<p>4-1-4’s are definitely attractive. However, if a school can justify it’s calendar system, and it works for what the school’s strengths are, then I don’t think it should be a main factor. However, one thing about the quarter system is that you get a lot of work in a shorter period of time. So you can take more classes, but there may be added stress. It’s all about the bigger picture, I guess. </p>
<p>And Princeton’s odd finals schedule is definitely not for everyone!</p>
<p>My older D is at Dartmouth, and aside from loving the campus, two things were very appealing about Dartmouth’s quarter system. One, she could study abroad or do an internship for one term and still have significant time on campus. Two, she loved the idea of sophomore summer and the chance for her class to bond as well as lead all organizations on campus. She just finished summer term, and it was as good as everyone said it would be. She is now in NYC for a fall internship, but she will still have winter and spring terms on campus. As a parent, I love the adjustment Dartmouth made to end fall term before Thanksgiving, as it will save on airfare as well as travel time for so many students. While the academic calendar wasn’t the key factor in choosing a college, it definitely was part of the equation. And Sally, we love Lou’s. It is always on our agenda for campus visits.</p>
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<p>dumbo11–Funny story about Lou’s:</p>
<p>In July, my husband, son, and I were changing planes in Paris. My son was wearing a Dartmouth t-shirt. A woman in the boarding line just ahead of us asked if he went to Dartmouth. We laughed and said that he’d just finished his freshman year in high school. The woman said, “We live in Hanover, NH, so that’s why I wondered.” I replied, “We live a couple hours from there, but we go to Hanover a lot. We always time our trips to the Vermont and New Hampshire mountains to make sure that we can eat breakfast at Lou’s.” I blathered on for another minute or two about when and why we go to Lou’s, how long we’ve been going, what we like there, etc. </p>
<p>Then I finally took a breath and asked, “Do you like Lou’s?” And my new BFF replied, “We OWN Lou’s!” :eek:</p>
<p>Sally, LOVE that story. I literally laughed out loud.</p>
<p>Yes, it effect because it give us other options, new options and good option than we choose the best or it may be change as we have previously…</p>
<p>My D only looked at schools with semester systems, but not because she was considering the calendar - that’s just how it worked out. Some started a couple weeks earlier than others, and she chose one with an earlier start, but again, not because of the calendar. I went to a school with a 4/1/4 calendar, with the January term being optional, and really liked that. But it wasn’t a factor in my choice.</p>
<p>I hasten to point out that Dartmouth’s new schedule is not a 4-1-4 semester system. It’s a 3-1-3-3 quarter system. The school year starts early and finishes late.</p>
<p>Actually, the typical Dartmouth student takes 3 courses per term for 3 of the four quarter-system terms per year. The spring term does indeed go later than most (exams end on June 4) but the fall term isn’t early. In fact, it starts a little later than at many peer institutions (Sept. 10 this year and next year it’s tentatively slated for the 16th).</p>
<p>yes college calender effects the choice of school or college its from my point view also why? because some holly days should be for refresh of learn for prectice for remind etc… it effects but a little more effect of teachers.</p>
<p>My first choice (a liberal arts state school) has a semester calender, with a week off for Thanksgiving, 3 weeks (I think…) for winter, and an optional Maymester. I don’t like the school because of the calender, but I do like the calender! :)</p>