The spring intake in the United States of America (USA) is also called the January intake. It is the second-most popular intake for the students after the primary Fall or September intake. The fall intake usually covers September to December or early January every year. The spring intake in the USA is the period between January and May.
Summer intake is the least popular intake and covers the entire stretch between May and August. Students prefer the fall intake for MS in the USA, and if they miss out in the fall, they choose the spring intake.
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Spring intake in the USA- Top Universities
Many universities offer courses and admissions during the spring intake. Here is the list of universities in the USA offering spring admissions for some of their popular courses:
- Yale University (Biomedical Engineering, Natural Sciences, Physics and Geosciences)
- Harvard University (Earth and Marine Science, Geology and Geophysics, Social Policy and Administration, English Language & Literature)
- The University of Central Florida (Psychology, Biology, Nursing)
- The University of Massachusetts (Biological and Biomedical Sciences, Marketing, Journalism, Psychology)
- The University of Illinois (Engineering, Social Sciences, Psychology, Veterinary Science)
- Massachusetts Institute of Technology or MIT (Econometrics, Space Engineering, Physics, Bioengineering and Biomedical Engineering)
- Pace University (Visual and Performing Arts, Marketing, Management)
- Washington State University (Medicine, Pharmacy, Social Sciences)
- The University of Colorado (Computer and Information Sciences, Journalism, Engineering)
- San Francisco State University (Business, Ethnic Studies, Liberal and Creative Arts)
- Nova Southeastern University (Osteopathic Medicine, Law, Sociology)
- Temple University (Engineering, Biological and Biomedical Sciences, Visual and Performing Arts)
- San Jose State University (Computer Science, Software Engineering, Engineering Management)
- The University of Maryland (Finance, Mechanical Engineering, Econometrics and Quantitative Economics)
- University of Arkansas (Business, Management, Engineering, Fitness and Kinesiology)
- The University of Memphis (Public Health, Psychology, Mass Communication)
- George Mason University (Academic English, Anthropology, Homeland Security, Computer and Information Sciences)
- The University of Connecticut (Economics, Finance, General Psychology)
- Eastern Washington University (Computer and Information Sciences, Psychology, Biological and Biomedical Sciences)
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How to opt for spring intake in the USA?
You must note that most universities have either December or January to February as their deadline. A few universities, like Columbia University, even have October deadlines for master’s programs. You must check the official websites of your chosen universities for information regarding the spring intake deadlines and apply accordingly.
Eligibility Guidelines
The USA spring intake is ideal for those who have missed out in the fall. The season starts in January and concludes early in May. The deadlines for applying will usually be anywhere between July and September. You must scrutinize the eligibility criteria across various institutions while noting the documents needed. Typically, the documents that the US universities need include:
- Official academic transcripts.
- GMAT or GRE scores.
- Transcripts for the last qualifying test.
- TOEFL, IELTS or PTE scores.
- Two to three letters of recommendation (LORs).
- CV or Resume.
- Essay and SOP (Statement of Purpose).
- A valid passport.
- Certificates of all internships, co-curricular activities, etc.
- Passport-sized photographs.
- Details of work experience if applicable.
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Where should you apply?
The spring intake is prevalent for undergraduate and MS courses, since leading universities take applications majorly at this time. You should always apply to the best institutions in the spring intake. Shortlist universities that offer your preferred courses, and check the university’s eligibility criteria on its official website. You must directly apply on the official websites of these institutions, submitting all required documents.
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Benefits of spring intake
The spring intake has several benefits (besides the lovely weather and the vacations). Here’s a closer look at the benefits:
- The spring intake will give you more time to work on your academic preferences.
- You will gain some valuable time and space for analyzing your educational decision.
- You can take this time to prepare yourself thoroughly for any relocation, including applying for a study visa and other formalities.
- Although the count of universities offering courses in the spring is less, it will always give you a chance to save one year while enrolling in a recognized institution.
- Meritorious students may use this time to wrap up their degrees in a shorter time span and move towards achieving the next goal.
- Class size is smaller during the spring intake, so the ratio of teachers to students is more favorable.
- Spring intake students are clubbed with those from the fall intake, giving them a chance to interact and learn from more experienced peers.
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How to apply at universities in the spring intake?
Here are the steps that you should keep in mind:
- Start your applications by April and May, since the procedure will require some time. You should begin narrowing down institutions offering admissions in the spring and select those where you are eligible. Start your homework on the admission procedure, the standardized exams you need to sit for, and the required documents.
- Check the official university website for the tests you will need, like GRE, GMAT, TOEFL or IELTS.
- Start applying to your chosen colleges in August and September while sending all necessary documents alongside – LORs, SOPs, and other paperwork.
- By October and November, you will start getting replies from these institutions. Once you obtain your official acceptance letter, you will be asked to pay your admission deposit, which is non-refundable.
- You must apply for the student visa and education loan by year-end.
- Purchase your flight tickets by end-January of the following year, since it will be time for you to move to the country soon.
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Scholarships available for the spring intake
Here are some scholarships available to the students applying for the spring intake:
- Dream Big- This is available for any student attending a university in the USA. The amount is $1,000 or INR 74,860 (approx), and a scholarship essay is crucial.
- FormSwift Scholarship Program- This has the same $1,000 or INR 74,860 amount. Those currently in college can apply for the scholarship. An infographic of a business plan is needed to avail it.
- Richard Holland Memorial Scholarship- $2,500 or INR 1,87,153 (approx) is granted under this scholarship to eligible undergraduate students. The deadline is usually 15th March. A video essay is needed for applying.
- Stewart J. Guss College Scholarship- The scholarship money is $1,000 or INR 74,860. The scholarship is open for present and aspiring college-goers. The GPA should be at least 3 or more, while an infographic is also required.
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Exams during this intake
The examinations that you should consider for this intake are the following:
It all depends upon the specific eligibility guidelines at leading universities and colleges in the USA.
Myths about the spring intake
There are several myths and wrong perceptions about spring intake in the USA. Here’s taking a look at the same:
- Spring intake always has low-ranked educational programs: It is a big myth about the USA spring intake. The courses may be comparatively lower in comparison to the fall intake; however, they are still offered by top institutions in the country and are taught by skilled and experienced faculty members. The education system in the USA is tailored in a way that the quality of learning and curriculum stays the same irrespective of the intake or admission season.
- Tougher to get admission during the spring intake: This is another myth that students should not be scared of. The difficulty is always at the same level for all admission intakes in the USA, including the fall.
- Internships are not there during the spring intake: This is another wrong perception that internships are non-existent during the spring intake. Students can readily choose from multiple internships at this time. They are only slightly lower in number than the intake for fall.
- Issues with visas- Another myth about the USA spring intake is that it is near-impossible to obtain the student F-1 visa in this period. Visas are granted based on the eligibility of the applicant and their qualifications.
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Frequently Asked Questions
The spring intake is the secondary USA intake. It is usually seen during the January to May period. Those missing the intake for fall may apply for the spring intake likewise. The number of courses is slightly lower, but many institutions still provide admissions to international applicants. Those who have missed the fall intake between September and December can apply for this intake. It is followed by the summer intake that begins in May. To get an idea, you should look at the official websites of your chosen institutions. The average deadlines may range between July and December of the preceding year. You should carefully note each application deadline and then complete the process before the final deadline. Make it a point to allocate some extra time for standardized examinations and gather your documentation in advance. GRE is often required by many universities and colleges in the USA for the admission of international students. However, owing to the current pandemic scenario, the requirement for GRE has been waived off for all applicants at several USA universities right till spring 2022, as per reports. Do check the official websites of your chosen universities for more information in this regard. You can still submit your GRE score, but it may not be required. Many universities in the USA have started accepting the Duolingo English Test as official proof of proficiency in the English language. If the university allows it, you can submit scores in the Duolingo test instead of appearing for the IELTS, PTE, or TOEFL iBT. This online test usually requires 60 minutes, and the results are available swiftly for students. This helps them process the admission formalities faster. You should start applying early and finish everything by September or October of the preceding year. Hence, for the spring 2023 intake, you should complete all your application formalities by October 2022 at the most. Some institutions may have application deadlines that are even earlier. Check all the official websites carefully before applying. The spring semester is the one between January and May. This is the second intake period. The most popular intake period is the fall intake, and it is between September and December in most cases. The spring intake comes before the summer intake that commences from May. The number of courses is limited during this time.When is spring intake in the USA?
What is the deadline for spring 2022 in the USA?
Is GRE required for MS in the USA for spring 2022?
Is Duolingo accepted in the USA for spring 2022?
When should I start applying for spring 2023?
What is the fall and spring semester in the US?
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