How do grad students eat? posted by Amanda Kreklau in Life at Brandeis April 1, 2008

I am looking at entering Brandeis this fall as a graduate student living off-campus. I plan to be on campus a lot, for classes, club activities, hopefully work, and just studying in the library. Do graduate students tend to buy and make their food at their off-campus residences? Do some graduate students get meal plans, and how are they working out? Thanks! Also, if anyone has information on the best places to look for off-campus housing, I'd be glad to hear it. I'm keeping up with the boards here, and on craigslist, but I'm not planning to move until August, so I have plenty of time...

Response to posted by Samantha Howe in Life at Brandeis April 2, 2008

I'm not a grad student, but senior year I lived off campus and spent a lot of time on. What I did, and I get the sense that most other people living off campus did/do, was put WhoCash on my ID. It generally works out to be less expensive than an actual meal plan and is just as convenient. Just make sure to monitor how much WhoCash you have left so that you don't run out before adding more.

Response to posted by Elliot Kendall in Life at Brandeis April 7, 2008

On-campus food tends to be expensive and not very good compared to stuff available off campus. There are three cafes a short walk away, and tons of places if you don't mind driving. Even a lot of undergrads end up making their own food once they've got housing with a kitchen.

As far as housing goes, I highly recommend Charlesbank Estates and Charlesbank Gardens, two apartment complexes very near campus. They are far nicer than most other nearby apartments.

Response to posted by Steven Karel in Life at Brandeis April 9, 2008

Few if any of the grad students I know have meal plans. Many grad students live in Somerville or Cambridge not too far from the Porter Sq T station and (reverse-)commute on the train. Many others live in Waltham. There is a bunch of advice for new grad students and about housing at https://wiki.brandeis.edu/twiki/bin/view/Bio/NewGrads and at http://www.brandeis.edu/studentlife/grad/

Response to posted by Amanda Kreklau in Life at Brandeis April 9, 2008

Thank you guys for the advice - that's exactly what I needed to know!

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