<p>I was wondering how the meal plans at Pomona work. My meal plan is 16 meals/$160 flex dollars. What does that mean? Do I have 16 meals a week, and $160 to spend a semester? </p>
<p>Thanks for any help!</p>
<p>you got it. flex can be used for any food related iten on any of the 5C's, some people's goes super fast, other lasts the entire semester.</p>
<p>D was told that she could switch meal plans once she arrives on campus. In your opinion, what would be the most economical/practical, i.e., not having a surplus of flex dollars at the end of the semester?</p>
<p>It depends on your eating habits. My class and work schedule tended toward me not having enough time to wait out a traditional cafeteria line, especially during lunch, so I opted for the meal plan that gave me more flex dollars and reduced cafeteria meals because, in my opinion, flex dollars are like gold here, and I use them regularly to buy light meals/snacks to tide me over until dinner. If your child feels like he will go out to eat often, it's also wise to opt for the 12 meal/$220 flex plan. S/he has until the 10th academic day of school to decide, so let him or her experience the dining climate first before settling on a choice.</p>
<p>Thanks! I'll let her know.</p>
<p>If you eat breakfast, you should stay with the 16 meals/week plan. If you don't then there are two 12 meals/week plans and what I believe to be a 8 meals/week plan (although I don't really know people who opt for the latter). Of the two 12 meals/week, there is one with $120 flex and another with $220 flex. This goes against what congresssenator said, but I always tell people to stay away from the $220 flex plan because the difference in the amount you pay between the two is NOT $100 in cash. It's more like $220 in cash. If you're worried about not having enough flex, you can always add money to your card later if you want as Claremont Cash (where $1 in Claremont Cash = $1 in cash), and this DOES roll over each semester, whereas flex doesn't. Therefore, not only are you paying more intially with the $220 flex plan, you could be losing more if you don't spend it all by the end of the semester. Claremont Cash has the same value as Flex, except you can also use it for laundry, vending machines, and some restaurants in the area. So when you get right down to it, it's the most economical and practical to get the 12 meals/week plan if you don't eat breakfast. I hope that made sense.</p>
<p>Thanks, gnat; it did make sense.</p>