Intake Seasons of US Universities to Choose

Majorly, US universities offer three intakes for international students, which are discussed below.

The fall intake in USA is one of the most popular options for international students. It starts around August or September, marking the beginning of the academic year. The session ends in December.

Spring intake in USA is an alternative option for international students who may have missed the fall intake or wish to start their studies at a different time. It is also popularly known as January intake in USA. Typically the session begins in January or February and lasts till April-May.

The summer intake in USA provides international students a unique opportunity to pursue their academic aspirations during the summer months. It is also known as May intake in USA. The sessions for this intake start around May or June and last till August.

Now, to know which intake is best for USA, let’s check the benefits of each intake!

Fall is the most popular intake in USA among international students. Technically, it is the start of the academic year. Here are some benefits of applying for fall intake in USA for international students. 

• Since it is a major intake in USA, therefore almost all USA universities and colleges accept international students’ applications during this intake. It is a great opportunity for you to apply to top-notch universities in USA, as many of them are open during this intake only. 

• Most universities in the USA offer academic programs and courses specifically designed for the Fall intake. This means you will have a larger pool of options, allowing you to find a program that aligns with your interests and career goals.

• During fall intake, many international students move to study in USA. Therefore, it is a pleasant time to indulge in a multicultural environment and make global connections. Universities organise orientation programs and activities for new students. These events provide opportunities to familiarise you with campus facilities, connect with other students, and engage in campus life.

Spring is another major intake in the USA. International students who miss a chance to apply in the Fall intake generally apply in the spring intake. Now, let’s explore the benefits of applying for spring intake in USA.

• While the Fall semester is generally the more popular intake, the Spring semester often has fewer applicants. This can increase your chances of securing admission as more seats in your desired program may be available. If you have a specific university or program in mind and they accept applications for the Spring intake, it can be an opportunity to gain admission when competition is relatively lower.

• The class size in spring intake is small as compared to fall intake. Therefore, professors are able to give more personalised attention to students in spring intake classes.

• Applying for the Spring intake provides flexibility in planning your academic journey. If you missed the Fall intake or needed more time to finalise your decision, the Spring semester allows you to start your studies without delay.

Fall and Spring intakes are popular intakes in USA when compared to summer intake. However, the summer intake has its advantages. Let’s explore them below!

• US universities offer short-term, certification, and vocational courses during the summer semester. Therefore, you’ll get a good chance to start with these quick summer entry courses in the United States.

• Summer intake provides greater flexibility in terms of timing. It allows international students to start their studies at a time that suits them best. This can benefit those who wish to graduate early or align their academic schedules with specific career goals.

• Summer classes often have smaller enrollment numbers compared to the other two intakes. This means that students have the opportunity for more personalised attention from professors, better interaction with classmates, and a more intimate learning environment.

• Since the number of applicants during summer intake is quite a few. Thus, it becomes advantageous for students applying in this intake as the chances of getting an offer letter increase due to less competition. 

In the last, we would like to add that there are various factors which one should consider while deciding the intake to which they’ll be applying, such as the availability of courses, number of applicants, availability of academic and personal documents, etc. Apart from this, students are advised to start the process of searching for universities one year in advance before the intake starts. Also, they should start preparing for English proficiency as well as standardise admission tests.

If you are still unsure or would like to get deeper insight, we encourage you to have a word with our team of expert counsellors at Meridean Overseas Education Consultants (MOEC). If you are unable to travel to our offices, we offer online counselling services via our website. Our dedicated counsellors will provide you with the best guidance regarding your application to study in USA. Don't hesitate to contact us at application02@meridean.org or call us at 1800-1230-00011.