Meal plans for freshmen?

<p>Does anybody have any advice for incoming freshmen regarding the meal plans at Elon? Is the "All Access" good enough? Do most of the kids get "All Access plus 7 or 14?"</p>

<p>Same question. I barely glanced at it - but looked like freshman had to choose from one of those 3 options. I’m also thinking to go with the least expensive choice. My experience with older son at his university was that the top plan was unnecessary - he was not eating 21 meals/week in campus dining facilities - we scaled back for his second semester.</p>

<p>But would appreciate any advice/recommendations.</p>

<p>My advise is the get the all access plus 7. The kids often want to go to Boars Head Deli and the other restaurants not included in the meal plan. My son is a sophomore, during his freshman year they had a much better meal system. His freshman year he was able to ‘trade in’ a meal swipe for a meal equivalency at one of the other restaurants on campus. That is no longer allowed on the system implemented this year. As a freshman you must purchase the all access meal plan. It is not that much more, from what I remember to get the plus 7. My son definitely uses his 'plus 7 meals, weekly.</p>

<p>I see your point:</p>

<p>

[quote]
The RETAIL COMBO MEAL portion of the All Access + 14 and All Access + 7 meal plans may be used at Octagon Caf</p>

<p>My daughter is a freshman. We just did the basic and added meal dollars (or Phoenix Cash) to her Phoenix card. She can use those dollars inthe other locations, as well as off campus for phoenix cash (I think). It turned out cheaper for us to do it that way.</p>

<p>Thank you - that was very helpful. I hate to waste money on too high of a meal plan.</p>

<p>Rvm, I think it depends on how your child eats. My s can eat deli 3 meals a day, so getting the plus option may be best for him. How dies your son eat?</p>

<p>We learned one other thing when my older daughter went to Elon (different meal plans though). Your unused meal plans/dollars will roll over into the next semester. However, we reduced her meal plan the second sememster and lost all of her unused dollars. You can increase the plan for the spring term, but I think if you drop the plan, you will loose all the unsed dollars/meals. This may have changed shen Elon went to this new plan, but I would be surprised.</p>

<p>samtalya - he is not a big eater. In fact - he would benefit from the “freshman 15”. I’ll let him decide what he wants to do once we get all of the info. I don’t mind purchasing the more expensive plan - if he is going to eat it.</p>

<p>^^^ hahaha…my daughter who could benefit from the freshman 25 is already 10 lbs on her way…</p>

<p>I have never seen a human spend so much money on food; has all access + 14 and still spends alot on food…</p>

<p>She told us she eats about 6 times a day…we asked if she is sleeping?</p>

<p>The info on the web states that with the “plus” plans, you get your 7 or 14 plus credits each week, and any you don’t use expire each Tuesday. This means that basically your child would have to purchase one (or 2) of the offered retail combos almost every day each week in order to get your money’s worth from that. It seems to me that going with just the basic plan and adding meal dollars to the Phoenix Card would allow much more flexibility - ?? I would think that even if S goes somewhere other than a Dining Hall to get food on most days, that often he wouldn’t want to purchase the prescribed retail combo for that day. Am I missing something here? I certainly don’t want to pay for the extra meals on the plan, only to have him buy a la carte items that aren’t included.</p>

<p>The dorm preference questionnaire asks about the meal plan. Is that where we officially make the choice?</p>

<p>My daughter is a freshman and we just did the All Access Plan and put $ on her Phoenix Card. She lived in Staley which is close to Harden but Staley and Harden are being torn down and for her soph year she’ll be in Virginia on the other side of campus. We are still sticking with the All Access Plan and then putting $ on meal dollars because my husband talked to someone who said if you use meal dollars you get 15% off the meal and don’t pay any tax. I’m trusting he got correct information. We also put a little money on her Phoenix Card for incidentals and any bookstore purchases she may need throughout the year, and oh yes, laundry facilities. I know she really enjoyed Varsity Grill and they don’t take the All Access pass but I think she can use her meal dollars which is also connected to her Phoenix Card, I believe. Hope this helps.</p>

<p>Thanks for the information everyone. I was wondering about the meal plans too. </p>

<p>Rockville Mom - sounds like we have a couple of skinny boys. I told my S I’m not letting him go to college until he gains 10 pounds;)</p>

<p>Thanks Soph, that’s helpful. We ate at Varsity Grill on our visit last year, and S loved it! If he gets his top choices of Virginia or Sloan, I’m sure he’ll be there often. You are correct about the 15% discount, it’s noted on the dining services webpage (but hidden under the Reload your Meal Dollars page - never would have seen that if you hadn’t mentioned it.)</p>