<ol>
<li>How long does winter last?</li>
<li>Will I get to wear a dress and heels at some point this year?</li>
<li>If so, when, and how long?</li>
</ol>
<p>These are the pressing question that will define the next four years of my life.</p>
<ol>
<li>Yes.</li>
<li>Yes.</li>
<li>Anytime you want, though you may want to wear boots to the places and keep the heels in your bag, and wear a long coat over the dress.</li>
</ol>
<p>For what it’s worth, our freshman D was advised to bring LOTS of formal and semi-formal dresses this year as there are apparently many dressy parties and events throughout the year.</p>
<p>Thanks for the feedback; this sounds promising.</p>
<p>Not sure about the formal and semi-formal wear that MomCares daughter was told to bring, my daughter had one semi-formal Freshman year and hasn’t since but maybe if you’re more involved with fraternities and sororities. She does wear dresses a lot though, regardless of the weather. But what arbiter said is quite true; many girls wear “practical” shoes to parties and then change. Just be sure to take switch back for the way home even if you’re getting a ride, my daughter lost more shoes that way!</p>
<p>@amtc - I don’t know what the events are either, but I did hear at least 3 people tell her to bring several nicer dresses. They said they had been surprised by the number of formal/ semi-formal events on and around campus… though I have no idea which events. D isn’t in a sorority but she is someone who likes to dress up, so I’m guessing that given a decent excuse she’ll wear them. Either that, or they’ll at least be something to fill up her HUGE (not) dorm room! ;-D</p>
<ol>
<li>I brought 5 dresses with me and it was worth it…I wore a dress practically every night during welcome week since there are frat parties held off campus during Freshman Freeze.</li>
</ol>
<p>And the weather has been kind to us…my northwestern hoodie is still sufficient.</p>
<p>averby, don’t be fooled by the indian summer. Autumn hasn’t truly come to Evanston yet… Give it 2 more weeks.</p>
<p>Indian summer? All the older PhD students in my program said Fall’s come a full month earlier than it did last year haha</p>
<p>Considering the floods, hurricanes, earthquakes, droughts and month-long 100-degree heat waves that hit much of the country this year, the Chicago area’s occasional winter snowstorm looks mighty appealing in comparison.</p>
<p>Some of the residential colleges, such as Shepard and Willard, have a formal party to which girls wear their old Homecoming or other short dressy-dresses (or a dress loaned to them by a friend). Frats and sororities typically have several formal events a year, and girls who are not in sororities may get invited to a frat party, while guys not in a frat may get invited to a sorority party. Guys wear suit & tie. Guys are sometimes invited to the fall frat party by a frat “rushing” them. And of course Greek members go.</p>
<p>All these parties are usually held at hotels in downtown Chicago, with everyone traveling on buses arranged by the party sponsor (frat, et.). The sponsor pays for everything. Frat parties typically serve just appetizers and an open bar for those over 21 (with wrist bands) and sororities usually put their money into a formal dinner, with a cash bar for over 21. My son always has had a great time at these parties, whether he went with “just a friend” or GF.</p>
<p>One correction: There is usually a ticket price. Catered events with budgets of >$12,000 don’t pay for themselves.</p>
<p>I guess my son has lucked out with all freebie parties!</p>
<p>Fall is different for Freshmen.</p>
<p>I lived in Chicago three different times.</p>
<p>The winter literally lasts until late April.</p>
<p>Definitely early April. I remember going to Wrigley Field on opening day which is about April 1 in a winter parka and a ski cap.</p>
<p>It will often be about zero degrees, and stay that way for days and days.</p>
<p>Given that Chicago is what, the third largest city in the country, I think? … obviously millions of people are able to handle it without a problem. Like any other cold weather city such as Boston or NY, you can wear a dress / heels whenever you want … And even if it’s snow on the ground, you could wear boots and just change into heels whenever you’re outdoors. This would be problematic if you were talking some frozen tundra that no one ever lives in, but it’s a major city - this just isn’t a big deal.</p>
<p>Yeah, don’t love the winter. But I agree with Pizzagirl. Hundreds of great indoor places in Chicago to keep you warm if you’re prone to frostbite.</p>
<p>MidWestMom - Wow - that is a Northwestern I have never heard about, seriously! My daughter’s a junior and really has nothing to do with the Greek system so other than the one from her RC dorm first term Freshman year, she’s never been to a party as you describe. Of course, our town doesn’t have Homecoming dances or King and Queen or anything like that so that whole concept is missing from her mindset.</p>
<p>This is a good thought for those who are worried that NU is too Greek and if you don’t join a Fraternity or Sorority you have no social life as that is definitely not my daughter’s problem!</p>