Chemical Engineering Summer Labs

<p>Question for any chemical engineering students, graduates, or chemical engineers. Did any of you have a required summer lab course in your curriculum? My school has a 5 week course which meets 6 days a week for 8 hours daily (not including the several hours required after class not officially on the registration). It starts on a saturday which is the day after finals end. I know of a few other schools that do something similar I just want a bigger picture.
I do not like it because
1. our department doesn't "advertise" this when applying. It is a 5 hour course which equates to about $1500 tuition plus you have to find housing for 5 weeks. Also, it cuts into the first summer session (it starts during our interim session) which prevents you from taking any classes during the first session.
2. you can't work during those five weeks which can be a significant loss of income for students who need to work.</p>

<p>thanks</p>