How's the meal plan at Cornell?

Can someone give me the rundown on the meal plan situation at Cornell? I've heard mixed reviews, but I want to know more specifics: variety, quality, flexibility of the meal plans, etc. Fun fact: I'm vegetarian. Will that impact my experience with the meal plan?

Absolutely, I'd be glad to share some information about the meal plan at Cornell.

First, let's talk about variety. Cornell's dining system is among the top-ranked in the country, and they offer a variety of cuisines at their different dining halls. Additionally, their menus are constantly changing, so you likely won't get bored with the food quickly.

For vegetarians, Cornell offers quite a few options. Most, if not all, dining halls have a dedicated vegetarian section, and numerous vegan and vegetarian options are spread throughout the various cafés and eateries across campus. They also clearly label their menus with symbols indicating vegetarian, vegan, made without gluten, etc., which is pretty convenient.

As for quality, Cornell prides itself on using many locally sourced and sustainable ingredients - Cornell benefits from being close to a wide range of farms. Many students praise the quality of the food, although of course, opinions do vary.

Regarding flexibility, Cornell offers various meal plan options for students. Freshmen are generally required to have an unlimited meal plan, which gives you access to any dining hall any time they're open. You also get dining points that can be used at the retail locations on campus.

Upperclassmen have more flexibility and can choose from different tiered meal plans based on their needs and eating habits. For example, there are some options that are designed for students who are living off-campus.

One downside some students report is that compared to other schools, the cost of the meal plan is relatively high. However, Cornell's commitment to quality and variety in their dining offerings is pretty commendable.

In short, as a vegetarian, you should have a solid experience with their meal plan. Remember, though, that everyone's taste and preferences are different, and what works for one person might not work for another. I'd recommend reaching out to Cornell's dining services directly, for more personalized advice.

Finally, if you end up applying to Cornell and want tips on how to maximize your chances of acceptance, I'd check out this blog post from CollegeVine, which breaks down how to tackle their school-specific supplemental essays: https://blog.collegevine.com/how-to-write-the-cornell-university-essays/. The essays are a great place to paint a more comprehensive picture of who you are as a person, beyond your grades - you could even discuss being vegetarian!

Good luck with your college research!