<p>I will be attending ND this August. I’m the first to go out of state in my family for college, this process is quite confusing for us:</p>
<li>Cell phones. </li>
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<p>Which service is recommended? Anything’s fine as long as it works on campus, preferably inside buildings too. </p>
<li>Paying for tuition. </li>
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<p>Besides the monthly payment plan pamphlet, I haven’t received anything on paying, not that I’m eager of course. When do students usually pay? will I pay for each semester separately or all together as a lump? How about the monthly payment plan, anyone with experience with that? </p>
<li>Flying vs. Driving.</li>
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<p>We live in New England, driving is an option. Personally, I would prefer flying just to save time. But I realize problems with the restrictions on luggage. If I do fly, I might have to shop in South Bend, but I won’t have a car on campus. Which is more convenient? Also, in South Bend, how is the transportation(for someone without a car)?</p>
<li>Meal Plans</li>
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<p>I know the Golden (14 meals) is more popular, but doesn’t that mean 2 meals a day(I always eat 3 so i don’t think I’ll change anytime soon)? Do people purchase the third with flex points? and also, can you switch to the Blue if you’re uncomfortable with the Gold? And if so, how frequently?</p>
<p>Thanks in advance.</p>
<p>i heard for the meals. most people tend to try the 3 meals a day, but then switch to the 14 meals.</p>
<p>i guess if you are willing to head to the dining hall 3 times a day then i guess go for it. i'm planning on just eating breakfast in my room, like milk and cereal or other things that require cooking. maybe even microwaving foods.</p>
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<li><p>Cell phone service - my son and our family have Verizon. It works well. Even got through while he was in the stadium at a football game. Verizon has added a number of boosters around campus.</p></li>
<li><p>Paying for tuition - ND bills for each semester separately. Fall is in July and Spring is due first week of January.</p></li>
<li><p>Can't help on the fly/drive question, we live in midwest within easy driving distance. Plus, son has car on campus.</p></li>
<li><p>Meal plans - with class times and late nights, my son never makes 3 trips to the dining halls within a day. For breakfast, he has cereal in his room. Struggles at times to make two trips - relies on flex points and domer dollars a lot.</p></li>
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<li><p>Verizon is good, plus a lot of people have it, and you get free In-Calling, which is nice. I have absolutely no complaints about the service, and the only place I can remember having no service was the basement of DeBartolo.</p></li>
<li><p>Dunno. Talk to my dad about that one.</p></li>
<li><p>I live in New York. I fly to and from school now, but I recommend driving the first time. You will probably have a LOT of stuff to get out, and I remember it being very nice having a car at our disposal to pick up last minute stuff, etc. </p></li>
<li><p>Go ahead and get the 21 meal plan. Then get back to me 2 weeks into school when you wanna know how to switch to 14. Sleep is an incredibly valuable commodity, much more valuable than food, and when you have that 8:30 or 9:35 class, you're not gonna want to wake up any earlier than you have to.</p></li>
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<p>I agree with all the above on Verizon~daughter says it's the best as they have coverage everywhere! On the billing, they will bill you each semester and are great about answering questions~they are really so nice! I don't know about the monthly plan, although I thought about doing it last year. As far as fly/drive. I would drive in the first time for Frosh O. You will be able to move about so easily this way and then you can bring almost all you will need! There are so many shops in town that you can get a lot there too. Also, Stepan Center, on campus sells stuff from local stores at pretty good prices~if you don't have a car this is a great option! Finally, as far as the meal plans go~my daughter (and I realize it can be different for guys!) NEVER ate even 14 meals a week! It killed her Dad and I~paying for those meals that were never eaten, but she loved her sleep and used the flex points to stay alive! Welcome and enjoy~you will love ND!!!</p>
<p>Thank you so much for all your help!</p>
<p>So I guess it's verizon then. '</p>
<p>Wait.. regarding the meal plans. I'm a girl (lol Irishcali), but food is a top priority, next to sleep ofcourse. So many of you suggested microwaving etc. Does that mean I can bring a microwave and/or a fridge? </p>
<p>Thanks Kevdude, I'll try your advice.</p>
<p>oh, and btw. We'll definitely drive the first time like many of you have recommended. </p>
<p>Hoewver, for everyday basics like milk and cereal, can i get those at the stephen center then? </p>
<p>So from my understanding, Flex points are for food while domer dollar's for everything else?</p>
<p>Actually you can buy food supplies at the Huddle Mart, which is located in LaFortune student center. You may use either Flex points or Domer Dollars. The Flex Points are an automatic given when you sign up for a meal plan, and Domer Dollars are a separate account in which you deposit add'l money for your discretionary use. Flex points can be used for most basic food items, they cannot be used to do Laundry, purchase haircuts, etc. Domer Dollars (which you deposit into an acct separately) can be used for anything including use at the Bookstore.</p>
<p>And yes, our student uses Verizon--great service on campus and one of only 2 providers that seem to care about their customers on campus. As a previous poster mentioned, they boosted their service so reception is great on campus. I think that the other provider that did this was AT&T/Cingular(I think?) At any rate, T-Mobile is just awful on campus!</p>
<p>Shadesof purple,
We are on the 7 month payment plan. The payments start August 1st and end February 1st. I did some type of rough calculation and figured that I was about $100 to $150 ahead by holding onto my money and earning a bit of interest. (versus the 2 payments due..) The only problem is the high monthly payments! $6300 a month or so last year! But we've got one year down and three to go!</p>
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<li><p>I have AT&T which works well. However, most people seem to have Verizon, so if you want free in-calling, that may be the way to go.</p></li>
<li><p>I usually have at least a couple meals left from my 14 meal plan at the end of every week. You might be used to eating big breakfasts now, but never underestimate the power of sleep. Most people i know skip breakfast or use flex points to eat cereal in their room or stop for coffee and a muffin on the way to class.</p></li>
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<p>Kev...son coming from NY too. Flying home for Thanksgiving, but with the price of flights will prob do Amtrak for longer stays, like Christmas. Priceline gave me the best price for flights but still high. Are you from the city or upstate or LI. We are from city. (5 boroughs)</p>
<p>Also, I just switched fromT-Mobile to Verizon, so I am happy to hear it works well on campus. My D at Georgetown had NO T-mobile service in dorm or classes...Verizon is perfect in DC too and very helpful customer service.</p>
<p>No. Don't do that. Seriously. I've taken the train, and besides the fact that it really isn't that much more inexpensive, it was unbearably miserable. It took 19 hours because it goes all the way up to Schenectady, it's cramped (not much better than a Coach Bus or one of the MetroNorth trains, even the new ones), and generally just not worth it. Seriously. </p>
<p>I'm from Yonkers, definitely not upstate. You're WAY better off taking one of the shuttles from O'Hare to JFK.</p>
<p>O'Hare...not South Bend Airport? We are in Staten Island and usually fly into Newark.</p>
<p>Oh wait- he will fly from South Bend to O'Hare and connect...is that the way most get to O'Hare or is there someway else? I appreciate the help...</p>
<p>I hear you with the train advice- thanks...guess not like the train from DC...lol</p>
<p>There's a shuttle bus, which, while convenient, is uncomfortable and usually not worth it. Adding a connection from South Bend to O'Hare usually only costs around 100 extra dollars - the bus costs 35.</p>
<p>Thanks I truly appreciate your help!</p>
<p>It's also not a bad idea to stay at Thanksgiving. I stayed last year and it was fine, saved the money, caught up on work, got to chill with the roommates without the pressure of school. The Thanksgiving spread at North is pretty good and you might even be invited to dinner with local friends or professors. I went to a professor's house and there were five other students with me.</p>
<p>Thanks ND AL. Can you, or anyone else, give an approximation of how much I should expect to spend at ND every semester? I’m pretty average in terms of spending. (just trying to figure out how many hours I’ll need to work on campus). </p>
<p>Momoffour: Thanks for your input, we might try that out too. Happy to hear supportive parents like you. </p>
<p>Shelzie, I actually have AT&T right now, thanks for a different perspective, I might not switch anymore.</p>
<p>^ I'm staying for thanksgiving too.</p>
<p>Shadesofpurple,
My daughter has AT&T also. Other than a few poor spots around campus, the service has been just fine. Most of the students do have either Verizon or AT&T so you will have plenty of free in network calling. Regarding your meal plan, keep in mind that if you opt for the 21 meals per week, you will not receive any flex points. If you go with the 14 meals per week, you will get $310 flex points to be used per semester. (They'll roll over to the next semester, but not the next school year) Also, we put $100 in my daughter's account for Domer dollars. (laundry, bookstore, etc.) At the end of the year she had about $42.00 left so not much was spent there. (We ordered her textbooks on line.) How much you will need for spending money is so individual. My daughter spent about $1000.00 total from August until May. However, she likes to buy lots of gifts, eats out all the time off campus, and takes quite a few cabs on the weekends. That amount also includes what she spent over Christmas and other breaks. I know of a fellow student who never used any cash during his entire time at school. He was on the 21 meal plan and his parents deposited $500.00 into his account for Domer dollars. That is what he lived off of for a year! Best of luck to you! Keep the questions coming!</p>
<p>My student is an athlete who cannot afford to skip meals -- in fact, he will probably end up needing extra $$ for extra food. I'm thinking that 310 flex points won't actually replace the 7 extra meals per week he would be sacrificing by purchasing the 14 meal plan. Is that right?</p>