Frequently Asked Questions

Q: When should I start looking at colleges?

A: The summer between your junior and senior year of high school is a great time to start visiting the schools that interest you and asking questions about living on campus, such as dining services, medical services, and residence life. Visit the school’s website beforehand — it may provide some of this information.

Q: How do colleges manage food allergies?

A: Every college has their own food allergy policy. Use the FAAN College Network to contact College Representatives and learn how each college helps students to manage their food allergies.

Q: Who should I contact first with questions about my food allergies?

A: The College Representatives listed in the FAAN College Network should be your first point of contact. Some colleges have dietitians, nutritionists, dining service managers, and others who can help. The College Representative can provide contact information for these individuals, if appropriate.

Q: How can Dining Services (or similar department) help with my food allergy?

A: Introduce yourself to the college dining service team (or similar department) and ask to speak to the person in charge of food allergy information; this may be a chef, dietitian, nutritionist, food service director, dining service manager, or someone else. Talk to the college’s food allergy contact (use the FAAN College Network to find out who this is) for guidance about eating on campus. Ask the food service director how you can verify the ingredients of each meal and how you can exchange an unsafe entrée for one you can eat. Discuss food preparation and the risk of cross contact. Some students have found a tour of the kitchen and food storage areas to be helpful.

Many schools have fast food outlets on campus; be sure to check out the ingredient lists. Some schools permit you to rent a micro-fridge (combination refrigerator/freezer/microwave). This allows you the option of preparing foods in your room. Find out if the top three schools you are considering have this option.

Q: How can Residence Life (or similar department) help with my food allergy?

A: The Residence Life staff (or similar department) can provide information about your housing options. They can help you decide whether or not you want to have a roommate. A supportive friend who knows about your food allergies is the best choice. On the other hand you may want to skip having a roommate. Find out if your school offers single rooms, or you may want to consider the possibility of living in off-campus housing, such as an apartment. The College Representatives in the FAAN College Network can help put you in touch with the Residence Life staff.

Q: How can the Office of Disabilities (or similar department) help with my food allergy?

A: Talk to the Office of Disabilities staff (or similar department) to determine if you need to file any information about your food allergy. The College Representatives in the FAAN College Network can help put you in touch with the Office of Disabilities and help you understand what role they play at each college.

Q: How are emergencies handled on campus? Who should I talk to about what to do in case of a reaction?

A: Each college is different, so start by asking a College Representative for guidance. Usually the campus police department is the first to respond to any emergency on campus. Meet with them to talk to discuss what to do if you need their help. If you have a prescription for epinephrine, let them know. Remind them that you'll need a quick response if you have an allergic reaction.

Also meet with the director of the campus clinic or health unit. Ask them if they can treat an allergic reaction, and if so, how you should handle a reaction if the clinic is closed. Find out where the local hospital is and the quickest way to get there.

The conversations you have with college staff about treating a reaction may provide you insight as to how helpful each school will be in managing your food allergies.

In addition, meet with the Emergency Medical Services (EMS) and the ambulance service in the town. Ask to have your medical information put into their computer system, or how they can “flag” your name in their office.

Q: What should I do to prepare after I have selected a college?

A: Soon after you have selected the college you will attend, contact an allergist close to where you’ll be going to school and make an appointment for two to six weeks before the fall term begins. Be sure to have copies of your records, as well as any prescriptions transferred.

During June or July of the summer before you leave for college, talk to your parents about how health insurance will be handled. Find out about coverage while you are away from home and what procedures you should follow for submission of claims while at college. Carry proof of coverage with you at all times.

Clarify the university policy regarding medicine administration by staff with the campus health director. If staff is not allowed to administer medication, find out what they can do to ensure that you get the care you need quickly in the event of an allergic reaction.

As soon as you've selected a college, mail or fax a letter explaining your allergies along with a Food Allergy Action Plan (available from FAAN) signed by your doctor to the dorm director and food service director. Plan a food allergy orientation for the dorm and food service staff with the campus health director. If possible, schedule the orientation before students arrive. FAAN has free presentation templates available for download if you need them.

Be factual in your discussion. Your confidence in managing your allergy will make others confident, too. Plan to have the staff view FAAN’s One Bite Is All It Takes! DVD, practice using an epinephrine auto-injector, and review the signs of a reaction and the steps to be taken in the event one occurs.

Q: What should I do once I arrive at college?

A: Orient the dorm and food service staff with the help of the campus health director. Orient your roommate and hall mates with the help of your Resident Advisor.

Distribute your Food Allergy Action Plan to all dorm staff members, and place a copy next to the phone in your dorm room and in your Resident Advisor's room. Assemble emergency medical kits with medications you use to treat a reaction and a copy of your Food Allergy Action Plan signed by your doctor. Keep one of these kits in your dorm room, keep one at the front desk, and carry one with you at all times.

Once you’ve moved into your dorm room, call the local EMS and hospital and be sure they have information about you in their system.

Re-introduce yourself to the food service staff and be sure they have information about you on file. Even after this, when eating at the dining hall, be sure to ask questions about food ingredients at each meal. Don’t assume anything.