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 |
Admission Intakes in the USA 2023-24
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. When considering how many intakes there are in the USA, typically, there are three main intakes: Fall, Spring, and Summer.
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Which Intake is for Me?
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. When is Fall intake in the USA? It typically starts in August or September, so you should plan your application timeline accordingly.
Fall intake in the USA
The following are some crucial aspects regarding the September or Fall intakes in the USA that you should be aware of:
- The Fall intake in the USA, which typically begins in late August and lasts through December or January, is one of the most popular intakes among Indian students.
- For overseas students wishing to study in the USA, a wider variety, of course, options are available for the September admissions, also known as Fall intake.
- The Fall intake in the USA gives international students the opportunity to look into more part-time campus employment options as well as more teaching assistant or research positions.
- For students who begin their programs during the USA’s Fall 2023 intakes, there are more post-study employment alternatives accessible.
In the USA, class sizes for the Fall intakes are typically bigger than those for the Spring or Summer intakes. - Owing to the fact that many overseas students who were previously unable to migrate to the USA due to travel restrictions may now opt to do so, the September intakes in the USA in 2023 are projected to experience increased competitiveness.
Merits of Fall Intake in the USA
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.
List of Top Universities in the USA for Fall Intake 2023
For the Fall intakes in the USA in 2023, have a look at this list of the top universities:
- Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT)
- Stanford University
- Harvard University
- University of South Florida
- George Mason University
- University of Massachusetts, Boston
- University of Illinois, Chicago
- Auburn University
- University of Dayton, Ohio
- Adelphi University
- Hofstra University
- University of Kansas
- University of Utah
- Louisiana State University
- DePaul University
- Colorado State University
Spring Intake 2023 in the USA
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.
Merits of Spring Intake in the USA
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.
List of Top Universities in the USA for Spring intake 2023
Listed below are some of the top Spring intake universities in the USA in 2023:
- Stevens Institute of Technology
- University of New Haven
- University of Cincinnati
- California State University, Long Beach
- Washington State University
- Rochester Institute of Technology
- New Jersey Institute of Technology
- University of Bridgeport
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Summer Intake 2023 in the USA
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.
Merits of Summer Intake in the USA
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.
List of Top Universities in the USA for Summer Intake 2023
Here is a list of universities offering summer intakes in the USA:
- University of Texas at Dallas
- The University of Arizona
- Virginia State University
- Purdue University
- Delaware Valley University
- Florida Atlantic University
- Indiana University Bloomington
- University of Central Florida
- University of South Florida
- Clemson University
- Florida Gulf Coast University
- Jacksonville University
- Georgia Southern University
- Southeast Missouri State University
- Stockton University
- North Central University
- Southeastern University
- Grand Valley State University
- Hendrix College
- Regent University
- Southern Utah University
- Southern Illinois University
- Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota
- University of Nebraska-Lincoln
- The University of New Mexico
- St. Edward’s University
- Winthrop University
- Kean University
- Eastern Washington University
- University of Washington Tacoma
- Marietta College
Steps to Prepare for USA Intakes 2023
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.
- Start early and narrow down your selection of institutions to 8 to 12, along with information about their application procedures, deadlines, etc., from their websites.
- You should be informed of your possibilities for financial aid, including bank loans.
- On the websites of the universities, you should first obtain the useful entrance pamphlets that were released a year before the intake.
Additionally, you should do some preliminary study on different lodging possibilities. - Depending on your degree and where you attended college, start studying for standardized examinations like the GMAT, GRE, Digital SAT, TOEFL, or IELTS.
- Three months before the test date, you should register for the GRE or GMAT.
We urge you to register at least one month prior to the test date for English language proficiency exams like the TOEFL or IELTS. - Write the necessary exams, and if you need to retake the exam, please schedule a break in between.
- You must do a thorough job of application preparation. Here, a suggestion is to consider what makes you unique. It’s essential to be honest in your letter about your accomplishments and self-evaluation.
- A month before the deadline for your application, get in touch with your lecturers and direct managers to request at least two to three reference letters.
- The next step is to compose your essays and Statements of Purpose (SOPs). We suggest giving these documents a month to be properly formatted.
- Before the deadline, submit your application.
- Respond to college emails without causing additional delays. Please be aware that you will receive a few emails, so be sure to react to each one properly.
You must show up for video or in-person interviews. - Make your decision as soon as you receive your admission letters.
- You must submit a non-refundable deposit to the institution to secure your place in the program.
- You can look for and start submitting applications for outside scholarships (if required). Most of the time, you won’t need it because American institutions provide a lot of scholarships.
- After obtaining your admission notice, you can apply for a student loan to help you further your study.
- You must now collect all of the necessary documents for your American student visa.
- Due to the lengthy processing time, we ask that you apply for the USA student visa as soon as feasible.
- Book airline tickets
- Obtaining a Global debit or Credit card is necessary.
- Assemble all the copies and original paperwork you’ll need to travel to the USA.
- Make sure you are prepared to travel to America by checking out a pre-departure checklist.
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Documents Required for USA Intakes 2023-24
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.
- Transcripts of the previous qualifying examination
- Official Marksheet of class 10th and 12th (if applying only for UG programs)
- Official Marksheet of UG
- Official Marksheet of MS
- Transcripts from every academic institution attended and courses taken
- GRE or GMAT scores
- Admission Essay
- SOP
- Resume/CV
- 2-3 LORs
- Valid Passport
- IELTS, TOEFL, or PTE scores
- Passport size photographs
- Certificates of extracurricular activities, internships (if any)
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.