<p>So, you can choose which term you want to 'leave'; how hard is it to get your choice? Is it pretty much point and pick, or do you have to go through an extensive application process where someone gets first pick. ie, I would assume most would want to leave during summer(the obvious, normal choice, to go on a vacation or see friends from other colleges with normal terms) or the winter(to escape the cold lol). Does this cause problems, if everyone is trying to leave at the same time?? Do you ever get, well, rejected?
Sorry if that is a dumb question, I was just curious since I was reading about the whole housing-shortage thing being the impetus behind the D-plan.</p>
<p>Second, how would you compare the quarter system to the regular semester system. How much more intense is it? Or is it even noticeably more intense?</p>
<p>yeah i dont really understand the D-plan ... i read about it on the Dartmouth website and tried the planner thing but i still dont get it ... why do you have to stay over the summer of sophomore year?</p>
<p>The impetus behind the D-plan was coeducation.</p>
<p>From matriculation to graduation there are 15 terms. You need 12 to graduate thus you get three "off" typically that includes freshman and junior summer so that leaves one for you to choose. If you come in with three course credits, you will have another term you can take off, etc.</p>
<p>When I attended, you needed 11 terms (33 courses) to graduate, but the college only gave placement, not credit to incoming freshman for any previous work. Also the on-campus requirement was only freshman year plus any one summer. It has changed some since then. I took off 4 of my last 7 terms. (a summer, two falls, and a winter)</p>
<p>The way the D plan is set up now is that students are "on" all freshman year (f,w,s) all senior year (f,w,s) and sophomore summer. You can be "off" as early as fall of your sophomore year (with the exception of sophomore summer, you are off during the summer). During freshman year, students are asked for a tentative enrollment plan for the next year (what terms they plan to be on campus).</p>
<p>
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how hard is it to get your choice?
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<p>It depends on what it is that you are planning to do. If you are planning to do a study abroad in a specific program, it depends on your applying and getting chosen for the program. IF you are simply looking to do a leave term and be off campus, it is just a matter of chosing when you want to be off,</p>
<p>re: quarter vs. semester. Yeah, each D class is more intense, which is why a typical schedule is only three classes. In a typical quarter system, a student takes four classes most quarters.</p>
<p>Also, winter term is shorter than other quarters -- 9 weeks instead of the more typical 10, so the same material is compacted. OTOH, a 9 week qtr allows for a two week spring break!</p>
<p>Another item to think about is some courses are taught over two Dartmouth quarters where they might be taught over two semesters (all year) at a school like Cornell. But, of course, one takes more classes per term at Cornell than one takes at D.....</p>
<p>btw: EVERYone loves soph summer. If you are a prospie, visit this summer if you can.</p>
<p>oh i have a question about the quarter system...
Say, for grad school it says you need 'a year of calculus' does this mean 2 quarters at Dartmouth because it is more intense, or would you have to take all three terms (ie. all year) as you would at a school on a semester system?</p>