<p>Freshman are now put on the 17 meal plan with 65 declining points. They can be switched to the 20 meal plan, if desired. (we have until Aug 8 to decide)</p>
<p>Which is better suited for the typical Swattie? </p>
<p>If on the 20 meal plan, can the meals be purchased at all food/snack and coffee locations, or does one use the points for the locations away from Sharples?</p>
<p>Swarthmore</a> College :: New Students :: Dining Services</p>
<p>The 20 meal plan is terrible. I hated it freshman first semester, and I don't know anyone who likes it, let alone anyone who stayed on it after 1st semester freshman year, which used to be the only one freshmen could be on at that time. This is an awesome development. You very rarely actually eat that many meals a week, to be honest - often you go to get free dinners, lots of events have pizza, sometimes you don't have time for breakfast, things like that. The worst part about it is that you can only use one meal each meal time (there are specific breakfast, lunch, and dinner times), so you can't use two meals in one meal period: you can't bring guests, you can't use two meals at a time at Essie Mae's (the snack bar), if you somehow get to Sharples a minute late you just lose that meal (on 17 meals build up until the end of the week if you don't use them, although they don't carry from week to week), you can't use meals at the coffee bars...basically I would never recommend the 20 meal plan unless someone plans on never bringing guests in, plans on eating every single meal at Sharples designated meal times, and doesn't like the coffee bars or wants to pay separately for them. This is a REALLY great change in the meal plan system! I am so glad they did it.</p>
<p>It's hard to imagine any Swattie showing up at the assigned time for 20 meals per week. Breakfast is just not a college kind of meal, 6 or 7 days a week.</p>
<p>So, can the points be used at all the locations? Can you purchase more points if you use them? </p>
<p>What about guests. On the 17 meal plan, do you use two meals at one time if you have a guest, or do you use the points to pay for the guest?</p>
<p>Yep, the points can be used at all locations, but it never makes sense to use points at Sharples - way too expensive on the points system. If you have a guest, you'd use two meals. And you can always add on money as points to your card, or just use cash at the coffee bars or Tarble if you run out.</p>
<p>Thank you so much for all the info.</p>
<p>S switched to the 14 meal plan after his first semester. It's nice that Swat has quit making the 20 meal plan mandatory for first semster freshmen since very few students will eat breakfast 6 days a week.</p>
<p>I know of exactly two people who have chosen to remain on the 20-meal-plan past the first semester. The 17-meal plan is better for the vast majority of people, so unless you're absolutely zealous about wanting an all-you-can-eat breakfast every morning, stick with the 17. </p>
<p>I applaud Dining Services for making this decision. It will most likely be a financial hit for them, since having many students on the 20-meal plan results in lots of unused meals every week, but it's the right choice for 99% of freshmen.</p>
<p>My Swat student sticks with the 20 meal plan, and probably gets to every meal, even when living at ML. The food choices are better in this case. Don't know any more details though.</p>
<p>Most people go to the 17-meal plan, and this year's student body president (street cred is always good :)) told me last year that the 17-meal plan is most economical, when calculated in terms of how much money you get based on points and meal values, the '17' makes most sense.</p>
<p>By the way, is the food there good, relatively speaking? Are there nutritious and healthy options that actually taste good for campus food?</p>
<p>Everybody loves to complain about Sharples food. The one time I ate there, I thought it was really good.</p>
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Are there nutritious and healthy options that actually taste good for campus food?
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<p>Yes. It's just that people, quite reasonably, get sick of the same stuff 3 times a day after a while. You can always get creative at the salad bar. The veggie entrees are a good option. And, if all else fails, there's a grillman who will make you a burger or other assorted grill sandwiches.</p>