Navigating the Claremont McKenna College Meal Plan: A Deep Dive
Alright, let's talk about one of the most central parts of student life at Claremont McKenna College (CMC): the food. When you're grinding through classes, extracurriculars, & social events, figuring out what & where you're going to eat is a BIG deal. The whole meal plan situation at the Claremont Colleges can seem a little complicated at first, but honestly, it's one of the coolest perks of being a student here.
I’ve spent a lot of time figuring out the ins & outs of the dining system, from the mandatory plans for dorm residents to the nitty-gritty of "Board Plus" dollars. So, I wanted to break it all down for you—the different plans, the costs, the student hacks, & the REAL story on which dining halls are worth the walk.
The Bottom Line: Yes, You Need a Meal Plan (If You Live on Campus)
First things first, if you're living in a CMC residence hall, you are required to have a meal plan. There’s no getting around it. If you're living off-campus or in the Student Apartment Complex, you have the option to get one, but it's not mandatory. This is pretty standard for colleges, & it's to make sure everyone has easy access to food without having to cook for themselves.
Meal plan changes can generally be made during the first week of classes each semester, so you have a little flexibility if you find your initial choice isn't the right fit.
The Meal Plan Options: A Breakdown
Here’s where it gets interesting. While the official CMC website for 2025-2026 prominently features one plan, a little digging into student guides reveals a few different tiers you can choose from. This is super important because your eating habits, class schedule, & social life will determine which plan is the most cost-effective for you.
Here are the typical options, based on the most current data & student guides:
1. The 19-Meal Plan:
- Cost: The 2025-2026 Cost of Attendance lists this plan at $10,270 for the year. This breaks down to about $5,135 per semester.
- What you get: 19 meals per week & typically around $200 in "Flex" or "Board Plus" dollars per semester.
- Who it's for: This is the default, all-in plan. It’s perfect for first-year students who are still getting into a routine & will likely be eating most of their meals on campus. If you're a creature of habit, want three meals a day during the week, & brunch/dinner on the weekends, this plan has you covered. You’ll rarely have to worry about running out of swipes.
2. The 16-Meal Plan:
- Cost: Based on available student guides, this plan runs around $5,110 per semester.
- What you get: 16 meals per week, plus an allotment of Flex dollars.
- Who it's for: This is a super popular option for students who find they don't quite need 19 meals. Maybe you sleep in & miss breakfast a couple of times a week, or you have a club that provides dinner once a week. This plan gives you a bit more breathing room so you're not wasting meal swipes.
3. The 12-Meal Plan:
- Cost: This plan is estimated at $4,700 per semester.
- What you get: 12 meals per week & Flex dollars.
- Who it's for: This is for the student who is a bit more independent. Maybe you like to cook some of your own meals, eat off-campus more frequently, or you're just not a three-meals-a-day person. It gives you about two meals per day, which for many students is plenty, especially if you use your Flex dollars for snacks & coffee.
4. The 8-Meal Plan:
- Cost: The most budget-friendly option, coming in at about $4,380 per semester.
- What you get: 8 meals per week & a smaller amount of Flex dollars.
- Who it's for: This is typically for upperclassmen, students living in apartments with kitchens, or those who are VERY disciplined. It’s enough for one solid meal on campus each day, plus an extra. If you’re a big snacker or get food from other sources often, this could save you a good chunk of money.
"Board Plus" or "Flex Dollars": Your On-Campus Currency
Okay, let's demystify this. Accompanying every meal plan is an allotment of "Board Plus" dollars, often just called "Flex" by students. Think of it as a pre-loaded debit card specifically for food & drink purchases on campus.
Here's the lowdown on Flex:
- It's 1-to-1 with real dollars: $1 in Flex = $1 for a coffee.
- No tax: One of the best perks is that you don't pay sales tax when you use Flex dollars.
- Where to use it: You can use it at any of the cash-register operations at the 5Cs. This includes places like The Hub at CMC, The Coop at Pomona, The Motley Coffeehouse at Scripps, & Jay's Place at Harvey Mudd. It's perfect for grabbing a smoothie, a late-night snack, or a coffee between classes.
- Use it or lose it: This is CRITICAL. Board Plus dollars do NOT roll over from one semester to the next. You’ll see a mad dash of students at the end of every semester buying up snacks & drinks to use up their remaining balance. Don't be the person who leaves money on the table!
It’s also important to know the difference between Board Plus & Claremont Cash. Claremont Cash is money you or your parents load onto your student ID card. It can be used for anything on campus, including laundry, bookstore purchases, & even at some off-campus spots. You DO pay tax when using Claremont Cash.
The BEST Part: The 5C Dining Experience
This is honestly the biggest selling point of the Claremont dining system. Your CMC meal plan isn’t just for CMC. You can use your meal swipes at ANY of the other undergraduate dining halls: Pomona, Scripps, Pitzer, & Harvey Mudd.
This is a GAME CHANGER. It means you have access to a huge variety of food, atmospheres, & specialty nights. If you have a class on North Campus, you can just pop into Harvey Mudd’s dining hall for lunch. If you're meeting friends at Scripps, you can eat there.
Here's the general student consensus on the dining halls:
- CMC (Collins): It’s our home base. It's known for being a very social spot, a great place to meet up with friends, & has reliable options. The Hub is also a fantastic alternative for made-to-order sandwiches, burgers, & grab-and-go items.
- Harvey Mudd (Linde): Often cited by students as one of the best. They’re known for having really good quality food, great theme nights (like steak night), & just generally being a top-tier option.
- Pitzer (McConnell): Another student favorite, often praised for its fresh, healthy, & vegetarian/vegan-friendly options. It has a more chill, earthy vibe.
- Scripps (Malott): Students often like the atmosphere at Scripps. It has a classic, beautiful dining hall & solid food choices.
- Pomona (Frary & Frank): Pomona has two main dining halls. Frary is known for its beautiful, Harry Potter-esque architecture. Frank is more casual. Pomona's dining is sometimes ranked lower by students, but they offer a ton of variety & extended hours at places like the Coop Fountain for late-night eats.
The ability to hop between these dining halls prevents the dreaded "food fatigue" that can set in at other colleges. You can literally have a different dining experience every day of the week.
So, Which Plan is Right for You?
Honestly, it comes down to self-awareness.
- If you're a first-year student: Start with the 19 or 16-meal plan. It’s better to have too many meals than too few while you're adjusting to college life. You can always downgrade next semester.
- If you hate mornings: Don't get the 19-meal plan. You'll likely sleep through breakfast most days, & those are wasted swipes. The 12 or 16-plan is probably a better fit.
- If you're an athlete or work out a lot: The 19-meal plan is probably your best bet to make sure you're getting enough calories without having to constantly spend extra money.
- If you're on a tight budget: The 12 or 8-meal plan can save you significant money. Just be prepared to supplement with groceries or be very strategic with your swipes & Flex dollars.
- If you're living in an apartment: Unless you LOVE the convenience, consider the 8-meal plan or no plan at all. This gives you the flexibility to cook for yourself. It’s also a great way to save money. And if you’re finding parking is a hassle when you drive to campus to grab a meal, you can use a service like Prked. It lets you find convenient & affordable parking spots in private driveways & garages right near campus, so you can easily pop in for a meal without circling for a spot.
And speaking of storage, if you're an upperclassman moving between a dorm & an apartment, you might find yourself with more stuff than space. Instead of paying for a commercial storage unit over the summer, check out Prked for storage solutions too. You can rent out someone's empty garage, attic, or basement nearby for a fraction of the cost. It’s a pretty cool way to handle summer storage without breaking the bank.
I hope this was a helpful deep dive into the world of CMC meal plans! It’s a system with a lot of flexibility & a TON of options once you know how to use it. Let me know if you have any other questions
