I am graduating from an CC and will receive an associate in business. I am debating on going to Nicholls State University (which runs on a semester system) and Louisiana Tech University (which runs on a quarter system). I have applied to both colleges and been accepted. Even though I already scheduled classes and paid the housing fee at Nicholls, I would still like to see if I will get a scholarship from LA Tech. I am currently waiting for my final grades to be posted so I can send them off for both colleges so I can see if I can get a Scholarship. I will figure out if I will get the scholarship or not, 2 weeks after they receive my final transcript. When I transfer I be changing my major to computer information system (all my credits transfer, it’s still in the college of business). Would it be harder doing computer classes in the quarter system? how long will it take to get used to the quarter system? I am used to the semester system because my CC uses it. any tips or advice are welcomed. thanks
Approximately 25% of colleges are on a quarter system, so it works. Yes, they appear to move fast, but it is still ~30 weeks of education per year.
The only tip is to not get behind. In other words, don’t procrastinate and think you can ‘start your term paper next week’…
Good luck.
Having experienced one for Undergrad and the other for grad, I liked quarters. I felt like a lot of semester courses had a bit of extra material that didn’t really fit but that something was needed to fill the last few weeks. Or that they were rushed and crammed. Naturally, some felt right-sized, but fewer thannot… The quarter system seemed to provide the flexibility to stick with the focus (1 quarter) or thoroughly delve into more material (2 quarters). The downside is that it felt like we were always having midterms or finals.
Of course, ymmv. Most schools have figured out how to optimize the system they have chosen.
I think it’s a rare student for whom quarters-vs-semesters should outweigh other factors. Most people can make either one work for them. There are pros and cons either way. Quarters allow a little more variety/exploration but also the hassle of an additional round of registration each year. The faster pace of quarters means that it’s tougher to recover from setbacks like illnesses; but then again, for some students, the longer timeline of semesters can pose more of a temptation to procrastinate and end up even more crunched at the end, because then you’re behind in 4-5 classes instead of 3-4! So, it takes discipline either way.
If I were you, I would map out my approximate course plan at both schools and see how the different subjects end up being distributed. Yes, computer science type classes can get intense on the quarter system, but then again they may get spread out such that you’re only taking one such intense class per quarter, whereas on semesters the more intense classes could get doubled up. Look at the actual path to your degree at each school and compare how the classes would be grouped. If one looks significantly more humane than the other, then you have your answer. If it’s a toss-up (more likely) then don’t worry about it and choose based on other factors.
How did you guys balance everything with quarters? I feel like I would get overwhelmed with school, being involved, etc. If you were bad at a subject how did ya’ll manage to pass your classes? Also do you graduate faster?
You’ll need to be organized either way. It’s easy to get behind in either system. But everyone will be doing what you are, so don’t worry about doing things outside class. No, you don’t graduate faster. The #of class hours for graduation is pretty much the same at either.