Studying abroad and determining the best college from the list of universities is a major decision that requires a thorough understanding of the admissions criteria, test requirements, courses to be pursued , career opportunities, and so on. Hence, in order to plan for all this, you need to know the various intakes that are applicable in the US for admissions and plan backward to reach your dream college.
To help you make an informed decision, here is a guided tour of intakes of the US universities and colleges.
In US universities, an academic year is divided into two semesters. However, unlike India, universities and colleges across the USA enroll students three times in an academic year: Fall, Spring, and Summer.
Type of Intake | Starts from |
Fall | August – December |
Spring | January – April |
Summer | May – August |
The majority of US universities and colleges are accepting applications from both domestic and international students for the US intake 2023. The University of Pennsylvania, California Institute of Technology, Princeton University, Duke University, and Cornell University are among a few of the top-ranked universities in the USA that offer a number of programs across all levels of UG, MS, MBA, and even Ph.D.
If you are planning to apply to any program in the USA for Fall 2023, Spring 2023, or even Summer 2023 as an international student, you must start preparing your applications now. Usually, international students, eager to pursue their higher education in the USA, prefer the Fall intake in the USA, also known as the September intake in the USA. This intake begins in late August or early September and offers a vast number of courses and better opportunities for scholarship during this intake, making it the most favored application time among international students.
Check Your Score Now with a Free Practice Test
See where you stand with our practice tests. Find the right way to improve with our strategy sessions.
You need to decide carefully which intake best suits you. You must consider the fact that the deadlines for applying to an intake are usually a few months before the date of the start of the semester. Ideally, you should begin applications 9-12 months before the intake. US universities usually take about 8-10 weeks to process the applications.
However, Fall intake is usually the preferred intake. Not all universities offer Spring or Summer Intake.
The following are some crucial aspects regarding the September or Fall intakes in the USA that you should be aware of:
The maximum number of students apply to universities and colleges during the Fall intake as fall marks the beginning of the academic year. Various flagship programs and courses are offered by the universities during the fall intake. More opportunities are offered to the students in the fall intake in terms of scholarships and financial aid. It is easier for students to find internships and job opportunities in the USA. For students interested in networking and other on-campus activities, Fall intake is the best.
For the Fall intakes in the USA in 2023, have a look at this list of the top universities:
Applications for the Spring 2023 intake in the USA have already begun. The programs will receive the applications between August – December 2023, following which the first semester will start in January 2023 and last till April 2023. Here’s a brief overview of the Spring 2023 intake timelines.
You will have more time to work on your academic preferences because of the spring intake. Although there are fewer universities that offer courses in the spring, you will still have the opportunity to enroll in a recognized institution and save one year. Meritorious students will have an opportunity to finish their degrees sooner and can move towards the next goal.
Listed below are some of the top Spring intake universities in the USA in 2023:
Meet The Experts to Start Your Global Journey
We help you win. That only game that truly matters, your career.
Summer intake in the USA starts in May and ends in August. Applications are accepted for shorter-term courses or programs for the summer intake. Several universities are currently offering a large number of language courses designed to aid non-native English speakers. During the summer intake in the USA, fewer students apply as fewer universities and colleges offer admission. As admission decisions are generally based on the strength of the applicant pool for the given intake, comparatively lesser applications will significantly improve your chances of receiving an admissions offer from a reputable institution.
In order to give you a head start in the Summer intake, universities usually offer slightly shorter courses and certified programs. Because fewer applicants are selected during this intake, there are higher chances of acceptance. When applying for spring internships, students have the option of taking online classes. For students taking summer courses, many universities offer comprehensive internship programs.
Here is a list of universities offering summer intakes in the USA:
The admissions procedure is largely uniform across universities and colleges in the USA. An online application, academic transcripts, and an English language competency exam are normally required for all intakes. A short, step-by-step explanation from beginning to ending is provided below to help you in making the best preparations. For each intake, the process will be the same.
Students applying to universities, at any level and for any program, in the USA must be careful with the documentation needed. While typically every USA application will need you to provide the following basic documents, you should verify the requirements for each university and program that you apply to as each university sets its own standards for admission.
The USA as a whole offers admission to students in three intakes, with autumn being one of the most popular intakes in the USA for international students because it corresponds to the academic year. There are fewer students in the spring intake and those who need more time sign up for the spring semester. Your preferred courses and universities, as well as the application dates, will help decide the optimum intake for you.
Most popular and premier admission consulting service* by distinguished Ivy League mentors.
Our accomplished study abroad industry veterans will enable you to maximize your chances of admission to your dream university.
Our advisors will advise & assist you in applying to universities from our partner universities bucket.
The USA is the top preferred destination when it comes to studying engineering programs. As a ... Read More >
STEM Courses in USA Meaning STEM expands to Science, ...
Read More >
Study Visa – USA The United States is usually ...
Read More >
When it comes to higher education, the United States ...
Read More >
As fall intake is the most preferred intake for students wanting to study in USA, Universities are well prepared for it offers many advantages:
There are several universities in USA for Indian students to choose from, following are a few top US universities open for 2023 intake:
Fall intake is the most popular intake for universities in USA. Most of the students globally apply for spring intake which starts in September every year. To apply for fall or September intake students need to start preparing for it at least 9-10 months in advance considering the need to appear for exams such as SAT/GMAT/GRE/IELTS and other application and visa formalities. An overseas education consultant can be the best guiding expert in your study abroad journey with support on the admission process to test prep to visa application taken care of by experts.
January intake is also known as spring intake. This is a secondary intake as the most popular one is the September intake also known as the fall intake. To make it to a US university by January, applicants should:
Admission in US universities is open for fall, spring and summer which correspond with the months for these seasons. Spring intake in January is the second most popular intake after September intake. Spring intake helps those students who for some unforeseen reasons could not apply for fall intake. The delay could be due to financial reasons, health or education. Whatever be the reason spring intake provides them with a second chance. However, the number of courses offered during fall intake are more compared to spring intake.
List of a few top universities in USA accepting spring intakes in USA are:
List of a few top universities in USA accepting fall intakes are:
The choice between fall or spring semester to apply for in a university in USA depends on many factors such as:
This webinar will enlighten you on the process of studying in the UK, its top-notch academic programs, application process, cultural vibrancy, scholarship opportunities, extensive employment opportunities and life in the UK.
Address: Live Session
Book Your Slot >