<p>D is from south and VERY concerned about the stories she's heard about winters in Evanston. She's even deliberating whether or not to attend. Having gone from a warm climate to Chicago, do any of you wish you would have selected some other school based solely on the weather at NU?</p>
<p>…it’s just weather.</p>
<p>I’m from Tennessee, and I haven’t even visited NU yet, but still. You won’t freeze to death if you have a coat and whatnot. Yes, weather is a minus at many schools up north but it’s just one of many factors you can consider.</p>
<p>My son (on the few cold days this year) after breakfast he got a hot chocolate (not a coffee drinker) and walked to his morning class.</p>
<p>There is also a Frostbite Shuttle on the extremely cold days. Frostbite Express Shuttle - This shuttle operates during the academic year on days with a single-digit temperature or a windchill factor below zero</p>
<p>[Frostbite</a> Express Shuttle: University Services](<a href=“Campus Shuttle Routes: Transportation & Parking - Northwestern University”>Campus Shuttle Routes: Transportation & Parking - Northwestern University) </p>
<p>.</p>
<p>You learn to survive it.</p>
<p>I was used to 120 degree weather. Heck, I hadn’t ever even seen real snow.
But I adjusted. And so did many others like me. So tell her not to worry about the weather :)</p>
<p>haha, yeah, it’s just weather. sure, it’s cold, but lots of people still live in Chicago/surrounding areas and survive 
</p>
<p>just make sure she bundles up. plus, classes are indoors, not outdoors :)</p>
<p>Evanston isn’t North Pole. There are many places with colder climate yet they are still ranked quite high in quality of life (Scandinavian countries, Canada…) and it’s only one quarter.</p>
<p>I’m not from the South or the West, but I know lots of students who are. I don’t think I’ve ever heard any of them say they regret coming here because of the weather (or for any other reason, for that matter). And if you bundle up right, you’ll hardly feel the cold. You may not look fashionable, but you won’t be cold. 
Just make sure she has some warm sweaters, snow boots, a good scarf, good gloves, and a really good (preferably long) coat that won’t be easily penetrated by the wind, and she’ll be good to go.</p>
<p>Of course, everyone is different, and if she really, honestly, cannot stand cold or snow AT ALL, that might be something to consider. However, as Sam Lee pointed out, it IS only for one quarter. If she hates it, at least she won’t have to put up with it for long (and it helps that Winter Break takes a big chunk out of the cold/snowy season).</p>
<p>I hope this helped!</p>
<p>The funny thing about Chicago is that you EXPECT it to be cold. So you bundle up like crazy and it’s fine, you’re warm, 3 degrees outside? Whatever. Also, the campus is fairly small, which is nice.</p>
<p>You live in a warm state and you try to wear sweatshirts all year long in said warm state, sometimes you’re going to feel the chill and be annoyed at the 40 degree weather.</p>
<p>Soo, it really depends on your attitude. Expect and dress for the worst, and you will be fine, I imagine.</p>
<p>Though, some people have seasonal affective disorder, and all of that, so if winter is particularly horrific for one, it’s probably not the best choice.</p>
<p>When I was applying to schools, I gave a “point” in favor of warm weather, but didn’t deduct any for cold ;).</p>
<p>Thanks to everyone for the input. When she heard about the “Frostbite Express” that runs when temps get into the single digits/below 0 windchill, and the expsure email warnings the school sends to students, she had a look of sheer terror. NU is everything she wants in a school, but for those from warm climates, the weather is a drawback. When she asks her friends what they think about NU, invariably, one of their first comments is, “Oh! It’s SO cold!!! It’s absolutely bitter!”</p>
<p>Well, the past winter was unusually cold. But the chance of getting another one like that in the next 4 years is pretty slim. The winter break means your D would miss Dec and she just has to deal with Jan/Feb. March is usually not bad. 
I came from Hong Kong by the way.</p>
<p>I live in the south. Grew up on the great lakes and went to college in the midwest including Northwestern (though I went in the summer and it was hot). It IS COLD along the lake. I am very affected by weather -a little Seasonaly Affected Disorder-so although I survived all my years up north, if I had a choice of an equally comparable school down south, I would choose it. However, if she is a theatre, communications or journalism major, it is hard to beat Northwestern. Anyone can adjust to the weather, just depends on if it depresses her or not.</p>
<p>DD attends NU, from California. She says she likes the different seasons, and that with proper clothing not a big issue for her. She stayed during the summer last year, too. So, she has “seen” it all!</p>
<p>I’m a current student and I grew up in Michigan, so maybe I’ve been tainted from birth. But honestly, Northwestern’s weather isn’t that bad. My older brother, for instance, did his undergrad at Michigan Tech, a place where the snow doesn’t stop for the whole month of February and they build three-story tall ice sculptures.</p>
<p>Northwestern and Chicago are nothing like that. Really. If it was, Chicago wouldn’t have 3 million people. Winter is about smart habits, and being habits, you get used to them pretty quick.</p>
<p>You’ll need to buy a good coat, a [url=<a href=“http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tuque]tuque[/url”>Knit cap - Wikipedia]tuque[/url</a>], gloves (nothing too fancy), and maybe a scarf. But don’t worry, Arctic survival gear is not necessary. If you’re especially worried or you plan on doing lots of outdoor winter activities, buy some long underwear. That’s about it.</p>
<p>You don’t even need boots, really, because they’re pretty good about clearing the sidewalks every morning. But some people prefer them/find them fashionable. Putting on your winter clothes takes about 30 seconds longer than putting on a raincoat, so it’s really not a huge inconvenience.</p>
<p>Don’t go by the lake, because the cool, soothing breezes of September or June have a little more bite in February. But make sure you spend some time by windows that look out on the lake, because a partially-frozen Lake Michigan is a really cool sight. Never mind the first real snowfall, with all the little white flakes glittering as they come down. It’s a gorgeous season.</p>
<p>Then, when spring arrives, everything comes to life, and you get this amazing feeling of being refreshed. And guess what? You made it! I’ve done three Northwestern winters and 21 winters north of the Mason-Dixon line, and I’ve met a lot of people who have come from warmer climates. No one I know has regretted it because of the weather.</p>
<p>And when your daughter sends her friends some photos of the beautiful fall colors, they’ll be jealous that they didn’t go somewhere with actual seasons.</p>