<p>As I begin to look at colleges, a lot of my reaches, and even some of my more "match" schools are situated on the East Coast. I am from a very hot place (think So-Cal hot), and I was wondering if weather should be a large factor in my decision making process. I think I can handle many temperatures, with the proper clothing, and I have experience with the cold, so it isn't as though I am a total alien to weather change, but still, this concerns me. Does anyone have an opinion, perhaps from a similar experience? I just don't want myself being stuck somewhere where I love the teachers, but hate the environment. I want to be comfortable, especially going a long ways from home. Thank you for any help!</p>
<p>I think you should definitely visit some of the east coast colleges (especially during the winter) and see how you cope with the weather situation. I would say if you really are uncomfortable with the environment, don’t go to the school b/c it may too much of an adjustment all at once. However, if you feel like you like the atmosphere and can deal with the weather, then you might consider going there. As an east coast person, I can say that you’ll probably be okay as long as you avoid upstate NY, New Hampshire, etc.</p>
<p>I think whether should be a factor, but not a particularly big or meaningful one. I think weather becomes a little bit more of a factor if you’re looking for schools in a cold, rural area. As a Texan, I know that I wouldn’t want to go to Cornell because of the extreme climate change and rural setting. The environment would be too much of a shock for me. For some reason, whenever I think about the environment of Cornell, I always think of the hotel from the Shining. Kind of a mixture of isolation and incompatible weather.</p>
<p>It sounds like you don’t have to worry too much, since you have experience. I’d only worry if you really hate the cold like I do. My daughter is from CA and went to HS in SoCal. She went to Providence RI for school. The years she was there the winter’s were on the mild side, but sure they had snow. She was very comfortable there. Now she is in Madison WI, much colder, and survived her first winter without much complaint. She was really glad when it warmed up enough to get back on her bicycle, though.</p>
<p>That’s what I thought, thanks for all the responses everyone! Yeah, I am a long distance runner, and I am accustomed to jogging through all sorts of storms, and cold winter winds. I was just wondering if anyone really had any problems, as I am trying to determine which schools look like they will land on my final list. I will, of course, investigate each weather situation separately to determine my standing, but I think I can adjust fairly well. (Anyways, there are always breaks, where I can go back home!)</p>