Usually, colleges or schools in the U.S. are distributed in two different academic systems: quarters or semesters. Both have their benefits regarding the scholarships. The number of faculty and experience for the students on quarters is more than semesters. By quarters study, students get 18 credits for study than a semester system.
How Does The Semester System Work?
From late August to mid-December and mid-January to May academic year of semesters is organized with 15 weeks semesters each. Four or five classes being taken by students in this semester system. Scholarships are obtained according to their need.
Duration of Semester in Colleges or schools
Usually, a semester system is 15 weeks long; however, it depends on specific school holidays. In which fall and spring semester starts or ends alternatively of six months. The following timetable is on schools and colleges:
- Fall: From August to mid of December
- Spring: From mid of January to May
- Summer : (elective): June and July
How Does The Quarter System Work?
Four quarters are held (fall, winter, spring, and summer) by the institutions for the quarter’s system. The vacation from periods is in the summer quarter, though students take three to four classes in the quarter system. Somehow scholarships are available in a particular way.
Duration of Quarters in Colleges or schools
It varies with the students‘ average classes from 10 to 11 weeks, which coincides with reasons. In the following way, the quarter system is broken up:
- Fall: mid-September to December
- Winter: early January to March
- Spring: mid-April to June
- Summer: mid-June to August
Differences between Semesters vs. Quarters
| Length of each term | Number of courses taken per team | Credit hours required per program | Hours in class per week | |
| Semester | 15 weeks | Around 5 | 120 hours | 5 classes = 15 hours |
| Quarter | 10-11 weeks | 3-4 | 180 hours | 4 classes =4 classes |
Advantages and disadvantages of semester System
Since the common identity of the semester system in U.S. colleges or schools and universities, some of the advantages or disadvantages are as follows:
Semester System advantages | Semester System disadvantages |
| To Learn Information using more time. | Stress increased |
| Establishing time for Student–Professor Relationships | Potential for Unusual Classes |
| Shorter Classes | Improving GPA in a complex way |
| Scholarships for every Semester | Extra practice is not possible due to a strict timetable and time constraints. |
Advantages and disadvantages of Quarters System
Quarters System advantages | Quarters System disadvantages |
| Work Loads become smaller | Difficulties in internship |
| The flexibility of more class | Interruptions in study abroad |
| Shorter Breaks | Fast-Paced Classes |
To Wrap Up
Furthermore, the Semester system is the better choice. In the semester system, most of the things being regained their previous knowledge by projects are very acknowledgeable.
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