<p>If I’m not mistaken, Ohio State runs on a Quarter academic period. My question is, how is this different compared to say, semester periods? </p>
<br>
<br>
<p>Thanks!</p>
<p>Quarter & Trimester systems seem to be the same. Typically quarters/trimesters are 10 weeks & semesters are 15 weeks. Students on the semester system take more courses per term--usually 5--than quarter or trimester systems where 3 or 4 courses is the norm. Dartmouth College, for example, is a trimester school during which students take 3 courses per term, Northwestern University is a quarter system school where 4 course per term is the norm. Most UCs (California) are on the quarter system.</p>
<p>To clarify, is there 3 or 4 terms in a quarter system, if you don't count the summer session?</p>
<p>And because a quarter/trimester is shorter, do the classes move at a faster pace than a semester class? And once each quarter is up, you register for new classes?</p>
<p>I'm not too familiar with these systems, I live in an area where high school is done by semester, and the majority of my colleges that I've applied to are also on the semester system.</p>
<p>There are four quarters in the year- autumn, winter, spring, and summer. Students typically take classes during three of these four quarters, autumn-spring, so in that respect it is like a trimester system. Yes, classes do move a little quicker. In my short experience so far, classes are either 48 minutes long, an hour an 18 minutes long, or an hour and 48 minutes long, depending on how often you have the class. For example, my anthropology class meets two days a week for an hour and 48 minutes each time. My chemistry lectures are three days a week for 48 minutes each, with an additional 48 minute recitation and a 2 hour and 48 minute lab.</p>
<p>Around the middle of each quarter you begin registration for the next quarter's classes, and unless you're in a series type of class (as in engineering, or chem 101-102), you get all new classes each quarter.</p>
<p>I really love this system- I think I would get extremely bored having the same classes for 15 whole weeks. it moves quickly, but you have fewer classes to focus on within that time.</p>
<p>Personally, I find that I do better in shorter classes spread out throughout the week, such as a 45 minute M/W/F vs. a an hour and a half class on tues/thurs. i find it easier to focus and stay on track, especially in a class that i may not be particularly fond of.</p>
<p>Thanks everyone for your feedback!
Does anyone know if there's a website/blog or somethin' that goes more in depth about this topic, in terms of pros and cons and/or comparisons?</p>
<p>As a completely shameless plug for myself and my fellow bloggers for OSU's admissions website, you could try snooping around:</p>
<p>Buckeyes</a> Blog</p>
<p>I don't remember anyone writing about that particular topic, but I can definitely do my next entry about it.</p>
<p>Thanks for the link, Speaker. I'm enjoying the blogs!</p>
<p>I've just finished my post on this issue:</p>
<p>Buckeyes</a> Blog</p>
<p>I am MessyMechE, near the bottom.</p>
<p>Thank you for the post, it answered a lot of my questions.
On that note, you brought the topic of how classes move faster and with the duration between midterm to midterm and such is shorter.</p>
<p>Is there a link where I can find sample syllabuses for common freshman core classes that most students will have to take, so I can get a feel for the pace and style of the classes?</p>