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How much of a deciding factor should weather be for my colleges?
I'm a high school junior so I started looking at colleges, of course; However, since I'm from and have lived in San Francisco for my whole life, I haven't actually experienced any weather that is below 40 or above 80 degrees F for 95% of the year. Because of this I'm curious as to how important weather is for picking a college, and for those who already are/have been at college, how important was the weather when you picked for you?
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Vianne’s Answer
Weather can be important, but it varies from person to person. For some, it's a big deal, especially if they struggle with long winters or hot climates. Seasonal depression, hobbies, and time spent outdoors can influence how weather affects your daily school life.
Many students adapt once they arrive. College life is busy, with lots of time spent in classes, studying, or socializing indoors. Some students from mild climates enjoy experiencing new seasons, while others prefer warmer or more stable weather.
Consider how much weather would impact your routine. If you love outdoor activities, climate might be more significant. However, if the school offers strong programs, good opportunities, and a campus you like, weather is usually just one part of the decision, not the main factor.
Many students adapt once they arrive. College life is busy, with lots of time spent in classes, studying, or socializing indoors. Some students from mild climates enjoy experiencing new seasons, while others prefer warmer or more stable weather.
Consider how much weather would impact your routine. If you love outdoor activities, climate might be more significant. However, if the school offers strong programs, good opportunities, and a campus you like, weather is usually just one part of the decision, not the main factor.
Karin P.
Lecturer, Academic Advisor, Career Coach, Mentor
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Karin’s Answer
Hi Naglis,
Good question! The answer depends on how curious/adventurous you are and how sensitive you are to weather conditions.
I think college is a good time to move away and experience things that are different from your hometown, meet new people and pick up some new hobbies. If you would e.g. like to ski, going to college in a colder climate would be a good opportunity.
If, on the other hand, you are very sensitive to cold temperatures or can't tolerate humidity or must have an ocean etc, you might be better off to pick a climate that suits you. Also consider the amount of rainy/cloudy/grey days you can tolerate without getting depressed.
I hope this helps! All the best to you!
KP
Good question! The answer depends on how curious/adventurous you are and how sensitive you are to weather conditions.
I think college is a good time to move away and experience things that are different from your hometown, meet new people and pick up some new hobbies. If you would e.g. like to ski, going to college in a colder climate would be a good opportunity.
If, on the other hand, you are very sensitive to cold temperatures or can't tolerate humidity or must have an ocean etc, you might be better off to pick a climate that suits you. Also consider the amount of rainy/cloudy/grey days you can tolerate without getting depressed.
I hope this helps! All the best to you!
KP
Updated
Yolanda’s Answer
Try visiting colleges in states with cooler weather on weekends. Also, consider staying with a friend or relative in those areas to see what the weather is like. Experiencing it firsthand will help you decide if you can handle the cooler climate. I hope this helps!
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Erin’s Answer
When choosing a college, it can help to start by listing the factors that matter most to you such as available majors, campus size, distance from home, class sizes, and extracurricular opportunities. Once you’ve identified your priorities, you can consider where weather fits among them. For example, if climate is more important to you than campus activities or location, that can help narrow your options.
If you decide that weather isn’t a top priority but end up choosing a school with a climate very different from what you’re used to, you don’t have to navigate that adjustment alone. Many students come from similar backgrounds, and talking with current students can give you practical tips on how to prepare and adapt. With the right mindset and support, adjusting to a new climate can become part of a valuable and memorable college experience.
If you decide that weather isn’t a top priority but end up choosing a school with a climate very different from what you’re used to, you don’t have to navigate that adjustment alone. Many students come from similar backgrounds, and talking with current students can give you practical tips on how to prepare and adapt. With the right mindset and support, adjusting to a new climate can become part of a valuable and memorable college experience.
Updated
Magan’s Answer
That's a great question! If you're not used to really cold temperatures, you might not enjoy a school in a chilly area, especially if there's a lot of snow. Also, if you're accustomed to sunny weather, a school with many rainy, cloudy days might feel a bit gloomy. I recommend visiting the school during winter to get a feel for the colder weather, so you know what to expect.
Updated
Matt’s Answer
As others have said, weather is highly subjective, but coming from San Francisco, it may be a much bigger factor for you than it might be for others. Living in a 40° to 80°F bubble your whole life means your body (and wardrobe!) could face a real adjustment period.
Here are two ways to navigate this:
1) Test-drive the weather (with students around): Definitely visit colleges on your list during their "extreme" seasons, but try to go when school is actually in session so you can see how it affects campus life. Visit a Northeast or Midwest school in January/February to see what a real winter feels like, or a Southern school in late August/September to experience true humidity. Ask yourself: Do I want to walk 15 minutes across campus to a midterm in this?
2) Create a Decision Matrix: To keep things in perspective, build a simple spreadsheet of your college list. Score each school from 1–10 on categories like Academic Programs, Social Life, Campus Culture, Surrounding Town, and Weather/Climate. You can even "weight" these categories based on your priorities.
If a school checks every single academic and social box, you can learn to adjust by purchasing a heavy winter parka. But if you get seasonal affective disorder from lack of sunlight, that "Weather" column should carry a heavier weight in your decision.
Hope this helps! Best of luck with your search!
Here are two ways to navigate this:
1) Test-drive the weather (with students around): Definitely visit colleges on your list during their "extreme" seasons, but try to go when school is actually in session so you can see how it affects campus life. Visit a Northeast or Midwest school in January/February to see what a real winter feels like, or a Southern school in late August/September to experience true humidity. Ask yourself: Do I want to walk 15 minutes across campus to a midterm in this?
2) Create a Decision Matrix: To keep things in perspective, build a simple spreadsheet of your college list. Score each school from 1–10 on categories like Academic Programs, Social Life, Campus Culture, Surrounding Town, and Weather/Climate. You can even "weight" these categories based on your priorities.
If a school checks every single academic and social box, you can learn to adjust by purchasing a heavy winter parka. But if you get seasonal affective disorder from lack of sunlight, that "Weather" column should carry a heavier weight in your decision.
Hope this helps! Best of luck with your search!