<p>Hi
I am an international student who got accepted to UCLA.
I almost made my dicision to accept the offer in UCLA.
However, I recently found out that most of UCLA's freshman student use triple rooms.
I saw the picture of this room that my friend sent me, and I really didn't like it.
I asked my friend who went to UCLA last year about the probablitly of getting single or double room. He said, freshman can barely get a double or single room.
This made me extremely disappointing. Since I am really sensitive to noise (If I hear even a very small noise, I can't go to sleep), I found that it will be very hard for me to share a tiny room with three other people. (Actually, I have shared a room with someone and I literally hated it).
I know that studying at university will be very tough and I at least need to rest and have peaceful mind in my own private time.
This is the only reason that lets down UCLA.
Please help me to make a decision.</p>
<p>The dorms are pretty small, but I think the size is typical of a university dorm (at least for the UCs). My first-year friend has a double in Sproul, so it is possible to get doubles. At first I thought there was barely any room for two people, two beds, two desks, and two closets, but he told me you end up not using all of the space. He also said he was lucky to get a double though, so I think many room triple :/</p>
<p>The reason “some” freshman have triples right now is that for that last few years and for a couple more UCLA is completely renovating the high rise dorm buildings one at a time. I am not sure which one is closed right now but I know that Sproul re-opened last year and is very nice now. So while these renovations are taking place (for the next year or two) all the other halls, plazas and suites are a bit more crowded. That’s what happens when you close a building for renovations…that building usually houses hundreds of students and so they have to be spread out among other dorms. So many, but not all, freshman get triples. My daughter was in one last year but it was in a plaza building (not a high rise) and those rooms are a bit bigger so it was ok. The plazas tend to be more quiet as you only share a bathroom with one other room. In De Neve Plaza buildings I believe all rooms have private baths. it would be extremely rare to find a college where you would get a private room. It is almost unheard of. People just make due and study in the library if they need to. Also most roommates will be considerate and they have to study too. I can’t imagine you not choosing to go to a college you like because there was a chance you might get a triple. You might not and it would only be for one year. My daughter moved off campus and now lives in an apt. with one of her roommates from last year. But they still share a bedroom as Westwood is expensive. </p>
<p>If you decide on UCLA, when you fill out the housing form stress that you want a quiet environment. Request a Plaza type room instead of a residential hall as they are much quieter. I wouldn’t let this one factor keep you from choosing UCLA. You have to make adjustments and learn to live with others when you go to college. Plus it’s a great way to meet people and make new friends…an important part of college life.</p>
<p>If you’re really concerned, just find yourself an apartment around campus. Despite people saying that Westwood apartments are “expensive”, it actually still comes out cheaper than living in the dorms. (Yes, even if you room by yourself.) It costs around $15,000 to live on campus. An $800/month studio in Westwood for 10 months comes to only $8,000.</p>
<p>I definitely understand your concerns. I put in a request for a single before starting my freshman year (how naive of me) and landed in a triple in a plaza. Yes, the room was slightly larger than a hall, but it really didn’t make the experience any easier to handle.
Even though all three of us tried to be nice and considerate people…the fact of the matter was we had very different lifestyle and study habits. </p>
<p>I was able to get a single starting my 2nd year all through my 4th year (I’m graduating).</p>
<p>I personally think you should just wait until you get your housing assignment. One of my suitemates is only a freshman and was able to get one. Worst comes to worst…if you don’t get it just cancel your housing and find an apartment in Westwood. Or…just experience dorm-roommate life for a year (I don’t regret it…imo it’s an essential college experience) and go for the singles afterwards (you have a much better chance of getting one with your sign-up time…also make friends with athletes or anyone else who has priority sign-ups).</p>
<p>UCLA is worth it in my opinion…don’t let housing stand in your way!</p>
<p>Finally I decided to goto UCLA. Although there is not gauranteed way of getting a single room, i still have some chance. Although if I don’t get a single or double room, I just decided to take on the challenge. As you all said, living with other people and making new firends is a essential part of a college experience. And I don’t want to miss it.
Once again Thank you all for your precious information.</p>
<p>Look at it this way - a triple doubles your chances of having a roommate you’ll get along with well.</p>
<p>If you go on the housing website, they have pictures of the dorm rooms. They also have it on video if you want to check it up on YouTube.</p>
<p>Meh. It seems bad at first (at least it did for me), but you get used to it. I’m a light sleeper and its actually not as big a deal as you would think. A triple can actually be a good thing because if one of your roommates sucks, then you can still have another one which you might end up being friends and hanging out with. You can also request a plaza. A triple in a plaza is actually pretty decent.</p>
<p>if you’re a light sleeper, definitely get ear plugs and a sleeping mask</p>