<p>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?</p>
<p>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.</p>
<p>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'.</p>
<p>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.</p>
<p>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.</p>
<p>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.</p>
<p>Where I go 1 meal costs $8.25(well above average). </p>
<p>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).</p>
<p>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. </p>
<p>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.</p>
<p>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.</p>
<p>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.</p>
<p>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.</p>
<p>
[quote]
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.</p>
<p>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'.</p>
<p>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.
[/quote]
Are you referring to Cornell? Most people say the food is quite good there.</p>
<p>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.</p>
<p>It depends on how you purchase food.</p>
<p>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.</p>
<p>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.</p>
<p>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.</p>
<p>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. </p>
<p>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.</p>
<p>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.</p>
<p>Don't solely consider accounting cost. You also need to take economic cost into account.</p>
<p>Buying the food, cooking it, and washing dishes all take time, time you could be studying, relaxing, or getting to know the person who sits two seats to your right in psychology.</p>
<p>Not really, especially if you don't mind taking care of your food yourself.</p>
<p>My school woud cost between $8-$10 per meal... for what I actually eat, it's not worth it at all. I just use my own cash if I want access to the dining hall for old time's sake.</p>
<p>Don't forget, it takes time to go to the dining hall, wait in line, eat, and come back. Also, you might be waiting for a couple friends to eat with you, might make a pit stop, etc. It can easily be an hour at the dining hall. Of course the alternative is to shop once for every week or two, and maybe actually have to cook something if it isn't cereal and a sandwich. Best idea is probably a hybrid, where you make yourself breakfast and lunch, and go out for dinner at the dining hall with friends. Also take into consideration that you might be eating fast food, at a restaurant, etc other than the dining hall. I think planning to eat 1 meal a day at a dining hall is the best meal plan.</p>
<p>Also, I went a year without a meal plan, and it was just a bad idea. I felt bad asking people to swipe me in as a guest, since they'd be paying $10(basicly, they already payed for it at the beginning of the semester, but still). But it is much cheaper, buying food for myself I spent half of what I would have for a meal plan. I'm going to grad school and will be living off campus, but I plan on getting a meal plan, like the hybrid I mentioned above.</p>
<p>Wow, I wasn't expecting per meal amounts in the $10-12 range.</p>
<p>If meals are that much, doesn't it make more sense to grocery shop for food for your first two meals each day and eat at a restaurant you really like for the last meal? I mean, an entire Chipotle burrito would cost less than most dining hall meals posted about here would.</p>
<p>^ That was my logic exactly, I could go to a restaurant and pay less than what they were robbing me at the dining hall.</p>