<p>I posted this under "Carleton," but thought I'd try posting here as well.
I have heard mixed reviews from Carleton students about Carleton's trimester system. Rave reviews about the school, mind you, but not about the trimester system. Although students seem to enjoy focusing on 1 less course per trimester, some say that the pace of each course can be brutal and the longer classes at times tedious; they also report that it's very difficult to catch up if you miss a few days whether out sick or whatever. I'd appreciate hearing thoughts about the trimester system (including pros and cons) from Carleton parents. Thanks.</p>
<p>Carleton's trimester program is essentially a quarter system, but packaged differently, i.e., with a long winter break. Many colleges have quarter systems, such as Dartmouth, Chicago and most of the UC's. Berkeley was on a quarter system back in the dark ages, but went to semesters for some of the reasons you mention. </p>
<p>Note, however, that the pace of many courses is no different under a quarter or semester system. For example, Frosh Chem is a full-year class, so it makes no difference if its broken up into three 'quarters' or two semesters -- it's still 30 weeks of the exact same material. Ditto for other science/math courses, or even Frosh English.</p>
<p>My daughter is strongly considering Carleton. Her high school is on a block scheduling system, so I don't think the transition would be too much of a leap.</p>
<p>My son goes to Stanford, which is on the quarter system. One advantage of this system is that it is possible to study abroad or at similar off-campus programs for one third of a year, rather than half a year. This makes it easier for students with demanding majors such as science or engineering to fit such opportunities into their college schedules</p>
<p>My d loved Carleton, but decided not to attend for several reasons (including the FA package). One of the things that concerned us was the timing of the breaks in relation to home work possibilities. Texas starts schools in mid August, and finishes in late May. When DD saw when the breaks would come, she realized that she would return home too late to pick up any summer jobs, and the long winter break would be at a time when her home friends would still be off at college. (Now I know that not all kids come home to work summers - but the placing of the breaks and the summer employment situation were things that DD factored in.)</p>
<p>My son who is a Stanford student is doing an internship this summer. The company he will be working for has a formal internship training program which starts on a certain date in June. Since he likely won't be done with exams until after the starting date, he will have to miss the beginning of the training and will have no break whatsoever between exams and starting the internship. However, he will have a long break at the end of the summer.er, as the internship ends in August and Stanford classes begin in mid-Septemb</p>
<p>One of my son's good friends is in his last quarter at Carleton (math major). He has really enjoyed getting jobs over the long Thanksgiving->Christmas break, and then summer internships through Carleton. I have been very impressed with how well Carleton works with students to ensure their success. To me, its biggest drawback appears to be the location. Minnesota is COLD.</p>
<p>I must disagree with bluebayou's assessment that it's basically a quarter system. When at parent's weekend in October, I finally had this issue clarified by the Dean of Students, as it had been bugging me too after studying the course descriptions and syllabi. According to the dean, a semester's worth of material is covered in a 10 week trimester (thus the limit to 3 courses). In my D's case, she took Calc III her first trimester, which was the equivalent of the 5th quarter of the calculus sequence at the Univ of Washington. She will take 2 trimesters of O-Chem next year, the equivalent of the usual 2 semester schedule. The language requirement of 4 trimesters covers the same material as contained in 4 semesters.</p>
<p>D finds the pace rigorous and manageable.</p>
<p>We were also intrigued by the trimester v quarters. Two schools my son is considering have 3 "quarters" and then Carleton has the trimester. He liked the ability to take more classes on the quarter and trimester systems.</p>
<p>My S is at Northwestern which is on the quarter system although most students do not take classes during the summer quarter. Students take four courses each quarter. My son is an above average student but has not found the pace or workload too difficult. As a freshman, college started the third week in Sept; it was hard for him watching his friends leave for college in August that first year. His vacations usually are timed differently than those of his friends. Finding a summer internship in NYC last year was difficult. Places he contacted or visited in March suggested he call when he arrived there after classes ended. Since that was mid June, most internships were already filled. It was very frustrating. He finally found something through a family friend and was able to work later until September, later than most other students. He will be at the same place this summer.</p>
<p>The nice thing about the long break in the middle is that my son would be able to just make one trip for Thanksgiving and Winter break. I would agree that the summer job situation would be frustrating though.</p>