Expert: Jake Lanier - 12/8/2000

Question
I have a question regarding the different ways colleges divide up the year -- some do semesters and some do quarters.  I get the basic differences; quarters are supposedly harder, and the colleges that are on them usually go back to school later after summer break.  But I don't get something:  I was told that the people on the quarter system go through three different sets of classes (3 quarters, not counting summer), while people on the semester only go through two different sets of classes (because semesters last longer).  This doesn't make sense to me.  How can people at some schools take so many classes, while others only take 2/3 that amount?  What have I heard wrong?  I've been trying to get an answer to this question, but I haven't gotten a clear explanation yet.  Thanks, Kristin

Answer
Kristin,
 Colleges that do the quarter system end up taking the same amount of classes as colleges with semesters.  People at semester colleges take more classes in one semester than those in quarters take in one quarter.  At the end of the school term, it pretty much equals out.  I hope that answers your question and if you have any others, don't hesitate to ask.
                                              Jake