Upcoming Intakes in USA 2025-26 for Indian Students
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When planning to study in USA, the biggest question is which is the best intake in USA for admissions? While Fall is most preferred, there are some exceptions. Whereas, a few courses accept applications for the Spring semester as well. But most of the time, the semester available is not a choice as most of the popular and important courses commence only with the Fall semester. The Fall intake in the USA is popular because the scholarships and financial aid are aimed at this semester. In case students miss out on Fall intake deadlines, they have the option to apply for the Spring intake in the USA. Check out the article to understand the two major intakes in USA followed across all US universities, and which one is better?
- Admission Intakes in USA
- Duration of Intakes in USA
- Upcoming Intakes in USA 2025-26 Deadlines
- Top US Universities Offering Admission in Spring & Fall Intakes
- Which Intake Season to Choose: Fall or Spring?
- Difference Between Fall Intake & Spring Intake in the USA
- Two main intake seasons of US Universities FAQs
Admission Intakes in USA
There are two admission intakes in USA - Fall and Spring. Where admissions for Fall intake happen beofre the Spring intake. Here is a detailed analysis:
Fall Intake in USA
The Fall intake in USA is the most sought-after intake by overseas students, especially Indians.
- The fall season in the USA runs from September to December and accounts for 70% of the total admission rate in an academic year in the USA.
- Fall intake offers a wide range of courses in the majority of fields and at all levels of study. Some of the most popular programs are engineering, business, computer science, law, medicine, social sciences, and humanities.
- Also, maximum funding is available in Fall intake like different types of scholarships, assistantships, fellowships, and grants. Since all major universities offer admissions this time, maximum funding is allocated in the starting of the academic year.
Spring Intake in USA
The Spring intake in the USA admission process starts in October, and the semester generally begins in January. Students who defer their applications from Fall can enroll in this intake.
- The application period for the USA's Spring intake usually starts in October or November.
- This intake allows more time for students to prepare for their applications, standardised and English proficiency tests along with time for student visa applications.
- Usually, the number of courses available and scholarship slots is relatively smaller as compared to the Fall intake.
- Class sizes are smaller in the Spring intake, which can result in more individualised attention from faculty members.
Duration of Intakes in USA
The following table throws light on the intakes of USA and the duration, along with the application timelines and when the applications open:
| USA Intakes | Timeline of the Application | Applications open |
|---|---|---|
| Spring intake in USA | Between January and May | Between July and December |
| Summer intake in USA | Starts from May | Between January and March |
| Fall intake in USA | Between September and December | Between November and May |
Applicants dedicing on application to any of the two intakes can keep this timeline data handy.
Upcoming Intakes in USA 2025-26 Deadlines
More details on each of the intakes in USA are as follows for international students' reference:
- Fall semester: Since the fall intake begins in the previous year's months of September and December in the USA, it takes almost a year for the admission process to be completed. At present Fall intake admissions are going on for 2025.
- Spring semester: The spring semester starts in January and ends in May. Hence, the spring intake admissions in the USA begin in October or November 2025 for this year.
- Summer semester: This intake is for select programs and courses and typically begins in May every year. The 2025 intake is over; applicants can apply next year.
There are two major intakes in the USA - Spring and Fall. Additionally, a Summer intake is available for those seeking short-term courses rather than long-term ones.
NOTE: Fall intake student visa interviews were halted on May 27, 2025. Check out, How Temporary US Student Visa Interview Freeze Affecting Indian Students?
Top US Universities Offering Admission in Spring & Fall Intakes
Check out the top 10 US universities offering admission to international students in Fall and Spring intake:
| Top US Universities Offering Admission in Fall Intake | Top US Universities Offering Admission in Spring Intake |
|---|---|
| Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) | Cornell University |
| Stanford University | Rice University |
| Yale University | Case Western Reserve University |
| University of Pennsylvania | New Jersey Institute of Technology |
| Princeton University | Brown University |
| Columbia University | Purdue University |
| CalTech | Iowa State University |
| George Mason University | Northeastern University |
| University of South Florida | University of Texas |
| University of Kansas | University of Arizona |
Please note, that not all courses may be available for a particular intake, thus, applicants should be aware of the course intake and then apply for admissions accordingly.
Which Intake Season to Choose: Fall or Spring?
Confused about when to begin applying for admission to US universities? Check out the following details on which intake season to choose - spring or fall?
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- If you are aiming at the Fall semester, you should start your research in April. Then around June, you should finish the exams required for admission. For the rest of the months, you can devote time to writing essays, SOP, LOR, CV, etc.
- However, if you are planning to apply for the Spring intake in the USA, then research should be done around April, and the exam should be dealt with by June.
- The fall season is the popular choice for study abroad aspirants as the choice of universities is wide as most all the universities open their admission in the Fall intake of USA.
- Another reason for Fall being popular is that students who go in spring intake do not get the chance to intern in the immediate summer break, i.e. in May, as they need to complete at least 9 months in full-time academics. Students in the spring season join the programme in January, whereas those in the Fall join in September, so they are eligible to undergo an internship programme.
- Finally, applicants must know the US university admission deadlines and decide if the preferred course is available in Fall or Spring intake and then take a call for applying to the university.
Check out: High Acceptance Rates Universities in the USA
Difference Between Fall Intake & Spring Intake in the USA
Given below are some of the factors that students must consider before choosing the intake in the universities of USA.
| Factors |
Fall Intake in USA |
Spring Intake in USA |
|---|---|---|
| Scholarships |
During the fall intake in the USA, students can get scholarship opportunities. This semester also has an upper hand when it comes to networking with other students |
In this intake, there are fewer scholarship opportunities available for students. This is because most of the funding is availed at the start of an academic year |
| Courses Options |
Universities offer a wide range of course options in the fall intake |
Comparatively, a limited number of courses are available in the Spring intake |
| Internship Opportunities |
Students can apply for internships during the fall intake. This is because, during the fall intake, students meet the 9 months of full-time academic criteria before applying |
Students in the Spring semester in the US somehow face the eligibility problem of meeting the 9-month eligibility criteria before working as an intern |
| Post-study work opportunities |
Many job options are available for students who are enrolled in the fall semester as the placement drive generally starts during this time |
Few job options are available during the Spring semester because most of the positions have been filled by students from the fall semester |
| Accommodation |
Accommodations can be a hard task to find for applicants admitted in this intake. |
Accommodations can be slightly easier to find because of lower competition and admission rates. |
| Class Size |
Usually bigger |
Usually smaller |
Do you have more questions about when to apply? Comment below with your queries. For a detailed discussion, sign up for free counselling at https://studyabroad.shiksha.com/apply, and our team of counsellors will be in touch with you.
Two main intake seasons of US Universities FAQs
Q. How many intakes are there in USA?
A. Typically, there are two intakes in the US; Fall and Spring. However, there is one more intake season, the Summer semester. In total there are three intake sessions in the USA. Aspirants who are international prefer to get admission in the Fall intake. However, some applicants can choose to apply in the spring intake in case they are unable to apply for the fall intake of USA and vice versa.
Q. Which intake is best for the universities in the US?
A. If we look at this, then ideally you should begin the applications 9-12 months before the intake. The universities in the U.S. usually take 8-10 weeks for processing the applications. The fall intake is generally the preferred intake for international students. Admissions are open for spring intake as well but some courses may not be available for spring intake of USA as they are available in the fall intake session only. Thus, applicants must check their courses for application and apply accordingly in USA.
Q. What are the months for fall and spring intake in the USA?
A. The fall intake in the USA starts around September and ends in December. The spring intake in the US starts in January and continues till May. By August the admission decisions are to be accepted and students have to decide on accepting or rejecting or ever deferring their offers. By the end of August or starting of September, applicants can attend the orientation at their respective US universities and begin attending classes thereafter.
Q. Is fall intake better than Spring intake in the U.S.?
A. During the fall intake, the class sizes are larger. This means that you have a better chance of getting admitted. During the spring semester, if your profile is above spectacular, then there can be a chance of admission during the Spring intake in USA. During the fall intake of the universities in the U.S, students will have more scholarship opportunities, course options, part-time work opportunities, internship opportunities, and post-study work opportunities.
Q. Is the summer semester considered good in USA?
A. The summer semester is not the first choice of students because fall and spring semesters have more universities under the umbrella. However, the summer semester can be good if your preferred choices are available. A lot of short courses are a part of the summer intake in USA. International students who are in high school or in college willing to pursue a short course can apply for one during the summer intake of USA. Since these are short courses, their duration is not very long and hence they finish in shorter duration like a couple of days or weeks.
Q. What is January intake known in USA?
A. The Spring intake is known as January intake in the U.S. This intake starts from July and ends in November or December. All those students who have missed the fall intake in USA can take admission in this intake. Please note, some courses offered in fall intake may not be available for spring intake of USA, hence, aspirants are required to be cautious while applying for certain courses at specific US universities.
Q. Can I study in USA for the Summer intakes?
A. The Summer intakes in USA are not open for admissions to courses offered across universities in USA. However, there are short courses that are available for international students, which can be taken up like:
- Certificate courses
- Diploma courses
- Pathway programs
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Comments
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4 years ago
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5 years ago
5 years ago
Hi Anil, To answer your queries: 1. Based on your work experience in IT MNC, you should not have any troubles in transition. 2. For Spring 2020, you should have started the preparations in Mid-2019. However, if you have your GRE and IELTS scores handy (or are planning to appear for them in March),
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5 years ago
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5 years ago
5 years ago
Hi Utsav, The deadlines for January 2020 intake would have closed by last month. You may, however, try your luck in Fall 2020 Intake. Check out the step-by-step process for USA Fall 2020 Intake here https://studyabroad.shiksha.com/study-in-the-us-timeline-for-september-2020-intake-guidepage-416. Al
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6 years ago
6 years ago
Hi Krishnaveni, you may refer to this timeline to prepare step-by-step for the Fall Intake in USA https://studyabroad.shiksha.com/study-in-the-us-timeline-for-september-2020-intake-guidepage-416.