<p>My daughter has applied to RPI and is currently awaiting a decision in March (not even worried about acceptance). One of her main concerns is the weather and just how cold and overcast can it truly be in Troy? We have visited the campus this past April and this past September. The September visit was beautiful, the April visit was greening up but still a bit chilly. As she is a southern girl from the Carolinas, this could and would likely be a very big change for her. Any thoughts?</p>
<p>I lived in upstate NY for a few years (coming from WA State), living in Albany which is close by.</p>
<p>Winters are real in this region. It will snow, it will be cold, and the roads will ice up enough to be tricky at least once a winter. Head to toe winter gear is a must for any appreciable time spent outdoors.</p>
<p>That all said, there are some advantages to this. Hiking in the Adirondacks in the fall is just a wonderful treat and a feast for the eyes. If winter sports are an attraction, cross country skiing can be a fun activity. When it's not bitterly cold, it's actually fun to walk around outside in the crisp weather, properly clothed. </p>
<p>Also, the region is a 2-3 hours bus or train ride to Boston or NYC, respectively, and those are two fun cities to go explore on a weekend.</p>
<p>As for overcast, I guess you just get over it. I had no problems whatsoever with this, coming from the great Pacific Northwet.</p>
<p>Agree with FindAPlace. I live in the Northeast and we're getting our third ice/snow storm of the past 30-45 days or so right now. The cool thing about going to college in the NE is that students can enjoy the four seasons during the school year, yes, even in Troy. It's hot when school starts, then the leaves start to blaze colors in October. That leads to winter (snow, ice, wind, etc.), which gives way to the showers and blossoms of spring. Then, usually before the school year ends, it's summer-like again. Great, huh?</p>
<p>I live in a small town about 30 minutes away from RPI. Winter here is pretty intense but you get used to it. Today we're expecting 7-10 inches of snow and this is after two pretty big snowstorms in the last week. It's alright though because I spend most of the time indoors and when I do go outside I go outside to play in the snow or go snowboarding (snowboarding, x-c skiing, and other winter sports are amazingly fun, IMO). It would definately be a huge change, but I don't think its going to effect you that much. I visited RPI a couple of weeks ago and they seemed to do a pretty good job plowing and shoveling. Just don't expect to take any leisurely strolls outside come mid-January</p>
<p>The above posts pretty much sum it up. I have lived in upstate NY for a while before coming to RPI so I was used to it, but I know people that have just moved from Florida and southern California and they are managing the weather just fine. It is important to have winter clothing ready so you do not get caught unprepared if it gets colder earlier. RPI overall does a good job at clearing the paths so students can get to/from classes, and therefore rarely closes down. The freshman dorms are also close to dining halls, so in the morning it is quick and easy to get food without freezing on the way there.</p>
<p>Embrace Winter!!! But take steps to ameliorate Seasonal Disaffective Disorder.
Great School! However the phrase "frozen slice of Norse afterlife for cowards" comes to mind for upstate NY.
Seriously, you really, really need to dress for the weather. Do not think you know how. You have to learn.
I nearly froze critical parts of my anatomy back in the late '60s in the somewhat milder weather in Cambridge Mass.</p>
<p>Thank y'all for your input.</p>