<p>I received my acceptance letter today and with a pretty big merit scholarship, I'm hoping for some good need-based aid. If that happens--although it's not a sure thing--Kalamazoo is definitely going to be almost a no-brainer for which college I want to attend.</p>
<p>I've been told, however, that the quarter [or trimester, technically] system isn't ideal if you're looking to attend medical school, since the conversion to credits means you'll end up taking an "extra" class in order to meet the pre-reqs. Or that it's just harder to get all the req's and still be able to freely study what you want without trying to cram all these extra classes in so you can both graduate and apply to med school. I'm not planning on majoring in a science like chemistry or biology or whatnot, which is why I'm worried.</p>
<p>Anyone have experience or know anything about this?</p>
<p>It is actually on quarters not trimesters…4 Ten week quarters + 1 exam week per quarter (11 weeks total per quarter). Classes are one unit and students take 3 per quarter. Freshman are not “allowed” to overload and sophomores must have a 3.5 GPA to overload. </p>
<p>At one time K had an acceptance rate well into the 90th percentile so I doubt they have issues with their curriculum that impacts grad/med schools. Also not sure what you are thinking you need for med school? Philosophy and math are often mentioned as top undergraduate majors for med schools nationally? </p>
<p>They have been “tweaking” the K-plan since my day so best to ask your admissions counselor about your concern regarding classes loads and getting all the classes you desire completed. In the olden days it was 8 units for your major plus some required classes (gen ed type stuff) plus 2 units for your SIP.</p>
<p>As a point of clarification, the school is technically on terms. The summer quarter is no longer in the curriculum. So students typically take 9 classes per year, 3 per term. Most of the students, faculty, and staff still call it a quarter system though. </p>
<p>The new curriculum eliminates most of the general education requirements, so outside of your major, most of the courses you want are up to you. There is still a Health Sciences concentration to get you the courses you need for med school.</p>