<p>Since Stanford people can take 3 quarters of classes in a year(fall, winter, spring) whereas MIT people take 2 terms(fall, spring), how do these two compare? It seems like Stanford people can end up taking a lot more classes? Is the learning really crunched up in the quarter system?</p>
<p>How do you guys feel about 2 terms systems vs. 3 term systems in general? I know Caltech does trimesters too right?</p>
<p>I can't address the "semester vs. 3 quarters" question, but I noticed another difference that I thought I'd mention. My son started at MIT this year, and several of his friends started at Stanford. They were all cooling their heels, getting antsy and eager to get started, because Convocation wasn't until Sept. 20th and their classes didn't start until Sept. 26th... and their 3rd quarter this year doesn't end until June 14th (unless their exams are over sooner). By June 14th, my son will already have put in 3 weeks at his summer internship.</p>
<p>Just another schedule difference that might be something to keep in mind.</p>
<p>... you should probably not decide where you go based on this stuff. It's a year no matter how you split it up, and roughly the same material is covered in the same classes, just split up in different ways.</p>