California Kid at Univ of Minnesota

<p>My son was accepted into the Carlson school and into the honors program. We're from southern California, but got a scholarship that pays the difference between in-state and out-of-state tuition, plus another scholarship for 5k/year. Despite all these positives, he is still having a hard time deciding on Minnesota because of the drastic difference in the weather compared to southern California. Can anyone out there give us some reasons why it would be a good idea to go to U of M? Does anyone know of any kids from warmer weather climates who came to U of M, and what their experiences were? Thanks!</p>

<p>Minnesota is white-dominated but it is still a very liberal place. It has several top ranked programs and along with engineering school, Carlson is one of the most well-renowned program in the region.</p>

<p>It is not all THAT cold, and after a couple months, his blood will thicken up. I'd say since you pegged him as "California Kid", the number one reason to pick UM is to broaden his horizons...
Plus, there is no such thing as bad weather, only bad clothing. :)</p>

<p>Why did he apply to UM? Carlson School, Honors AND scholarship, those surely trump a couple of cold months each year.</p>

<p>The weather is unbearably cold in the winter and it's nearly impossible to drive on the roads when it's snowing badly out, but since its college it hardly matters at all since most of the time during the winter is spent either indoors or doing outdoor activities such as skiing snowboarding or ice fishing. When you arrive here buy a lot of jackets gloves boots etc. You don't really need huge winter jackets or anything, a lot of people get by with north face jackets and sweatshirts all year long even in -10 weather. I'm also doing carlson honors starting next year and I can attest to the fact that every major financial firm here knows the name. The thing is though, only about 1-2% of the students go on to work in either the west or east coast, so if the plan is have him receive an education and return to california for work, make sure he has solid connections because ocean coast companies don't hire here.</p>

<p>by the way believersmom, I've seen you post here quite a bit asking for accepted stats. where is your kid going next year?</p>

<p>Banker88-
She is a JR in HS right now, so she is going to her HS :)
Right now she is getting ready to apply. She is trying to narrow her applications and I am trying to help by gathering info for her.</p>

<p>She likes U-MN and we visited during the Arts Quarter Open house in the fall (she is looking to be an Studio Art Major). But she also likes my alma mater, Miami(Ohio), along with about 20 other schools!!! :o)</p>

<p>I'll let everyone know when I know, which hopefully will be less than a year from now.</p>

<p>There are tunnels connecting virtually all buildings on campus.</p>