@newjerseydad888 I chose the 19 plan! I later went down to the 15 plan. I’d recommend starting at 15, and if it’s too little you can upgrade at any point in the semester without any fees. You can’t downgrade your meal plan after the first week though.
The time you have your first class varies. I have an 8am class on Mondays and Fridays, but for the most part I take classes starting at 4pm. I would highly recommend taking classes as late as possible! It seems like a good idea to take them early, but in reality it’s highly not recommended unless you have to.
In terms of breakfast, most people sleep in and skip it. You can also get “Sage to Go” or “Commons to Go” where you swipe and you can grab a drink, a fruit, a packaged entree (sandwich, egg bagel, etc.), a snack, and an extra item. They have breakfast sandwiches typically and salads, which later becomes lunch. You can get basically any drink you want (I’d recommend the juice). I usually go with that for many meals and just eat in my dorm. I also eat sometimes in the Rathskellar using flex which is on the bottom floor of the Union or go grocery shopping in fathers (same location). The cafes are also nice for coffee and pastries in between classes.
Late night is very common! I use it very often. It’s open from 8-10pm Monday through Friday (or Thursday - I forget). I highly recommend this if you eat late, or get hungry all of a sudden. Fathers is also open every day until 2am. Big Apple Pizza, which is on the corner near the biotechnology building, is also usually open until 2am on weekdays and 4am on weekends so if you get hungry you can get anything you want. They also sell drinks (gallon sizes as well for cheaper than fathers), salads, and other hot foods. There’s also a deli next door, and then Moe’s which you can use RAD or Flex for. It closes at 10pm or 11pm usually, but it’s pretty good and very popular among students. I actually interact with the Dean of Students very often there and class deans, which is very funny since Moe’s is right next to academy hall where the Dean offices are.
Pizza is $12 for a regular pie. The cost per slice varies, but is usually $2.50 or $2.75 for a regular and $3.50 for a “gourmet.” Ordering pizza is very common. The following places are good for pizza:
Amante’s in Downtown Troy: It takes them a while to deliver, but they’re open until 2am.
Cusato’s in the Rathskellar: Open until 12am every day. The pizza is ehh, but they give big portions. I go here very often after club meetings.
I Love Pizza of Troy: Open until 12am every day. Pretty good pizza. Also slightly slow delivery.
Domino’s: It’s cheap, it’s quick. It’s great.
Big Apple: It’s okay pizza, but it’s very popular and everyone knows it casually as “Bella’s.” Most kids that go there are drunk. It’s completely safe, and I go here very often. They have a very friendly staff. It’s a big pricey for pizza, but you can get a gourmet pie for $16, which isn’t too bad. I’d recommend the chicken bacon ranch, or barbecue slices.
Other good places to eat in Troy:
The Flying Chicken
Dinosaur Barbecue
Alibaba’s - turkish food
The Greek House - greek food
The Whistling Kettle (tell your son this is the best place to take a girl on a date, guaranteed to “work”)
Guest swipes: You can use them yourself. My roommate lost his ID and he had to use a few of mine. I also did when my friend visited that was applying. Don’t lose your ID! It’s like $50 to replace, since it also gives you unlimited access to all buses in the Capital Region, which required a special feature so it’s expensive for them to reprint them.
If you have any questions feel free to PM me! I’ll also be volunteering distributing materials on accepted students day, so I will also be available in person if you let me know!