<p>Debilitatingly cold? -- or does so much happen indoors that it doesn't matter? -- or is it awful just getting to breakfast? Details appreciated. </p>
<p>Cold and sunny or cold and grey?</p>
<p>I don’t really know but my D, my H and I all recieved an email with a link to this blog post from an admissions counselor about the cold; I assumed they sent it to thier applicants from warm weather states (we are from CA). <a href=“A Southerner’s First Wisconsin Winter: Or How I Learned To Love (or Tolerate) the Polar Vortex – Admissions @ Lawrence”>http://blogs.lawrence.edu/admissions/2014/01/a-southerners-first-wisconsin-winter-or-how-i-learned-to-love-or-tolerate-the-polar-vortex.html</a></p>
<p>We got it also. Is the prospect of Wisconsin winters giving your D pause? We’re from NY, and it’s the only reason she hasn’t enrolled yet. There’s a big difference between cold and grey and dark vs. cold and sunny.</p>
<p>My D claims she wants cold weather as she really does not like our hot Inland CA summers, but I don’t think she really understands how cold it would be. Her most likely other options are in the Pacific Northwest where the weather will be warmer than WI but may have less sunny days … I would prefer cold and sunny over cool and cloudy personally and she wants snow. </p>
<p>We live in Michigan and I have a close friend who used to live in Wisconsin, Madison I think. She said it was a lot more sunny there than here and even though it was cold she felt happier. They are on the west side of the lake so they don’t get the lake effect storms. I’m wondering how much colder it has been there this year over other years because it has been so much colder here than usual! Also for students studying science I heard the students can go from one bldg. to another at Lawrence without going outside.</p>
<p>Being in Minnesota and constantly checking the weather, it’s still ‘warmer’ in Appleton than in Minnesota. Each winter is distinct. Two years ago when my kid was a freshman, we didn’t even really have winter. No snow in March. Nothing. That’s not normal. This year we are getting close to breaking the record for below-zero readings, and schools have closed five times in some districts. I’ll tell you, though, LU doesn’t close for the cold or snow, even when the public schools do in Appleton. My daughter mumbles, ‘It’s so cold they should close the school,’ but she survives. The campus is small enough so that the students can get from Point A to B. And yes, one needs to buy the winter gear to stay warm and safe. I guess it all comes down to whether a student wants to live with the cold/snow. It’s not for everyone. Some people can get depressed by it. Some people love it, even jogging in it and partaking in lots of other winter activities. Too bad you can’t fly out for a short trip for a taste of winter, especially THIS winter. Then you’d get a feel for whether you would like it. Can’t promise it is cold/sunny, either. I know several people who have those special sun lamps to help take away the winter blues. Living in the Midwest means the weather is always changing, including by the hour at times. Good luck with the decision-making! 
</p>
<p>And p.s. This winter quarter, it was pretty stormy around the U.S.A. the weekend before classes started, and the college was very accommodating with 1) students who couldn’t get back on time for the first day of classes due to cancelled flights, and 2) letting us store belongings in the dorm prior to official opening so we wouldn’t have to have everything ‘freeze’ due to frigid temps. People roll with the weather.</p>
<p>Ugh. Thanks! That sounds like a proper account. My kid’s other choice is in Florida 
</p>
<p>You are welcome, redpoint. Your college-bound student may love it, though! My D says some of the happiest people on campus are from Hawaii, believe it or not. It’s snowing again today, too… and more to come on Monday… but spring is in the air. We’re not -20 anymore. Now it’s +14. Florida is okay, but too humid for my D and me. Good luck again with the choice. It’s not easy to have two such very different climates to choose from. I see NY is getting its share of snow this winter, too. Emmasmum, if your D wants snow, this has been a good winter for it. One never knows about next winter, though.</p>
<p>I’m a born and bred Californian. Spent two years in grad school at Madison. Loved that there really is weather to talk about.not just the cold winter but exciting thunderstorms in the spring. And did I mention the clouds? Beautiful clouds. And Fall…the colors are amazing. It’s a great experience for we warm climate folk. Glad I experienced it before I rushed home to California.</p>