<p>While applying for housing i selected no meal plan as an option.
i heard that the food gets old fast and meal points remain unused by the end of the year.
i do realize that I can just purchase stuff using normal dollars(since 1 meal point = 1$).
But is there something i am missing out on? is it advisable to go for a meal plan as a freshman?</p>
<p>I don't think you can select no meal plan? I think you have to at least select the minimum one. I also think selecting the minimum is good as it probably will get old - plus you can always add $$$ on but you can't take $$$ off.</p>
<p>From the RPS Housing Contract:</p>
<p>"19. Unless you are a resident of Willkie or Mason Hall, execution of a meal plan is a condition of this contract. Continuous four-year residents of Collins and all Hillcrest residents are required to participate in a meal plan. Other continuous four year residents are exempt from the execution of a meal plan. If you do not indicate a meal plan selection, you will be enrolled in meal plan C by default."</p>
<p>So, as a freshman, you have to have a meal plan if you are living in the dorms. A2Wolves and other students have always suggested picking plan C. If you don't pick a plan, RPS will pick plan C for you.</p>
<p>My son did choose plan C. This month his points were running short so we chose to add money to his Campus Access card (which can be used at all RPS dining facilities but for other things too) instead of guessing at how many meal points to add. At the end of the spring semester, 25% of all unused meal points are retained by the university and the remaining points are forwarded to next fall. The money on the Campus Access card stays on your card until you graduate or withdraw. You get a refund of remaining dollars minus a $10 fee.</p>
<p>My son lives in Briscoe and took the cheapest plan. Last I checked he still had over 900 points. Briscoe has no dining facilities (and the "dining" at McNutt is minimal) so I think the students often order food delivered (to avoid going out in the winter) and often choose to go off campus if they decide to go somewhere.
I'm really not happy about losing 25%.</p>