It's that time of year again, millions of students are headed to college. For businesses in the city of Boston, this means an overload of new potential customers, so the pressure is on to hook the newbies in town on their products or services. A common way that businesses attract the student population is through student discounts, which can be extremely helpful when you're living on a limited budget. Almost anywhere you go, if you show your college ID, you can get some kind of discount or special offer. Everywhere from your favorite coffee place to the art museum will probably be able to offer you something. To help you get the most out of these student discounts, I've found the top five discounts in Boston for food, shopping, and entertainment, and I encourage you to go out and see what you can find too.
Food
1. Chipotle
At Chipotle, college students can get a free soft drink with the purchase of a burrito when you show a valid college ID at purchase.
2. Subway
A valid college ID will get you 10% off your entire purchase at Subway.
3. Buffalo Wild Wings
Most locations offer a 10% discount with a college ID. Ask your server to see if your nearest location participates.
4. Qdoba
A valid student ID will get you a $5 burrito meal at Qdoba.
5. McDonald's
A valid student ID will save you 10% off any McDonald's purchase.
Shopping
1. H&M
At H&M, a Student ID will earn you 15% off your entire in-store purchase.
2. Urban Outfitters
Urban Outfitters offers a 10% discount on specific days with a valid college ID. They offer a Student Program that will notify you when a discount day is approaching.
3. Toms
Your college ID will save you 10% at any Toms store.
4. Apple Store
The Apple Students section has discounts up to $200 off a new computer exclusively for college students.
5. Goodwill
Even your local Goodwill store offers a student discount. With a valid college ID, you can save 10% off your purchase.
Entertainment
1. Red Sox Games
For the third season in a row, Boston area college students can get $9 standing-room-only tickets for a Red Sox Game with a valid ID.
2. Museum of Fine Arts
Students at certain Boston-area schools can get free admission to the museum with their ID, and others can get in at a discounted price of $18. Check online to see if you qualify.
3. The Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum
With a valid college ID, admission for students is only $5, 1/3 of the price of a regular ticket. If you attend a college that is a University Member, you can visit the museum for free.
4. Duck Tours
A student with a valid college ID can save $6 on a Boston Duck Tour. Student Tickets are $29.99.
5. Boston Frog Pond
The Boston Frog Pond offers half-price skating to students with a valid ID every Tuesday from mid-November to mid-March.