<p>Smith is now close to the top of my college list, but I still have a few questions. First off, I'm a Florida girl so I've never even seen snow before, how cold is it all the way up north? This is my main concern because the coldest it's ever gotten here was about 30 degrees and that was in the very early morning. Usually the people at my school bundle up like Eskimos when it drops below 50 (myself included), I'm not sure how I'd handle the cold.</p>
<p>Also I've been roaming this forum for the past week and everyone seems to complain about the financial aid for around the middle class. My question is, how much financial aid do they provide to poor families? (my mom- custodial parent- makes less than $3 thousand a year and my dad- noncustodial- makes about $40 thousand and may be losing his job soon). We can't really afford Smith unless they give us a mass of financial aid. </p>
<p>My last question is, does anyone know what the marine science certificate program is like with the Five College Consortium? I checked the website and it sounds really good, but does anyone have any friends in it or actual insight on what the program is really like?</p>
<p>I'm another prospective student, so I can't tell you too much about Smith. Buuut, I do live about two hours north, so I'm pretty familiar with the weather. I wouldn't say that it's really that cold, but then, I've lived here my entire life. :] The trick to it is dressing properly--i.e. layering. And even then, it's really not a big deal unless you're spending a lot of time outside. Just make sure you have mittens, a hat, etc., and I'm pretty sure you'll be set. Then again, you may want an actual student to give you their input as well. :]</p>
<p>Generally speaking, it's warm in late April - end of September (high 60s to 90s, depending), cold from November to March (low 40s and lower), and somewhere in the middle the rest of the year. Like weather everywhere, this is subject to change. You wouldn't need a winter coat when you got to Smith, but you'd probably want to think about one by Fall break. Layering is helpful, especially for the days when it's cold in the morning and quite warm by lunchtime. If you decide to take an astronomy class, you might want to bring long underwear and multiple pairs of hats and gloves (but for walking between classes you won't need to wear quite as much).</p>
<p>I do recommend at least one pair of long underwear, though. You never know when you'll want to spend some time outside for Celebration, Float Night, or playing in the snow and the extra layer will keep your legs much warmer. It's generally easier to layer the top half of the body than it is the legs.</p>
<p>And sometimes it'll be so warm in November that you'll lose the jacket, skip the homework and walk to Herrell's for ice cream.</p>
<p>What you'll find in New England that will probably be much different from Florida is that the weather here is not at all consistent. One week this December it was in the 60s, the next week it was snowing. </p>
<p>But it's not as cold in the Pioneer Valley as it is in other parts of New England. We rarely get temperatures close to 0, most winter days it seems to hover in the 20-39 range, depending on the weather conditions. Because we're sheltered by the hills, we often miss out on the really cold spells that hit Boston, New York, and Maine. </p>
<p>Take heart in knowing that you're not the first Floridian to survive out here. And people from even warmer climates in Africa, Asia, and India seem to do well. You need coats that can serve in a range of weather, one for fall, one for early winter, one for January-February, and probably one for spring. Also one for rain. But you can double up on some of those. Buy a waterproof coat with a down liner that can be zipped out and a wool jacket and you can survive most things.</p>
<p>I noticed you asked about aid as well as weather: Smith is pretty committed to admitting and aiding students from a wide-range of economic circumstances. They meet 100% of a students demonstrated need, but that's need as they determine it by their institutional formula. And they calculate both the income of the custodial and non-custodial parent into the equation. However, aid is re-calculated every year, so if your circumstances change (for good or bad) it will reflect that. Also if your dad does lose his job after your financial aid package for this spring is decided you can probably make a pretty good case for why you need your aid re-calculated. </p>
<p>Basically it's not worth worrying about your aid right now since you can't really predict what it will be. Just apply, apply for aid, and see what comes. Since cost is a big factor, make sure you're applying to a range of schools, both the expensive and the more affordable.</p>
<p>My daughter just got in ED and our aid package seemed well matched to our needs. If you go on the College Board site there is a pretty good aid calculator that would let you know what your determined need is.</p>
<p>I'm from a similar financial situation, Shark, and Smith has given me a generous aid package that includes grants and federal loans. If money is the only thing standing in the way of your acceptance, it doesn't hurt also to contact the college and emphasize your desire to come. They may be able to increase your aid. I don't know the usefulness of that advice now that the endowment has taken a loss, but President Christ has publicly committed to preserving the financial aid budget, so you may as well give it a shot.</p>
<p>I am also from Florida, the very, very tip, on an island in the Gulf... basically you can't get any warmer(icluding 190%humidity) in the states. I also freeze in 70 degree weather and am VERY concerned about the cold b/c all the school's I applied to are in the NE area. Does anyone who made the same sort of transition have any suggestions on how to cope?</p>
<p>Invest in a good pair of warm boots and I don't mean Uggs. Many people underestimate the importance of foot-warmth in overall well being in cold weather, especially if you're from a part of the country where you're used to wearing open-toed or light fabric shoes. I recommend Merrell boots or something similar. They aren't cheap, but you will get a lot of wear out of them because they are good quality and you will need them a lot. They don't need to be fleece-lined, but they should be waterproof and made out of some kind of insulated material (hence why uggs, which are not waterproof and will make your feet sweat, are undesirable.)</p>
<p>Also, Smart Wooll socks or one of the cheaper copy-cat brands. </p>
<p>Think thin and warm. Synthetic fabrics like polypro or polar fleece are the best. You don't want to look like a yeti all winter, you just want to regulate your temperature well.</p>
<p>DevilishSkater, my D used to huddle over like Napoleon retreating from Moscow any time the temperature dropped below 68. I was happy she was going to Smith but mentioned the weather. "I'll adapt," she snapped tartly. And to my amusement, adapt she did, calling home during one of the first snow storms, which she called "Dickensian," as she watched from a window seat in her house. Though by senior year the romance had worn off.</p>