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how much?
what other expenses do you have to worry about when going to a college that the colleges dont tell you about? ..if you're living at the dorm, also. Do you need a meal plan? what are those, and how much do they cost? any other information would be appreciated!
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I agree with what everyone else has said and I guess it depends on the school but I know at my college the meal plan is part of the tuition.
Also most schools offer something where you can get on-campus cash (at my school they are called "points"). Basically how this works is you pay a certain amount of money up front and then the school credits it to your student account and you can use it towards things on campus such as on-campus food courts (not to be confused with dining halls, these are more a la carte where you pay for individual foods whereas at the dining hall you pay a flat fee and can eat as much as you want). You can also use it for laundry and at the on-campus markets. Basically you just give them your student id card and they swipe it and then it will show you your remaining balance and you can add money whenever you want.
Also I don't know if you have your own bank account but if you don't I would suggest opening one at or near the school because you will definitely be needing money for when you decide to go out to eat (trust me you will get sick of the dining hall fast) or to the movies, etc. Books are pretty pricey (mine usually cost atleast 500 dollars per semester). What I would highly recommend doing would be to order your books online ahead of time (you can probably find a link to your school's bookstore on their website). You can look up what books you need by typing in the classes you are taking and then pay by credit card. That way when you go to pick them up they will be all ready for you and you won't have to wait in the ridiculously long lines.
Sorry that was so long. I hope I didn't overwhelm you. Basically just don't worry too much, every one is going through the same thing and you will figure it out what works for you as time goes by.
PS Have you gone to freshmen orientation yet? If not, they will explain a lot of it there and don't be afraid to bombard them with questions, they're used to it!
Sorry one more thing--here is a helpful site from my school that lists useful things to bring for your dorm: [Link](Mouse over link to see full location)
Good luck!
Jenny
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I'm going to a state college, and the meal plan wasn't included in tuition, but it is required for incoming freshman that live on campus. The meal plan is around $1800 per semester, which is crazy, but there's no way of getting out of it.
Books are another big cost, several hundred dollars goes to books.
With the dorm, it depends what is already in the room. You might need to buy a mini fridge, storage containers, or even a mirror or something like that. And they might charge you extra for air conditioning, I know my college does.
Then of course all your supplies, a parking permit if you have a car, stuff like a tv or computer if you want one, etc.
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a bus pass ($30)
health insurance
fees for some science lab classes
books
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Well my son attends college so I can give you some details. Yes most colleges offer a meal plan, and most likely your parents will pay for that, it will be included in you tuition fees BUT, the meal plan is only good in the school cafeteria, which is only open certain hours. I mean I am sure it is open for three meals a day, but I don't know about snacks and getting the munchies at 10 oclock a night. So you will be hungry even when the cafeteria is closed. So mom and dad should send lots of care packages with non perishable food and drinks, or send cash which is always good. You'll need books as you know, but there is also pens, pencils, note books, etc, etc. I am not sure about laundry, my son AND his girlfriend come here on weekends and do their laundry. You'll need health and beauty items. Soap, shampoo, toothpaste, etc. etc.
There are extra activities that the students are allowed to join to go to, plays and stuff, and not all of them are free. Anything off campus costs money. Many campuses have places to go to listen to music, poetry, etc. and some don't serve alcohol so all ages can go, but they cost money too, but they are fun.
PS some colleges have good food and some have horrible food. I don't think there is anyway to know ahead of time.
Good luck to you and congratulations on going to college
Michele
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