Study Abroad Intakes In The United States - Why The Timing Of Your Application Matters

In the United States, American colleges and universities offer two broad intakes. The fall and spring intake.

Fall intake usually begins in August and lasts till December, while Spring intake starts in January and lasts till April.

The Fall intake is usually known as the primary and major intake while the Spring intake is the secondary intake which students normally apply if they miss the one in Fall.

However, whether you should apply for the Fall or Spring intake, depends on your goals, needs and course. This is where we will discuss the pros and cons of each and why you might want to choose one over the other.

If you are looking for the widest selection of universities and courses, the fall intake is when you should be applying. 

If there’s a particular degree you want, chances are it will be offered in the August intake!

Many universities have their flagship courses and the intakes for these normally occur during the Fall intake. Additionally, because the majority of students will be applying for this intake, you’ll have a more diverse and dynamic student body around.

However, if you missed the Fall intake, not all is lost. The Spring intake won’t have a diverse amount of courses, but it is worth searching through various universities instead of waiting another year!

Because the Fall intake starts earlier, you will be ready to apply for internship opportunities when they come. 

Because most companies, especially the big ones, sync their hiring timelines with the university intakes, you’ll be more primed to enjoy a wider selection of internship opportunities.

Additionally, there will be a myriad of on-campus jobs and research assistantships available during the fall intake. So if internships and part-time work are important for you, you’d definitely want to prioritize the fall intake.

While the fall intake might have a longer list of course options, the competition for entry is going to be much fiercer as the applicant pool will be huge.

This will mean your application will have to be in tip-top condition and every aspect will be scrutinized. From your grades to your English scores as well as your motivation letter, the criteria for getting in are going to be a lot stricter.

This is why you might want to consider applying for the spring intake. The competition will be milder and you will likely have a much easier time entering the course that you desire.

However, if graduating early is for you and you want to enter the workforce as soon as possible, then taking the Fall intake allows you to accomplish that.

You’ll be together with the main intake and that allows you to clear as much coursework as possible and graduate on time with your cohort. This is particularly important because you want to access the most career opportunities possible.

And companies typically hold their hiring intakes following the fall intake then students graduate en masse. 

But the Spring intake also brings with it tremendous advantages, especially if you are more flexible with your university choice and have a range of courses you are fine with.

Firstly, you will have more preparation time to get your application in order as well as obtain a US visa for your studies. This means more time to craft a compelling motivation letter as well as collect testimonials from your previous schools, references and past work employers.

Plus, you’ll be able to dedicate more time to your English assessment, such as your IELTS. This is one assessment that you can spend time on which will positively help your chances of admission to your dream course!

You might be applying later than students in the Fall, but this might actually be a blessing in disguise.

Ready to embark on your study abroad adventure in the United States but not sure which intake is the best for you?

Fret not, we can help! Let us assess your unique situation to understand which intake will give you the best chances to enter your dream course.

At IDP, we have a team of qualified education counsellors who can offer tailored guidance and ensure that your application process is more seamless – by assisting you every step of the way.

From course selection to accommodation preparation, we’ve got you covered. Book your free counselling session today to get started!