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<p>Good point…If I was concerned that my kid would underestimate the bitter coldness of a different part of the country, I might be very glad if it were miserable on visit day.</p>
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<p>Somehow, when we took the tours of USC and UCLA (separate days), it rained both times. The USC tour guide amusingly feigned ignorance on how to use an umbrella.</p>
<p>Going back 4 years, I toured the boarding school where goaliegirl is at on a 35 degree day with pouring rain on top of a foot of snow over a holiday break with nobody present but the admissions director and the hockey coach. Goaliegirl figured she had seen the worst it could be and could live with it.</p>
<p>And as we speak goaliegirl is finishing up an overnight at a college in NE. I flew my wife and MIL up there to pick her up from her boarding school and take her to the college. They are getting the tour/admissions session today and are freezing (we are southerners and I think the high temperature there today may make it to 35 (at least it isn’t raining). I think MIL is getting sick, unfortunately. I’m feeling bad about the whole situation because neither of them travel particularly well and I was the one who offered this trip to them (I’ve done almost all of the other boarding school/college travel with goaliegirl in the past).</p>
<p>Hopefully, grandma’s issues won’t affect goaligirl’s visit. Waiting to hear back, but won’t until tonight as where they are has terrible cellular coverage for our usually good network.</p>
<p>We toured Lewis & Clark last spring. I don’t think a tour of L&C would be a REAL tour without the “liquid sunshine” (and their trademark orange umbrellas). S2 did not mind the rain one bit; however, I would have enjoyed seeing the gorgeous vista of Mt. Hood. (“Trust me - it’s there”, said the tour guide)</p>
<p>On the other hand, one of our earlier tours at another college was completely ruined by a bee sting!</p>
<p>Years ago one of mine applied to St John’s (Annapolis). It was November and a cold hard rain. We took her down went to an information session and tour and left her overnight. Of course no smoking was allowed in the dorms so outside one dorm, in the cold and dark were masses of students. They were standing around under umbrellas in the rain, smoking and chatting about Socrates (or some such philosopher). This was a huge turn off for my daughter. The smoking not the rain.</p>
<p>Anyway - I think you should just go regardless of the weather. After all when they are there every day is not sunny and warm.</p>
<p>in the Northwest?
not likely-
tours in October through May are more likely to be sloppy wet or at least dank and grey, than sunny.
but the good part is- if they like it- then they probably will in Sept when it is beautiful.</p>
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<p>We have to travel pretty far to visit colleges, so even if there’s a hurricane, we ain’t canceling!</p>
<p>I think slightly bad weather may be worse than terrible weather on campus tours, at least for us. We toured Tulsa in an all-day, light drizzle, and it made the college and surrounding city seem drab and depressing. But then we toured our State U in a thunderstorm, ducking into buildings and under awnings whenever possible, and it made it more interesting somehow.</p>
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<p>Gosh, I would sure hope that both students and parents could look beyond the cloudy skies to see that a school is about more than the “view”. </p>
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<p>I guess you haven’t seen the thread that lists all the silly and insignificant reasons some kids have disliked a school. The weather is one of the more sound reasons.</p>
<p>So…I guess the rule of thumb is…</p>
<p>If it’s a school that child wants, but parent doesn’t, then …go on a crappy weather day.</p>
<p>If it’s a school that you both want, then …go on a good weather day.</p>
<p>If it’s a school that you’re certain your child will like “rain or shine,” then…it doesn’t matter.</p>
<p>It it’s a school that you want, but child isn’t sure about, then…pray for blue skies, fluffy white clouds, and a sign from God.</p>
<p>My kids said they don’t care if it rains as long as they have an umbrella, they figure most will be indoors and they can see if anything leaks…sounds like a “Bob Villa” in the making, I wouldn’t have thought of that. : )
I think hot and humid is worse than some light rain also…we had a very hot, humid day when we saw Wheaton and although it wasn’t a “fit” I know it seemed even worse with that humidity and parched lawns, etc.</p>
<p>Was supposed to visit Georgetown on Thursday but it was freezing and pouring all day long. Rescheduled for this coming tuesday.</p>