How to choose a first-year meal plan

Your Choices

As of February 2013, first-year students in Columbia College and the School of Engineering and Applied Science have three meal plans from which to choose.

1. Plan 1: 19 meals per week and 75 Dining Dollars per term, plus 15 floating meals and 6 faculty meals.
2. Plan 2: 15 meals per week and 125 Dining Dollars per term, plus 10 floating meals and 6 faculty meals.
3. Plan 3: 19 meals per week, $50 Flex and 25 Dining Dollars per term, plus 15 floating meals and 6 faculty meals.
4. Plan 4: The Kosher meal plan.

The first three plans have no difference in cost, while the Kosher meal plan costs 10% more than the regular meal plans.

Meals per week are all-you-can-eat meals in three dining halls: John Jay Dining Hall, Ferris Booth Commons, and JJ's Place. Dining Dollars are tax-free dollars that can be used at many dining establishments on campus. Flex Dollars are taxed dollars that can be used at many dining establishments on campus, as well as local restaurants, grocery stores, and drug stores, and for miscellaneous uses like laundry.

Historically, upperclassmen recommend that first-years choose a meal plan with fewer meals per week and more Dining Dollars. However, students who may find themselves on-campus during any academic holidays--when all campus dining halls are closed--may rather choose Plan 3 so as to have Flex Dollars during the break. Additionally, students that expect to eat more of their meals on-campus and fewer in the Morningside Heights neighborhood may prefer a meal plan with more meals per week.

How to select a plan

Over the summer before your first-year, Columbia will send you a survey for you to note your housing preferences. On this survey, you also choose which of the three dining plans you will purchase. If you decide to change your mind, you can change your meal plan up through the first two weeks of school for a fee of $20.

External Links

Columbia Dining's Dining Plan Comparison: http://dining.columbia.edu/dining-plan-comparison