<p>I have heard that Uchicago's academic schedule is different from most schools (big surprise here!). I was wondering if anyone could explain exactly how it differs, and I guess any pros/cons or if it even makes a difference..</p>
<p>The University of Chicago is on a quarter system (which is basically the same as a trimester system), as is Dartmouth, Northwestern, most California schools, and many others. There are three main terms a year instead of two semesters. There is also a summer term with more limited course offerings which some students do, but it is not the norm. The terms are basically fall, winter, and spring. Each quarter is 10 weeks long with an attached exam week. The school starts near the end of September and gets out in early June, so the school year is shifted later than most schools. Even though the terms are shorter, each class is expeceted to cover the same amount of material as a semester school would in a longer term. For that reason, instead of a full schedule being 4 or 5 classes, a full schedule at the U of C is 3 or 4 classes (either is fine as long as you meet graduation requirements). Since terms are shorter, classes are fast-paced and intense; if you get behind for a week or two, you're basically behind for the term, so it's necessary to stay on top of your classes. There are always midterms and papers, so there's no real rest period in the term, besides the first week or two. It also means that you can take more courses during you time at school. If you take five classes a semester at a normal school, you'll graduate with 40 courses. If you take four courses a quarter at Chicago, you can graduatate with 48 courses. If you don't like a class, it's only ten weeks long. The end is always in sight, which is something I really love (we also talk about time in terms of weeks; it's common for people to start stories with "back in 2nd week" or plan parties as being "that friday of 8th week"). It also means that exams come right before vacations--winter break, spring break, and summer come directly after exams. At many schools, exam period falls a couple of weeks after vacation or even in the week right after. It's a tough schedule, no doubt about it. I like it a lot. Some people wouldn't. Overall, I think you'd get used to any academic schedule, so it shouldn't make or break any decision.</p>
<p>We start late and end late. We end up taking more classes on average I think. </p>
<p>If you're a true Chi-kid (that is, love to learn for the sake of learning), then you'll love that we get to jam more stuff in than semester schools.</p>
<p>thanks for the informative replies...does the fact that so much is packed into the 10 weeks mean that things are particularly hectic at UoC? I know the ethos of the university is dedication to learning, but I would think that always being in a rush with lots of pressure in terms of time would be counterproductive...but that's just my intuition, I could be wrong.</p>
<p>ditto to world cup fever's question.</p>
<p>Also, how long are the breaks (winter and spring that is)?</p>
<p>The quarter system means that the academics are fast-paced and intense. I don't think that necessarily correlates with "hectic"; I'd say since students and classes tend to be well organized, there's not the chaos that the word hectic implies. On the same line, there's usually not rushing. Classes that are well thought out and well planned can handle a semester's worth of material in 10 weeks. It's busy, but I've never decribed the quarter system (or heard it described) as hectic or rushed.</p>
<p>All breaks depend on when your exams end. Some people don't even have to stay for exam week (some exams/papers are the week before; some students can email in papers due that first Monday), and other people need to stay for the whole week. In terms of scheduled breaks, winter break is three weeks and spring break is one week. You'll often get another half week from exam period.</p>
<p>My sense from my child is that the difference is more at the beginning of courses than at the end. Courses have to get going quickly. There's no slow build-up, and mid-terms sometimes start only 3 or 4 weeks into the course.</p>
<p>As for being slightly off the normal East Coast schedule, there are advantages and disadvantages. There's some disadvantage with getting summer jobs, but once you have one you can earn that Labor Day bonus. Travelling in the first weeks of September is a great opportunity -- you can get better airfares, better hotel rates, less crowded sites, and less oppressive weather. But that last month before you start your first year is a killer: One by one, most of your friends leave, and there's no one left to say goodbye to you.</p>
<p>...unless they're going off to study in the UK, where classes start late September to the beginning of October</p>