The quarter system divides the academic year of the college into four sessions: fall, winter, spring, and summer. Generally, colleges in the U.S.A do not need a summer session. However, one can use it to complete classes not offered during other sessions. Or else, one can complete their degree in advance during these months. One needs to keep certain points in check to prepare for the quarter system. One can transfer from one system to another by following the above series of steps. Let’s see-> Do Colleges Have Quarters?
Yes, colleges have quarters. However, only a tiny amount of colleges adopt this system. According to a recent report, only 5 percent of the colleges in the U.S.A follow the quarter system for their academic year.
How Does A Quarter System Work?
For each quarter, a ten-week session occurs in fall, winter, spring, and summer, which is optional. This system is shorter than a semester system; this is why it leads to students taking fewer chapters each quarter. It means that for nine to twelve credits there are about only three to four classes.
The other 95 percent of U.S. institution for higher studies operates on a Semester Calendar. The quarter system is pretty hard to manage, but it has its advantages like getting extra time for side work, pursuing a side degree, etc.
What Are The Advantages Of The Quarter System?
- Lesser work
In the quarter system, students do not have to take much work due to lesser periods. Because of this, they can complete their pending assignments, do a side job and earn extra money, pursue a different degree and focus better on their studies as well.
- Short breaks
A shorter break can be of advantage of well. Long breaks between semesters break that flow of line that keeps students active with their studies. Sometimes after a long break, it might even take time for students to come back to their normal routine. So, small breaks keep the students engaged.
- Flexibility
The quarter system provides the student exposure to a variety of classes. When there are so many different classes, students turn flexible in each subject and become able to adapt to such changes more quickly.
How Does A Quarter Differ From A Semester?
- Transfer credits
If one wants to transfer from the semester system to the quarter system then they would have to multiply their credits by one and a half. Similarly, if one wants to do the vice versa, they would have to divide their credit with the same value.
- The Difference in Hours
If one has recently transferred from one system to another and still wondering about the difference between semester and quarter system hours, here is a general breakdown. Three quarters are equal to two semesters, which means that each semester equals one and a half quarters. One can easily find out their hours by applying this formula.
- Internship difference
Students that follow the quarter system can have trouble seeking internships because business organizations usually set internship programs during the semester schedule. There is also a lack of study abroad options in the quarter system while the semester system is more active in that field.
How Does One Prepare For The Quarter System?
One needs to be mentally prepared for their first class. Classes in the quarter system are a lot more complex and provide many varieties. If one doesn’t understand something, they would have to wait and let the routine grow upon them until can finally adjust to it.
Look out for extra activities: Since a quarter system does not provide much work other than a few classes, a student has a lot of free time where they can give time to other activities. Look out for part-time jobs and join social groups. Use your time.
Do not join too many clubs. There are various clubs that the quarter system offers during their free time dedicated to art, linguistics, pottery, etc. Many students apply to more clubs than they are needed, and end up with incomplete assignments in all such clubs. This also affects their studies negatively.
How To Transfer From One System To Another?
Transferring from one system to another would require a student to change the college first before they are about to graduate. It doesn’t matter whether they want to change their semester system to a quarter system or vice versa, their new institution will change the units that they have completed either way. However, there may be a slight possibility of it not happening. In this case, one must immediately contact their institution and inform them about the credit conversion.
When a student transfer from one system to another their credit value changes. It may seem like it is having a negative or positive effect on their grades, but that is not the case. One must also have to transfer their credits, and for doing so they will have to:
- Make copies of unofficial transcripts.
- Review credit transfer policies at their new institution.
- Submit their credit transfer information.
- Wait for their new institution to approve the completed credits applied to their degree.
Conclusion
The quarter system divides the academic year of college into four sessions: fall, winter, spring, and summer. Only 5% of the colleges in the U.S. have applied the quarter system, and the rest, 95%, have adopted the semester system. The quarter system has ten weeks each quarter. It provides benefits like lesser work, short breaks, and flexibility. There are many differences between the quarter and the semester system given above.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Is UCLA a semester or quarter?
UCLA with almost all of the other UCs ports the quarter system.
- Is Mission College a quarter or semester?
Mission Colleges provides sixteen semesters that are Fall and Spring. Although most of them are semester-length, some are also late start and short-termed.
- Is the quarter system harder than the semester system?
The quarter system is harder than the semester system. This is because there are short periods given for the quarter system and a variety of subjects to choose from. Sometimes it provides students interest but overall it is exhausting.
