<p>Midwesterner, I think you’re on to something. Convenience must be a big factor. I can’t see my daughter walking far if a slice of pizza is nearby, lol!</p>
<p>Go to Loyola Univ MD’s site and check out their meal plan. You put money in the account and they spend it down bit by bit. If your child is a skinny little girl who picks at lettuce you aren’t being charged the same as the parent of the football player. I have always disliked the full-meal plans because of that. Loyola says most people have $$ in the account at the end of the year—and you can roll it forward, and also get a refund at graduation if there is a balance. </p>
<p>I don’t know whether my D will apply there or be accepted, but I really like this plan!</p>
<p>UC Davis has great food—according to my D. We started with a plan with too many meals but you are allowed to adjust at the quarter–so we brought it down and they let you roll over any leftover meals to the next quarter.</p>
<p>And yes- you can bet she “swiped” in sorority sisiters and even her mom and dad! (absolutley legal at UCD…you paid for the meals - you should be able to spend them as you wish!) Apparently once you are out of the dorms you fondly remember the all you can eat dining commons and you search out a Freshman friend to “host” your meal.</p>
<p>She planned it perfectly-- but if she did have meals left at the end of the year you got your money back for the unused meals. A pretty nice system. If she wanted to eat off campus she could use her weekly “fun money”—but how far can $40 go?</p>