Resources

Allergy-Friendly Campus Guide: Washington University

Washington University

Location: St. Louis, Missouri I was in contact with the registered dietitians (Rebecca and Susan) before coming to campus, and they were really helpful. On my move-in day, I attended a couple of food allergy sessions, toured the kitchen, and met the executive chef. I learned that the chefs are FARE-trained, and they seem to be really aware of allergies. There is a top-8 free station (will become top-9 free next year). There are separate areas for preparation, and everything is clearly marked. Overall, my dining experience at WashU has been really good, and the dietitians are very interested in my well-being and safety, which I appreciate!  

Allergy-Friendly Campus Guide: Elon University

Elon University

Location: Elon, North Carolina Elon had been my dream school for a few years, but when I was finally accepted into one of their BFA Programs, we realized that getting to attend this might actually become a real possibility. All that was left was to work out accommodations for my food allergies. It turns out that there were hardly any preparations necessary because this school has SO many established food allergy resources. First of all, the school has a dining hall section that is COMPLETELY allergy friendly. Yes, that’s right. It is free of the top 8 allergens with no cross contamination. They also have my favorite allergy friendly brands as “grab and go” snack items in the different dining halls. They also have extensive amounts of allergy friendly food items in each of the stores on campus. All of these things have made my first year and a half at Elon go as smoothly as possible and have kept my family, who lives 12 hours away, at ease. I am forever grateful for all of their efforts, and hope that others will be encouraged by this information because attending a university far from home with multiple life threatening food allergies IS possible!  

Allergy-Friendly Campus Guide: Auburn University

Auburn University

Location: Auburn, Alabana In three of the dining halls there are allergy stations called True Balance which serve meals free from the top 8 food allergens—my go-to place to eat for dinner! There is also a Panera, Au Bon Pain, Starbucks, NYC gyro food truck, and Amsterdam taco truck on campus! I find I can eat at all these places with no worries about allergens!  

Allergy-Friendly Campus Guide: Scripps College

Scripps College

Location: Claremont, California The Scripps dining hall was initially less than ideal for food allergies, but they were really receptive to my suggestions about improving their allergy policy and putting some changes in place. At the Claremont Colleges, you are also allowed to eat at any of the colleges’ dining halls, so I have found it not that difficult to find safe on-campus food options!  

Allergy-Friendly Campus Guide: Loyola Marymount University

Loyola Marymount University

Location: Los Angeles, California To be honest, my experience at the school’s dining hall were not the best. Thankfully things have improved since I left, but I would still make an effort to meet with the head chef upon move in at the 2 main dining halls. The student run coffee shop is amazing though. Nursing staff on campus are wonderful. If you get allergy shots, try to get on the waitlist the second you enroll!  

Allergy-Friendly Campus Guide: Harvard University

Harvard University

Location: Cambridge, Massachusetts My experience with dining at Harvard with a nut allergy has been somewhat positive. Dishes with allergens are only sometimes labelled, and so it requires a lot of asking the dining staff. I also have been given the option to order my meals separately and email ahead (accommodations through AEO). However, students at Harvard do not have the option to cook for themselves or get off of the required meal plan.  

Allergy-Friendly Campus Guide: Smith College

Smith College

Location: Northampton, Massachusetts As a Smith alum, I recommend Smith for food allergic students, depending on your allergies and dietary restrictions. Smith’s dining system is more accommodating to food allergies because it is not centralized. Labeling of food ingredients and common allergens is usually correct and staff are always willing to answers your questions!  

Allergy-Friendly College Campus Guide: Emory University

Emory University

Location: Atlanta, Georgia My food allergy experience at Emory was literally a dream come true! That being said, it did require a lot of work and advanced planning! I only ate at the main dining all (where all the employees knew me!) and never at any of the other dining halls. This main dining hall was completely free of peanuts, tree nuts, and shellfish. They also have a GF station and a vegan station.