<p>Any AUers here, the AU website estimates the overall undergraduate cost to be about 54k a year (tuition + housing + meal plan). But that’s bare minimum honestly, especially with other expenses. </p>
<p>Flight tickets, extra costs of living, etc. how much is it HONESTLY? Plus, is the meal plan worth the cost?</p>
<p>I don’t think anyone else can come up with a number that will apply to YOU. Transportation costs to and from home vary with where you live and how often you go–this is number you can certainly figure out for yourself. Your extra costs of living are completely under your control and depend on whether you choose to live large or frugally–do you go to the Smithsonian in the weekend or go clubbing and shopping in Georgetown? A part-time job should take care of those costs in any case, so long as they’re within reason. You don’t have a choice about the meal plan, but it will be worth it if you eat most of your meals on the plan, not worth it if you don’t.</p>