<p>I had a few questions about the quarter system. Does anyone know how many courses you take each quarter at Stanford? Is being on a quarter system an advantage or a problem as opposed to universities on a semester system?</p>
<p>That's a really good question. The number of courses you take each semester depends on 1) how many units each course is and 2) how difficult of a schedule you want to take. I'd say most people take 3-4 classes each quarter. Classes are worth 1-6 units. You need to take at least 12 units and at most 20, the average being around 16. Most activity classes are 1 unit whereas many courses you would take you freshman year (IHUM, math classes, etc.) are 5 units. Some intro seminars and many engineering classes are 3-4 units. </p>
<p>Quarter system allows you to take more classes than the semester system does. That's pretty cool. Also when you get breaks (winter, spring, summer) they are really breaks. Since they are between quarters, you won't have any work to do for classes. On the other hand, quarters go by really quickly. It is very easy to get behind. Once you get behind, it can be very difficult to catch up. The quarter system can be somewhat unforgiving. Also, at Stanford, due to (I think...) the quarter system you don't really get a reading period before finals. I basically had 3 days to study once I'd finished all my work for the quarter. Many other schools give you at least a week to review/study for finals. Also, many of your friends will probably be on semester system so your breaks may not coincide that well. This is especially annoying the summer before freshman year. </p>
<p>Overall, I'd say I don't mind the quarter system. I think overall I might even like it.</p>
<p>i've been looking at harvard and stanford.</p>
<p>i was at an info session 6 months ago and they said exams are after Christmas break. is that still true?</p>
<p>NO, exams are before Christmas break and have been that way for at least 35 years, because the quarter ends then. At Stanford, that is. I have no idea about Harvard.</p>
<p>harvard is the odd one out (i dont want to say the only one) that has exams after winter break</p>
<p>Harvard has exams after Christmas break. Actually they have reading period and exams after Christmas break. From what I hear, people spend all Christmas vacation learning the material from the semester which gives you plenty of time to study but has the disadvantage of ruining your Christmas vacation. I'm not sure which system sounds better.</p>
<p>We have the same system at my high school. Let me warn you - you will not spend the break studying. It can be a burden, but it's not that big of a deal, and you might get a chance to do some extra reading. So finals after break can be nice, depending on how you use the time. </p>
<p>I am looking forward to having them before break next year, though. I think I will enjoy having nothing to worry about over break.</p>