Hi, I’m probably going to WPI this fall and I was looking into the meal plans.The whole meal plans thing is still new to me so I’m a bit lost here. I see 4 options that vary greatly, like the 190 and the 40 for example… Could someone tell me the best meal plan to take and how much time would it take for someone to finish the 190 plan? 
Oh I saw options like VIP and Plus 19, what’s that about? It’s really confusing!
Thanks!
My daughter started with the 200 meal plan but switched over to the 19 Plus Meal plan withing the first 2 weeks. You will have two weeks to change plans if you find the one you picked won’t work for you. It takes a week of classes to figure out what your routine will be. It really depends on how many meals a day you need. If you skip breakfast, 200 meals for a semester (2 terms) is probably fine. If you want 3 meals a day, 19 meals might work better.
If you are staying in freshman housing, you will be required to buy a meal plan. The 19 meal plan allows you to eat in the dining hall for every meal they serve, 7 days a week (only two meals are served on weekends and holidays). The VIP gets you the same, but also gives you the choice to eat in the Campus Center food court (make sure to check out the equivalency rules–they are a bit confusing). The 200 is dining hall only, but you can use the meals any time. It should last you the semester; it works out to 14 or 15 meals a week. The 190 and 40 are actually the optional meal plans for upperclassmen living in housing with kitchens. They are long-term and meant to be flexible.