<p>I was talking to some alumni today, and they told me that students are NEVER able to finish even 210 meal plan unless they really try. I bought 225 meal plan (because I'm just extravagant like that), and now I want to switch back to 150 meal plan.</p>
<p>Continuing students, what meal plan did you have and were you able to use it all? I heard "food credit" was non-transferable year to year, so any extra money goes down the toilet.</p>
<p>Are you dorming? If so you’re required to pick the 210 or higher. If you’re commuting then I’d suggest getting a very small meal plan (75 comes down to lowest price per-meal) or just none at all.
The meal plans are per-semester, not per-year. And you’re correct, they do not transfer over.
I had 210 last semester and it definitely felt like too much. I did manage to use it all up but that included me going out of my way to make sure I ate three meals every day, occasionally getting takeout when I didn’t really need it, getting guest meals for friends, etc. Just about every other freshman I know ended up having tons of meals leftover at the end of the semester (roommate had 40, another friend somehow had over 100… o_O).
If you’re really conscious about wasting money and stuff like that, you CAN use up all 210 meals… it’ll just take some extra effort on your part :P</p>
<p>210 is hard to use up, especially if you go away on weekends, eat at student events, eat out in new brunswick/pway, buy from campus vendors, cook cuz your residence has a kitchen or study way too much to even bother going to the dining hall 3 times a day 7 days a week.</p>
<p>The university housing agreement specifies that students must have the minimum requirements below.</p>
<p>First Year students in residence halls must have a minimum 210 plan.
Upperclass students in residence halls must have a minimum 105 plan.</p>
<p>Most people I have talked to recommend a 150 meal plan if you like to eat most of your meals in the dining hall. If you are not required to purchase any of the minimum plans, you can start out with the one you think you’ll need and then you can upgrade to a higher one later. If you want to decrease your plan, you can only do it the first two weeks of the semester. You can also purchase up to 5 meal “blocks” (5 meals, about $35) if you are a bit short.</p>
<p>Remember there will be times you order takeout, go out for pizza, go home, or simply miss a meal.</p>
<p>You have to pay separately for take outs? I thought when you order take outs, whatever the price gets subtracted from your meal plan.</p>
<p>The ‘takeout’ I was referring to was non-dining hall takeout eg chinese food delivery, etc. from a restaurant.</p>
<p>You can get dining hall takeout for a meal swipe.</p>
<p>If I’m a transfer student can I lower my meal plan, or am I considered a “first year”? I’m living in an on campus apartment so it has a kitchen.</p>
<p>A good way to kill meal swipes is to go in for a snack, and double swipe at takeout even if you can’t eat everything.</p>
<p>Another good way to kill swipes was to fill those white cups at tillet up with ice cream and goodies then take them home with you. Hopefull they still have those at the new one</p>
<p>onakasuita if you are living in an apartment you do not need any meal plan. </p>
<p>Check the Rutgers website for the meal plan choices: [New</a> Brunswick / Piscataway - Meal Plans - Rutgers University Dining Services](<a href=“http://food.rutgers.edu/meal-plans/new-brunswick-piscataway]New”>http://food.rutgers.edu/meal-plans/new-brunswick-piscataway)</p>
<p>You may want to consider one of the smaller meal plans (50 or 75) if you don’t want to cook all the time.</p>
<p>If you want to decrease your meal plan, you may still be able to do it online. <a href=“https://food.rutgers.edu/meal-plans/add-change-meal-plan/[/url]”>https://food.rutgers.edu/meal-plans/add-change-meal-plan/</a></p>
<p>I think you can lower your meal plan for the 1st two weeks of the semester, otherwise. You can also upgrade it at any time.</p>
<p>Does anyone know when the meal plan officially starts? I’m assuming the day we move in? Or could it be September 1st?</p>
<p>The student cafeterias will open on Monday, August 29th (not sure what time).</p>
<p>“There will be No Dining on Saturday or Sunday for continuing students.” </p>
<p>But I am assuming that freshman who have moved in are able to use the dining facilities once they have moved into their dorms.</p>
<p>I just called Dining Services and they told me that all Dining Halls will be open starting on Saturday 8/27 and that anyone can use them regardless of their class year. I know most continuing students are coming in on Monday, but you can return on Saturday if you have permission.</p>
<p>^ That’s pretty funny considering the housing website said that upperclassmen can’t eat in the dining halls until the 29th. Knowing the swipe ladies, they wouldn’t care or know the difference unless they actually read the small print on your id card. Thanks for sharing that :)</p>
<p>Not to bump this thread, but do first years have the option of reducing their meal plan after the semester begins? Or do we have to have a plan of 210+ at all times? I can already tell that there’s no way I’m going to use up all of these swipes.</p>
<p>@Linking: You could always try to request a lower one. No hurt in trying. If they deny or accept your request, they’ll send you an email. If they don’t let you lower it, then you could do what the other people said earlier in this thread and go in to just get coffee or something to use up the swipes.</p>
<p>If you are a Freshman you are required to take at least the 210 plan -you can lower it next year.
You can try to request a lower plan and maybe they won’t catch it.</p>
<p>Here is the website information for meal plan change requests:</p>
<p>[Meal</a> Plan Requests and Change Information - Meal Plans - Rutgers University Dining Services](<a href=“http://food.rutgers.edu/meal-plans/meal-plan-requests-and-change-information]Meal”>http://food.rutgers.edu/meal-plans/meal-plan-requests-and-change-information)</p>
<p>Unfortunately, freshmen in residence halls are required to take the 210 meal plan. Apparently, it is specified in your housing contract.</p>
<p>Are you a commuter or do you live off campus? </p>
<p>Tips to use more meals: get 2 takeouts at once, use your 10 guest swipes, use your swipes at events that allow it. For ex, when my son went to a Rutgers football game at some off-campus stadium, he was allowed to use a swipe for his meal at the concession stand. Always check to see where you can use swipes.</p>
<p>Even doing all these things though, he still used only about 150 meals. Rutgers wants their money.</p>
<p>a meal swipe is worth $10 at the stadium concession stands during football games!</p>