Understanding USA Student Intakes: Fall, Spring & Quarterly Intakes

Dreaming of pursuing your MS in the US? Understanding the US education and university admissions system is key to planning your education in America. India has quite a straight-forward education system with a single intake each year for most universities. However, the US differs based on which system the university you are applying to follows. 

There are two different Education Systems in the US

1. Semester system
2. Quarter system

US Admission system #1: Semester System

Most universities in the US run on the semester system and have three admission cycles in a year. This is quite different from the Indian education system where admissions take place only once in a year. The three intakes for studying in USA are as follows:

1. Fall:  August
2. Spring:  January
3. Summer:  May

Fall and Spring are considered as the main semesters and each semester consists of 15-18 weeks. The duration of summer semester (shortest semester) varies from 10 -12 weeks.  Most American Universities/colleges have intakes only in Fall and Spring. Very few colleges are open for admissions during summer. An easy way to know the intakes for your shortlisted universities is to sign up for a free Ubergrad account and get up-to-date information about intakes and other admissions criteria.

Fall Intake

The academic year for almost all the universities starts with the Fall semester. The Fall semester starts in Mid-August and ends in December. Most students opt for this intake for the following reasons:

• You have more university programs, and scholarships available. 
• Class sizes are larger meaning you may have an easier chance of getting and admission into your preferred university in the US
• Joining in the Fall semester may help you get more post-study work opportunities in the US. Typically, companies offer jobs to students in their second year of Masters in the US. If you’ve opted for the Fall intake you will have completed 3 semesters by your second year compared to just two semesters if you have taken the summer intake. This gives prospective employers a better idea of your skills as you have built a larger academic profile.

When should I start applying for Fall intake?

If you are applying for the Fall intake, you must apply almost a year before as the competition is high. This depends on the university you are applying to so it is important to have accurate information at hand.

For all the top ranked Universities, you need to apply a year before. However, other universities allow you to apply till March and June/July of the same year.

Some of the top Ranked Universities where you need to apply by October / November of the previous year are –

1. Massachusetts Institute of Technology
2. Stanford University
3. University of California
4. University of Illinois
5. University of Michigan Ann Arbor
6. Cornell University
7. University of Texas at Austin
8. University of Maryland
9. California Institute of Technology

Spring Intake

In the US, the Spring Intake starts in January and ends in mid-May. Typically, students who have been rejected in the Fall intake, working professionals, and students who have taken a break to settle down after their Bachelors apply for the Spring Intake. Not all universities offer Spring Intake admissions, so it is important to check before applying.

When should I start applying for spring?

If you are applying for the Spring intake then you need to put in your application by the end of July the year before. Some universities keep their admissions open till September/October meaning you can send in an application by August – however most universities consider student applications on a FCFS (First Come First Serve) basis. Applying early will increase your chance of getting admission and being able to access scholarships.

Summer Intake

Summer semester starts in June and ends in August. This is the shortest semester of all the three semesters. Some universities consider this as shorty optional semester. Very few universities accept admissions in this semester.

When should I start applying for summer intake?

For summer intake, you need to apply by March of the same year. But, most of the universities don’t have summer intakes. Even if the universities are open for admissions, the concerned departments might remain closed. Again, check with the university you opted for before you apply.

US Admission system #2: Quarter System

Some universities and colleges in the US follow a quarter system of student admissions. This quarter system comprises four seasons, each lasting 8-13 weeks.

1. Fall Quarter: September
2. Winter Quarter: January
3. Spring Quarter: April
4. Summer Quarter: July

Fall Quarter

Usually, the fall quarter starts in September and ends in December. Most admissions to Masters programs come in this quarter and this is also when most scholarships and financial aid is available. 

To apply for the fall quarter, you must submit your university admissions application by the end of June of the same year. Some colleges and universities offer July and August deadlines however, it is advisable to apply by June. This allows your application to stay in the top of the pile and also allows you time to be considered for a scholarship for your Masters.

Winter Quarter

The Winter quarter starts from January and ends in Mid-March. To apply for the Winter Quarter, you must submit your US college admissions application by October of the previous year. Some colleges remain open for students to submit their admissions application till November or even December but we encourage students to apply as soon as possible. 

Spring Quarter

The Spring quarter starts in April and ends in June with admissions typically open till the end of January of the same year. It is advisable to apply early to avail financial and scholarship options.

Summer Quarter

The Summer Quarter is the shortest of all quarters and lasts just about 10 weeks. Typically, this quarter starts in July and ends in late August. The Summer Quarter is split into two sessions, Summer Session-I and Summer Session –II, both lasting 4-5 weeks.

Some universities are not open for admissions during summer quarter. However, this is dependent on the individual college/university and it is advised to check with the university to understand their admission process.

Comparing the US university semester intake & quarterly admissions systems

While each system has its pros and cons, Indian students looking to study in the US typically choose the intake system. It allows students the time to build connections with students they share classes with as well as opening up more internship and post-study work opportunities. The quarter system, though less popular, can benefit students who want shorter breaks between each quarter and shorter class durations. 

Confused? Talk to an ubergrad counselor. We’re here to help.