<p>The basic 15-meal plan runs at over 6k per year. Isn't that close to like $15 a meal? That seems ridiculous compared to every other school I've looked at. I get that Boston obviously has a higher cost of living but I still don't see how they can justify that.</p>
<p>I was really happy to be accepted to Northeastern and I'd like to make it work financially, but stuff like this makes it seem like it might be impossible...</p>
<p>You also need to factor in very high dorm rates (and if you live off campus high rentals). It is a big city and the cost of living is high!</p>
<p>College meal plans are expensive, Boston even more so. And then they are also trying to play the game so many colleges are playing of trying to show off how many cool features they have. They are also trying to go with more sustainable food options and stuff like that. The smallest meal plan (10 meals) was plenty for me, and after freshman year you can move into apartment-style housing and don’t have to get the meal plan anymore.</p>
<p>@nanotech, I have another question. You’re in the honors program right? My letter says that I will live in the honors housing but is that a strict requirement? I ask because it seems to be the most expensive housing available. I’d prefer to go a cheaper route.</p>
<p>The honors housing is a requirement for freshman year and then optional after that.</p>
<p>Kiddie’s right - honors housing is required first year. I think it’s a good experience to be in it, though. Ask for a double, though, and if they give you a single anyway (which happens sometimes), try requesting a change for financial reasons.</p>
<p>I’m currently an honors freshman living in IV, and yes it is required. It is the most expensive freshman housing, but everyone I’ve talked to said that it’s well worth it, and I believe that as well. It may be a personal bias but I love living in IV, and after having stayed in Stetson West over the summer for orientation, when it was unbearably hot, I was grateful that I lived in IV. Remember, after freshman year you can choose to live in a cheap apartment. And as for the meal plan, I had 15 first semester and I just downgraded to 10, because 15 was way too much- I always had meals left over and a lot of guest passes- I’d prefer to have extra dining dollars than extra meals.</p>
<p>the food is great</p>