<p>S2 is a freshman at the Mt. Vernon campus. Has been eating at Pelham, and finding his meals are shockingly expensive. Classmates have complained of the same. Are there cheaper healthy options? He's going to go through his meal plan $$ in no time at this rate.</p>
<p>Mt Vernon campus? Literally don’t understand why people go to GWU for the Mt. Vernon campus. You go to GWU to be in Foggy Bottom and become apart of all the opportunities that await!</p>
<p>I am not sure of the Mt. Vernon campus, but even on FB the $12 per day or so is challenging for meals. My daughter got so she bought food like cereal or lunchmeat and ate many meals in the dorm, saving the meal card for the big things.</p>
<p>Crew: S visited GW and D.C. several times and it was no contest. Of course he has classes on both campuses, but Mt. Vernon was where he wanted to live. He’s very athletic, likes some green space, and was in no hurry for full-time asphalt and cement his first year at school. The city and Mall are there when he wants them. He’s already met kids he likes, Pelham is absolutely beautiful, and the fields, tennis courts, and gym are literally right outside his door. He hasn’t used the pool yet, but it will be nice for hot muggy D.C. days. If GW has been trying harder to “sell” MV campus - then for us it worked! Great ‘quality of life’ setting, and highly recommended for anyone who is wondering. But visit first, and make your own choice!</p>
<p>But back to the food – we were also surprised to hear they sometimes pay by weight. Just took a big chunk out of his meal money with heavy lasagna. Now knows better. No seconds either. Has this always been the system? I’ve heard parents from other schools complain that their kids don’t make it through the semester on budget, but at this rate we’re not even going to be close.</p>
<p>The suites all have full-size fridges and there’s a large kitchen on each floor. Am wondering if prices might convince some students to do a bit of cooking on weekends. Unlikely, but something easy like a group pasta dinner could go a long way…</p>
<p>well clearly, all buffets are going to be weighed. i mean would one seriously think they could just take as much lasagna as he or she wanted and think there would be a flat price. this has always been the system, and on every tour, the tour guide mentions how this system works. also, all freshmen get 1700 dollars/semester. 700 dollars works exclusively at J st on FB and at the Pellham (West Hall) eatery. That leaves 1000 dollars left to spend all around primarily the FB campus. I was a freshmen, and i was able to eat well and manage my money. Maybe your S needs to realize its not all u can eat buffets. He can do it, encourage him to do grocery shopping. Unfortunately, you are right when you say places are overpriced, they truly are. But I worked through it and most freshmen do, it just takes some smarter decisions</p>
<p>Yes, he will have to realize it’s not all you can eat, as it is at his brother’s college and plenty of others.</p>
<p>As for the weighing part, I have several friends with children in college, and none have ever heard of meals being weighed. Guess he’ll have to take it easy on the heavy/moist stuff. He said a lot the kids he was eating with were shocked at the prices.</p>
<p>Cooking may have to figure into it. At least the facilities are there. Both S’s are very slender, and while they don’t eat outlandish amounts of food, they need to eat a decent amount to keep weight on.</p>
<p>And on that topic – where do most students shop for groceries? I think we passed a Trader Joe’s while there (?)</p>
<p>I agree with you, the meal plan at GW is different than most other colleges and requires a lot more care and planning then a dining hall. On Foggy Bottom there is a Trader Joe’s on the way to Georgetown and a Safeway (which is pretty bad). Definitely the kids did more cooking as the year went on.</p>
<p>Thanks, lightmom. He can cook a bit, and hopefully there are other kids on the hall who might want to do make dinners on weekends or something. At least the facilities are there.</p>
<p>my son buys bulk bfast items (amazon - free shipping w/ student acct) [Amazon</a> Student](<a href=“http://www.amazon.com/b/?ie=UTF8&node=668781011&tag=gocous-20&hvadid=5599440077&ref=pd_sl_2a7g8ll7y3_b]Amazon”>http://www.amazon.com/b/?ie=UTF8&node=668781011&tag=gocous-20&hvadid=5599440077&ref=pd_sl_2a7g8ll7y3_b) and learned to cook a few things before leaving home. i think you have to greatly supplement the meal plan $ or there’s no way it will last.</p>
<p>Thanks. Had neer heard of that. He’s talking about doing some cooking. Will have to remind him not to overdo it with the chemical and sodium-laden snacky microwaveable stuff. We’ve never had one so it’s a novelty.</p>