Princeton Meal Plan – What are the Options?

Thinking about meals part of college, I am curious to know, what are the meal plan options at Princeton? Are they mandatory for first years? What's the food like?

At Princeton, first-years, sophomores, and juniors living on campus are required to be on a meal plan and there are several options available. The most commonly chosen by underclassmen is the "unlimited" plan. This offers unlimited dining hall entries, 3 guest meals per semester, along with up to $150 of "meal swipes" to use at other food locations on campus.

Conversely, the "Block 95" plan offers 95 dining hall meals per semester, 5 guest meals per semester, as well as up to $325 of "meal swipes". Some students, particularly those who prefer eating meals from cafes or cooking in their own dorm kitchens, prefer this plan for its flexibility and the larger amount of flexible dining points.

For seniors, the meal plans consist of 5, 10, or 15 meals per week options, mostly due to many seniors living off-campus or in dorms with kitchens, allowing them more flexibility in their dining habits.

As for the food, it's said to be pretty good overall. However, it can depend on personal tastes and dietary needs. There are regular meals options, as well as vegetarian, vegan, halal, and gluten-free options. The Princeton dining services have also been noted for their effort to source ingredients locally and sustainably, something that might be important to some students.

Remember, it can be beneficial to think about your personal eating habits, the convenience of on-campus dining options, your comfort with cooking, and other factors like your class schedule while deciding on a meal plan.