What does a 4-1-4 Calendar mean and should it be a factor choosing a school?

<p>What is it?</p>

<p>Instead of the normal 2 semesters, you take 4 courses in the regular fall semester, ending before Christmas - and 4 courses in spring semester, usually Feb. through sometime in May. The "1" is typically the month of Jan. being its own little mini-term, where you take only 1 course - in depth - meets several hours each day, plus lots of research on your own. Many students take this term as a short internship off campus.</p>