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Let me offer a few words of advice: Take advantage of your student discount. This is the only time in your life you get to describe yourself as "poor" and have people sympathize with you.
Some of you may not think it matters right now. What do you care? You might be getting by on generous "donations" from your parental units, Uncle Sam or all-too-eager-to-help credit card companies. But, the time will come when you will actually need the money. In a few short years, after graduation, you'll find yourself at work (it's true!), on company time, using company equipment to fabricate fake validation stickers to adhere to your expired, well-worn student ID. And you'll regret ever shunning the student discount.
For now, you are one of the lucky ones if you have a valid student ID. Use it!
Ask if a student discount is available. Whether purchasing a bus ticket or ordering a pizza, make it a habit to ask. A number of companies that offer student discounts do not publicize them. Save your pennies by following this guide to great student deals in the Baltimore area.
Art and culture
The most obvious places to wield the precious power of your student ID are at arts and cultural institutions. From the Baltimore Museum of Art to the Great Blacks in Wax Museum, virtually every arts institution of merit offers some sort of student discount. Here is a list of Baltimore's best cultural student discounts.
American Visionary Art Museum
Save $2. Students pay $6, instead of $9.
Baltimore Museum of Art
Save $5. Students pay $5, instead of $10. Museum is free on the First Thursday of every month. Free for 18 and under.
Baltimore Museum of Industry
Save $2. Students pay $5, instead of $7.
The Baltimore Opera Company
"Opera for Starving Students" promises half-price gallery seats (only $21) available one hour before performance. Call day of show for ticket availability.
Baltimore Symphony Orchestra
Save up to $30 per show with student rush tickets. Subject to availability, a limited number of discounted tickets will be sold for $10 to students. Student tickets are available beginning at noon on concert day, one ticket per valid student ID, cash only. Call the ticket office the Monday prior to performance day for rush availability.
Baltimore Tattoo Museum
Exhibitions are free for all at all times.
Center Stage
Full-time students with valid ID can buy discounted tickets in person at the box office on the day of each performance (as long as tickets are available). Student saver tickets range from $10 to $20, depending on the performance. Special subscription rate exists for students. A student may buy a package of at least 3 plays at $15 per play. Call 410-332-0033 for details.
Contemporary Museum
Suggested donation at the door (in other words, "free" for cheapskates).
The Great Blacks in Wax Museum
Save a whole quarter (hey, you'll need it when you get around to doing laundry). Students pay $5.75, instead of $6.
Maryland Art Place
Exhibitions are free for all at all times.
National Museum of Dentistry
Save $2. Students pay $2.50, instead of $4.50.
Baltimore Theatre Project
Save $5. Students pay $10, instead of $15.
The Walters Art Museum
Save $3. Students pay $5, instead of $8.
Travel
In addition to needing to navigate the city without wheels of your own, chances are you're also going to be doing a lot of traveling between school and your former home, or you'll be heading home with friends for vacations and long weekends. Traveling can get pricey, but most of the major transportation companies provide discounts.
MTA
Using public transportation in Baltimore can be a real adventure. The MTA College 39 Pass lets students get around town for approximately $1 a day. Students at participating schools can ride the MTA buses, light rail and Metro subway all month for only $39. Check with your student activities center or business office. For more information, call 410-767-8755.
Amtrak
Save 15 percent off your rail fare with a Student Advantage card. (See below.)
Greyhound
Save 15 percent off your fare with a Student Advantage card. (See below.)
Student travel agencies
The Student Airfare Resource Page
www.angelfire.com/oh/studentair
Once you get past the annoying pop-up ads, this page provides a comprehensive index of student travel sites linking you up with discount flights, cheap airfares and student discounts.
usit WORLD
www.usitnow.ie
Among the many points in its declaration of principals, usit WORLD makes the commitment to offer the young traveler access to low-cost travel and appropriate and flexible arrangements.
Uber cards
When one card is simply not enough, you may want to seek the advantages offered by these additional student cards. While many require a fee up front, these cards each offer enough discounts and additional benefits to pay for themselves many times over.
Student Advantage
www.studentadvantage.com
Provides a variety of services and benefits to college students through membership programs and a Web site. Once you purchase your card, there are different membership levels -- a one-year current Student Advantage Membership costs $20 plus $5 shipping, or you can leap in for the long haul and spring for the 4-year plan for just $60 plus $5 shipping and handling. These cards are accepted at any merchant that displays the "SA" logo offering food, shopping, cultural and travel discounts. Some area discounts include: Free small popcorn with admission at the Charles Theatre, $1 off cover charge (College Night only) at Have A Nice Day Cafe, $3 off selected merchandise at Record & Tape Traders, 10 percent off at Eddie's Market in Charles Village and 15 percent off at Egyptian Pizza.
Student Advantage also offers 15 percent travel discounts from Amtrak, Greyhound, USAirways and Priceline.com, and renters between the ages of 21 and 24 don't have to pay an under-age fee at Dollar Rent A Car.
SA also offers $50 off any Princeton Review GMAT, LSAT, GRE or MCAT course. Visit the Web site for a comprehensive index of benefits.
International Student Identity Card
www.isic.org
The International Student Identity Card (ISIC or "eye-zic") was originally created to give traveling students a document that would be readily accepted worldwide as proof of their student status. The $22 card boasts a bevy of discounts (domestically and abroad) of up to 50 percent off of airfare, skiing and museums, and up to 70 percent off standard international calling rates. The card also promises benefits around the world like free Web-based e-mail, phone card service and voice mail. Worldwide discounts are also listed on the International Student Travel Confederation (ISTC) Web site.
International Student Exchange Card
www.isecards.com
For $25, this card (like the ISIC) promises students discounts around the world including in Europe, the United States, Korea, Singapore, Egypt and Australia. The ISE promises discounts of 10 percent to 50 percent on entrance fees to museums, castles and palaces, and special student rates and discounts at hotels, restaurants, shops, theaters, concerts, operas, cinemas, recreational facilities, rentals (auto, motorcycle and bicycle), bus routes, boat routes, railroads and selected European airlines. The ISE Card also provides toll-free telephone assistance to members at all times to assist with lost passports, travel documents or legal problems. The company also sends emergency cash and covers up to $2,000 in medical expenses and up to $5,000 in evacuation fees, if necessary.
Bus
Travel
Electronics
Food
http://developer.apple.com/students/sthardware.html
http://www.statravel.com/cps/rde/xchg/us_division_web_live/
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