<p>im am going to attend UCR on the fall. however, i have no idea what residence hall i should go to. i am deciding either east lothian or pentland hills. please help which one is better in all aspects of college life. thanks.</p>
<p>UCR held a "Discover UCR" session today until 3:00PM. Basically, students took groups on tours through the dorms and some campus facilities.</p>
<p>From what I gather, Pentland Hills offers the most peaceful environment- choose Pentland if you want some seclusion from the often busy residence halls. Pentland consists of (if I remember correctly) 6 buildings, each with 2 "wings" containing 4 rooms each. Typically, Pentland offers double rooms- apply to one of the Lothians for a single occupancy dorm. Pentland is newer than the other dorms, and is actually quite modern inside and out. I intend to apply for a room in Pentland.</p>
<p>I only took a brief tour through West Lothian, and decided to skip completely AI and East Lothian.</p>
<p>West Lothian is a boomerang-shaped residence hall of about 25 rooms on each floor. Apparently, WL is one of the busier dorms since there are more people in each hall. Like the other buildings, WL has a study hall, a computer lab, workout room and game room. There is a shared bathroom (men and women separate, of course) in each hall. Besides that I really didn't pay attention- I was already sold on Pentland.</p>
<p>I should add that East Lothian is somewhat similar to West Lothian, if not completely the same.</p>
<p>As a RSA (Housing staff member) this year, I may be of some assistance. There's no reason for me to fluff anything so I'll just tell you straight-out from my personal experiences. </p>
<p>I'm glad you attended Neofrog and it's good that you're choosing Pentland. Each reshall has their own unique feel towards it. However you do present some wrong information that I would like to correct. The "boomerang" shaped reshall that you describe as West Lothian is actually East Lothian, the newer side of Lothian. With that said, being newer, it has it's perks of controlling their room temperature and just the look of it is more appealing.</p>
<p>However, I do make the arguement that most staff members prefer West Lothian after living in both Lothians. Both has it's good and bads. </p>
<p>If you would picture a semi-circle and add each of the reshalls on one part of the circle, you'll generally find how "old" and how "social" each one of the halls are. </p>
<p>AI - West Lo - East Lo - Pentland </p>
<p>From other's experience and from living at both Lothians, I would prefer to live in Lothian again if I had a chance. You will have the option when you come on campus to move to another reshall if room permits, only after a certain amount of time and negotiations with the Resident Director and your Resident Advisor. </p>
<p>Most people I know tend to like their stay at their reshall and eventually if they were to return, they would return back to the same hall, except for Pentland. All I hear from Pentland residents is that they would like somewhere more social (it's great for study!). At AI I guess they are famously known for having their doors open so everyone could have a chance to talk with each other, very friendly. In West Lothian you have the same, but less. And if you can get what I'm saying, it gets lower and lower. So in Pentland, you'll have a larger chance that your Building will be very anti-social becuase to enter one of these suites of 8 (people), you would have to have the key unlike a traditional "dorm" where the whole hall is generally connected, except for "the cave" in West Lothian. </p>
<p>Moreover, each building in Pentland is separated. I believe it goes from building A-P, Q being the Resident Services Office (RSO). With this separation, there is less likely chance of you (unless you try hard) to see and know people from other buildings much less know your own building. Also because it is separated, when it rains, oh my what a bad walk to go to another's building or to go check your mail at the RSO. </p>
<p>There are goods in Pentland, it's new, you can control your room temp (though I like East Lothian's temperature ranges 55->85 deg compared to Pentland's 67ish -> 72?).</p>
<p>Those that read this post will probably attend Bear Facts and you will get the opportunity to live in Pentland (I was a Bear Facts Counselor).</p>
<p>Personally I like Lothian, either Lothian is fine. If you get placed in West Lo, don't get jealous of East Lo's looks. </p>
<ul>
<li>Raymond Ching
Former Resident Services Assistant, Former Bear Facts Counselor, Brother of Epsilon Iota Sigma.</li>
</ul>
<p>My mistake. Yesterday was only my second time on campus so I still have some things to iron out :)</p>
<p>Hey! Alright I am completely lost to which dorm I should choose. Do all the dorms have loft beds? Is the Lothian really bad? There is so much irony, I'm confused... So accordingly...the Pentland hall is the only one without a dining hall, right?
Can anybody explain to me how exactly is the Pentland hall. By the way what about the a/c at Lothian, is it central or personal? Basically what is the difference between pentland and lothian...like the rooms and showers/bathrooms.... Is Lothian really noisy? Pleassssssssssseeeeeeeee Help.......</p>
<p>And as for Pentlands, are the showers/bathrooms co-ed? What about the meal plans? What can you tell me about that?</p>
<p>Thank You!!!</p>
<p>When will I get a housing application confirmation? I sent my app. on May 1.</p>
<p>showers aren't coed. I would say the best meal plan would be the 10, mostly because the food sucks and you'll be eating out a lot anyways.</p>
<p>Yeah i'm confused about the housing application.. so we send print and send in the parent contract thing separately? when will we know whether the housing request has registered?</p>
<p>Kazaryan: "And as for Pentlands, are the showers/bathrooms co-ed? What about the meal plans? What can you tell me about that?" That's a funny thing to ask, I don't I'm suppose to tell you this but I'm here to give the real deal :o). Anyways, the showers ar enot co-ed, however I experienced this in Lothian as I was talking to some residents/friends that they share bathrooms if they are comfortable? ?? lol Don't ask, but sometimes they go to each other's bathrooms for showering cause supposedly theirs get warmer water or something. I don't know the whole logisitics of this. BUT! You can rest assured that they are not co-ed unless your hall decides that they would like to share and everyone is comfortable with it. Meal plans, after seeing the new system of meal plans, I would recomment the Priemer plan. To say, that plan is pimp. You get a ridiculous balance of money on your card that you can use everywhere. But it costs more of course. It really depends how much you eat every week. 10/14 meals ? Meal plan ranges 10 BASIC/ 10 FLEX(I dont even know if it's called flex, but flex means that you get 10 meals per week and money)/ 14 FLEX/ PREMIERE.</p>
<p>A/C is personal in EAST Lothian and Pentland. Central in West Lothian and A-I. Though it really is not that bad if you live in West Lo and A-I, most everyone eventually likes their stay. </p>
<p>Nishan: If you are asking about a roomate or placement, you won't recieve that until the last week of August. </p>
<p>deepti: I don't remember how the housing application works. I only did it once since you can only be a 1st year once :P But because I was required to live at the dorms again ( not that I wouldn't, I enjoy it most of the time, I enjoy it more if you don't have to regulate on people :o) ) I don't remember having to send in any paperwork, I thought everything was done online. Don't take my advice on this, maybe they changed procedures. </p>
<p>Raymond Ching
Bear Facts Orientation Counselor '05
Housing Staff Member (RSA) '05-'07</p>
<p>To: nxs (or anyone esle that can answer me)</p>
<p>At Pentland will there be an oppertunit to entaract with the oppostie sex or will it just be four girls locked up in a suite together?</p>
<p>I also have a question about the meal plans. I'm probably going to go home on some weekends. I don't eat that much. I probably will have guests... I was thinking about the flex 10 with $450 Dining Dollars. Any suggestions?
Is it hard to upgrade the meal plan later, or do they charge you for it?</p>
<p>Thanks in advance!</p>
<p>lol....I can't believe you asked that question. There will be plenty of interaction.</p>
<p>I'll try to draw it out for you. I don't know why i'm doing this cause you'll experience Pentland for yourself during Bear Facts. Then everyone will want Pentland which is retarded. Anyways</p>
<pre><code> ____ \ /____
</code></pre>
<p>........C<br>
____ / \ ____ </p>
<p>Here is a regular pentland. It is two story building.<br>
C= Center = Common area with TV and lounge and all the shebang.
Each [/ or ] has their own door before their wing. Each wing will have about 4-5 rooms. Your RA or other staff member will be at the end of these. Most likely 2/3rd floor. </p>
<p>Anyways, start with the 10 flex then. If you want more, you can always upgrade and upgrade costs $. downgrading will not. What's funny is that the difference between 10 and 14 is so minimal. It's ridiculous.</p>
<p>Thank you for the drawing! :)
Wait, someone else said that downgrading is harder than upgrading and you're saying downgrading doesn's cost put upgrading does...so what's the hard part about it...And why is this so complicated?</p>
<p>Do you know how much each meal plan costs?</p>
<p>I'm asking because I need to submit the housing contarct by june 1 and I don't want to leave it so late...so many people have done it already...
Thank you so much for all your help.</p>
<p>By the way what do you know about the orientation? The one on July 5-6 is that only for international students? Or like the one on July 7-8 is that only for Spanish families? Let me know, please...</p>
<p>Dang, It seems as if almost all those questions you have can be answer by you just calling in to get the direct source of information. </p>
<p>Meal plan cost - Call housing, they might of changed it since this year for next.</p>
<p>Upgrading and downgrading are BOTH easy to do early on. It is almost impossible to do after hmmm maybe the first 2 weeks. Why? Simply because all the paperwork that needs to be done and the calculations for you to get a refund. It's not so easy. </p>
<p>International students means international students. Students from other countries, ie: studying from abroad or coming to America to study. </p>
<p>Spanish, well if your family understands more Spanish than English, it is preferred they go to this one because we cater to them. Orientation is for you and your family.</p>
<p>Raymond Ching
Bear Facts Orientation Counselor '05
Housing Staff (RSA) '05-'06</p>
<p>Well, I understand what international and spanish families mean... I was just asking whether those dates are just for them or like regular students like me can sign up for those dates as well?</p>
<p>Thanks</p>
<p>Again, its preferred that those familes go to those kind of dates, but anyone can sign up then if room permits. It might be smart to go early to be able to register your classes before the rest of the 1st year/freshman class. </p>
<p>Raymond</p>
<p>Thank You...
Finally! I decided everything! I'm all done, now I just have to wait for orienation day to come. It feel good, not to worry anymore. I appreciate all your help...</p>
<p>By the way, as for the course requirements, I found on the site where to go to check out the requirements for my major, however I kept searching for the GED's but I couldn't find them. Would you be able to tell me where I can find the requirements for the general graduation courses. Once again, thank you!</p>
<p>Hey!
I have another question. The UCR assigned me an email, a net ID, as well as a password. I was wondering, would I be able to change all these? And if so, how? Thanks.</p>
<p>i need serious help in choosing between pentland hills and east lothian. i want to live where it's very friendly but i also consider silence and privacy very important. also, which residence hall has more space? and how are the bathrooms in east lothian? is it really dirty and smelly from what i hear?</p>