hi -I am trying to pick the proper point balance for a freshman meal plan and am confused. The diplomat meal plan discounts say that you get a 50% discount at “buffet locations” and 30% discount at “a la carte locations” - but how are we supposed to know which location is a buffet location or an a la carte location? Is there a website that specifies the different locations and their designations?
Thanks…
I have a junior son at Miami so I can help you a bit. I know that there are at least 3 buffet dining halls on campus - Harris, Martin and Western Dining Commons. My advice is to start with $1000 or more if you want and then see what your balance is at the end of the semester. You can always add money if you run out. Any remaining balance rolls into the meal plan for second semester. Any balance remaining after spring semester rolls into a MULAA account which can be used at the bookstore, laundry etc. you will never actually lose the money that you don’t spend on meals like at some colleges. However, it’s best to start conservatively to determine your weekly meal spending and then add to it as needed.
baseballmom94 is on target with her advice; I placed $1800 on my freshman daughter’s diplomat account and after the first semester she only used half of it. It all rolled over to second semester; there is no risk of losing money from semester to semester or year to year.
I have found the discounts to be misleading; prices are inflated in my opinion, the discount just brings the prices closer to what they should have been in the first place.
The semester “meal plan assessment fee” for 2015-16 will be $1625. This fee does nothing other than give your student the right to eat meals on campus. It is required, so you cannot get out of it. Your diplomat dollars will always be on top of the fee. On the bright side, the fee is lower than the $1725 fee charged this year. On the down side, it appears dorm room rates are rising more than $200 a semester for next year.
Here is the website where you can find out where the buffets are located, along with a map of dining options:
http://blogs.miamioh.edu/dining/dining-options/
Thank you so much baseballmom94 and fslcon5000 for your detailed and informative responses! I think I understand it now and will certainly follow your advice to start out with a smaller $ amount and add on if need be. It’s crazy that they make it so complicated. I know from our visits to campus that the food choices are great - and I’m sure my daughter will seek out the best salad bar. So excited to be a RedHawk Mom!