Intakes in the USA
All US universities offer three intakes: fall, spring, and summer. The majority of students apply for the fall intake, which is available to all universities in the country. Conversely, just a small number of colleges offer summer and spring intakes, and those that do tend to have fewer alternatives. It is important to check the application availability of a certain university before beginning the procedure, as each university has various deadlines for applications. In order to complete the English proficiency test, complete all necessary paperwork, research various colleges and programs, and submit their application—which takes one to two months—students should begin the application process eight to nine months prior to the start of the intake.
Autumn Intake
August marks the start of the fall intake, while December marks the conclusion of the first semester. Since fall intake marks the official beginning of classes and all scholarships are awarded during this time, most students apply during this intake. Students have a plethora of alternatives depending on their requirements during the fall intake because all courses are offered and all universities are open for this intake. Fall admissions applicants have a plethora of on-campus part-time work possibilities in addition to applying to internship programs and joining social groups. Attending placement drives at the conclusion of the academic year is another benefit available to fall entry students at most universities.
| S.no | Intake | Semester Starting Month | Deadlines based on university grading |
| 1 | Fall/August Intake | August | A, A+ grade Universities: November/ December of the preceding yearA-, B, B+, C grade Universities: February/March of the current application yearC+, C-, D grade Universities: June/ July of the current application year |
| 2 | Spring/January Intake | January | A, A+ grade Universities: March/ April of the current application year A-, B, B+, C grade Universities: July/ August of the current application year C+, C-, D grade Universities: October/ November of the current application year |
| 3 | Summer/May Intake | September | All the universities close their applications by March of the same year |
Spring Intake
The Spring intake begins in January and concludes its first semester in April. This intake falls in the middle of the academic year, resulting in fewer scholarship opportunities since most grants are allocated to Fall intake students. Although some universities still offer financial aid for Spring applicants, the options are limited. Additionally, fewer universities are open for Spring admissions, and the course selection is narrower, leaving students with fewer choices. However, major courses such as Computer Science and Data Science are available, though with a restricted number of university options. During the Spring intake, on-campus part-time job opportunities are scarce, and internships in industries become limited as well. Most student groups are already established by the Fall semester, making it harder for Spring students to join leadership positions. Moreover, many companies have fulfilled their hiring needs from Fall intake students, which further reduces the job prospects for those joining in Spring.
Summer Intake
The Summer intake, which begins in May and ends in August, offers fewer university options in the USA. Most of the available courses during this intake are centered around languages and liberal arts, giving students limited choices and often restricting them from selecting their preferred programs. While students may find part-time job opportunities off-campus, on-campus employment is scarce, and scholarships are generally not available for this intake. Additionally, job prospects after completing courses in the Summer intake are quite limited. Many students avoid this intake due to lower visa acceptance rates, making it a less favorable option overall.
