<p>I don't get the fear of Chicago weather. I don't think it's all that appreciably different from New England weather, and I don't see people applying to Harvard, Yale, or Dartmouth who are saying, "OMG, is it too cold for me, whatever will I do?" Anyway, Minnesota's colder, but I don't see people on Carleton or Macalester forums fearing the cold. For anyone who's grown up in, say, New England or the mid-Atlantic, it's not all that different, and for anyone who's grown up in the South or in SoCal, they'll have the same adjustment issue with ANY college in the Northeast or Midwest.</p>
<p>Pizzagirl, I totally agree with you. I'm from N.E. and I'm in Cleveland (another city that gets ravaged by lake effect) and I don't think it's that bad. With that said, I think the main thing is that there is an unpredictability from the lake effect. Some days it starts cloudy and cold, breaks out to sun, then become snowy or rainy. That's just crazy. Well it's annoying to have to dress in layers...take off layers...then put them back on. </p>
<p>I was in Chicago last month (mind you, it was after all that snow) and it wasn't that bad.</p>
<p>ITA...the weather is crazy, but not brutal. I remember coming back from winter break this year to FIFTY DEGREE weather (I'm from NY) and being like ???...and then three days later, in the teens.</p>
<p>chicago has a generally undeserved rep amongst northeasterners for being ridiculously cold, being from nyc, its nothing so different</p>
<p>To be fair, for about a week or two in January its WAY worse at NU than it ever gets where I'm from. Otherwise, its about the same (NY area).</p>
<p>We are from sunny california. DD actually loves the seasons. She said the key was having the right winter clothing. We have a Northface outlet nearby, and went shopping in August during their annual sale. She bought a long down coat, a short down jacket/ski parka, a wind breaker to wear under her coat or alone. She bought an additional wool short peacoat in Evanston for the Fall. She bought rainboots in Chicago, and afterski waterproof boots she received during Christmas-NO UGGs. An alum from NU emphasized no Uggs as they were not waterproof, and toes would get wet & cold. She also bought leather ski gloves & mittens(actually helpt keep her fingers warmer), and wool & knotted caps, and knitted scarves. I hope this helps-APOL-a mom</p>
<p>Thank you, that was very helpful.</p>
<p>But wait a minute, why two kinds of boots? I'm still grappling with the idea of needing boots at all :-/</p>
<p>As long as you've got your alcohol jacket on, the cold can't touch you.</p>
<p>I'm guessing one of the boots is waterproof and actually warm, while the other is just water proof?</p>
<p>You know, I've lived in Illinois all my life and never owned a pair of boots?</p>
<p>Perhaps I should invest in some, now that I'll be walking a lot more. xD;</p>
<p>Chicago is actually relatively warm. You just need a hoodie and you'll be plenty warm during the winter.]]</p>
<p>Saboteur!</p>
<p>Haha. I read that to my mom who is from the midwest, and she scoffed.</p>
<p>Yeah. That's a load. If you're like me, and haven't really spent a lot of time travelling in colder climates, you will experience cold like you never imagined. You'll have plenty of time once you get here, however, to buy the appropriate clothes. Definitely bring a couple sweaters and something waterproof when you come out here for the rain and any drastic changes in weather. Seriously, though, just ask someone from CA or hawaii or something to take you shopping. Or make it a group trip with other kids in your building from warmer climates. Evanston's local stores aren't the greatest for shopping--they're pretty overpriced, but there are plenty of places to find practical deals in Chicago (and they're plenty accessible).</p>