Hi folks, I've been admitted into WashU and I'm trying to understand their meal plans. I've heard a few things here and there, but I'd love a detailed explanation from current students or recent grads.
Congrats on your admission to WashU! I'm not a current student or recent grad, but I'm familiar with the university and its dining system.
WashU offers several meal plan options for on-campus students, which consist of meal swipes and Bear Bucks.
Meal swipes can be used at both dining halls - the Danforth University Center (the DUC) and the South 40 House. Each time you eat a meal at one of these dining halls, it counts as a meal swipe. The dining halls offer a variety of food options, and it's all you can eat within a single visit.
Bear Bucks is flexible spending money that can be used at places like the on-campus Starbucks, Einstein Bros Bagels, Cherry Tree Cafe, and other dining establishments on campus. It can also be used for non-food items at campus stores.
The Bear Bucks roll over from semester to semester for the academic year but don't roll over after the spring semester ends, so make sure to use them up before then.
The meal plans may vary depending on your year of study. As a first-year, you'll likely have the "First Year Plan," which offers unlimited meal swipes and a certain amount of Bear Bucks.
After your first year, you'll have the option to choose from different plans that offer varying amounts of meal swipes and Bear Bucks. For example, one plan might offer 19 meals per week with fewer Bear Bucks, while another might offer 14 meal swipes per week with more Bear Bucks.
Remember to select a meal plan that aligns with your eating habits – if you know you prefer cooking or eating out, consider a plan with lower meal swipes but higher Bear Bucks credits.
Keep in mind, meal plans might have changed slightly due to COVID-19, so it would be a good idea to confirm these details with the university. I hope this gives you a clear picture of the meal plans at WashU! Enjoy your time there!
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