<p>I just don’t see much advantage from the students prospective of the quarter system (QS). Most textbooks are designed around the semester sytem and especially in science and engineering. </p>
<p>For students who are OOS and have to fly home, doesn’t the QS mean extra travel and expense. When I try and identify the pros and cons of the QS it always seems to come up far short. Let’s take a typical class like Organic Chemistry 1. Does Stanford try and cover as much as another school that teaches the same class for one semester? If so how much faster can you plow through this stuff without loosing something? </p>
<p>I guess it is liked by the faculty - why else keep it after all these years ? If you are a Techy how does the QS improve your educational experience?</p>
<p>I think it’s a great system. It allows the class to move at a quicker pace and allows students to take more classes, giving them time to study-abroad. Finally, the vacations are placed so that it is difficult to have a “where did the last 6 weeks of knowledge go? Ah right, it’s in those tequila shots in Fort Lauderdale.” moment.</p>
<p>For OOS students, doesn’t necessarily mean extra time and expense. Dorms are open during Thanksgiving break (which is a week long, but isn’t a quarter break) and during the break between Winter and Spring quarters.</p>
<p>As for the shorter time period…at a semester school, a “standard” intro or mid-level course might meet 3 days a week for 1 hour each, or 2 days a week for 1.5 hours. At Stanford, the same course will meet more days per week, or for a longer time period. For some students, the shorter gap between classes…or longer class time… is actually good.</p>
<p>About OOS students - Stanford does not have a “fall break” that many schools on semester system have after 1st quarter. So there are Thanksgiving break, winter break and spring break, which is pretty similar to any other place.</p>
<p>The quarter system has its advantages for the students - you get to take more classes, if you don’t like a particular class, you’re only are “stuck” in it for 10 weeks. Any bad grade has less overall effect on your GPA. You can study abroad in the fall and miss only one quarter at Stanford.</p>
<p>Many students like the faster pace, though it can be stressful (more midterms, more finals). One quarter does not necessarily cover a semester-worth of material, by the way. Generally speaking, 3 quarters are equal two semesters.</p>
<p>I personally hate the QS. A lot of the classes (math 51, chem 31x) are so rushed that not much really sticks in your mind 30 mins after the final. And the fact they actually close down the dorms for winter break and the dining halls during spring break is really a pain for those of us who don’t have the extra $1000 to spend on airfare. But I doubt it’s going to change anytime soon. It is definitely popular among the faculty - 9 weeks of teaching is definitely better than 16 weeks.</p>
<p>I am so glad to hear that Stanford lets you stay in the dorms over spring break! My Ds school certainly does not. Paying for food for a week is way less than flying 2,000 miles home and back.</p>
<p>I like the fact that the breaks are placed between the quarters, so that classes don’t carry over. It’s nice to have a spring break where I don’t have to worry about studying or projects.</p>
<p>Also, if I don’t like a class, I’m only stuck with it for 10 weeks, and I can take more classes (15/year, instead of 8 or 10), but that’s been mentioned before.</p>