The USA is one of the primary study abroad destinations among international students, and the reasons for the same are more than one. The country has an array of reputable universities that are a constant presence in several national and international rankings. There are three popular intakes to study in the USA. The Spring or January intake, Summer or May intake, and Fall or September intake.
Which are the popular intakes in the USA for international students? Do you know which are the USA intakes 2024?
If you are planning to study in the USA, you should be aware of the major intakes that the country offers. This will help you plan ahead and arrange everything accordingly. If you wish to learn more about intakes in the USA, you can read the blog completely.
Intakes in the USA
As mentioned previously, there are three popular intakes in the USA; the Spring, Summer and Fall intake. As we thought it would be helpful for you to get an idea about the average timelines of these intakes, we have tabulated the average timelines of these popular intakes below for your ease of reference.
Intake |
Timeline of the Application |
Application Open |
Spring/January Intake |
January - May |
July - December |
Summer/May Intake |
Starts from May |
January - March |
Fall/September Intake |
September - December |
November - May |
Spring Intake in the USA (January - May)
The Spring intake in the USA starts in January and ends in May. The timeline counts to an average of five months or 22 weeks a year. This is the second preferred intake to study in the USA.
Benefits of Spring Intake in the USA
- Higher chance of getting university admission.
- Several 1-year and 2-year Diploma courses are available.
- Several part-time and internship options are offered.
- You can apply for this intake if you lost the previous intake.
- Increased staff support available.
- You get more preparation time for English proficiency tests.
- The application and visa processing time is reduced due to less competition.
List of Universities in the USA for Spring/January Intake
There is a list of top universities that offer Spring intake in the USA. As we thought it would be beneficial for you to get a list of these universities, we have tabulated the same below.
Name of University |
QS Ranking 2024 |
University of Kansas |
410 |
Cornell University |
13 |
Western Michigan University |
1001-1200 |
Arizona State University |
179 |
Brown University |
73 |
Kent State University |
1001-1200 |
Iowa State University |
400 |
Northeastern University |
375 |
University of South California |
– |
University of New Haven |
– |
Contact AECC for FREE assistance to study abroad! |
Summer Intake in the USA
The Summer intake in the USA begins in May and ends in August. This is the shortest of all the intakes in the USA, with limited universities offering admission. The timeline is four months or 20 weeks to one year.
Benefits of Summer Intake in the USA
- If you missed the Spring or Fall intakes, you can apply for this intake.
- Non-native English speakers will benefit from language programs that last two or three months.
- There will be much less competition.
- More language and cultural programs are offered in this intake.
List of Universities in the USA for Summer/May Intake
Though the number of universities offering the Summer intake in the USA is less, you will find that there are quite a few reputed universities to choose from. We have tabulated these universities below for your consideration.
Name of University |
QS Ranking 2024 |
University of Florida |
168 |
New York University |
38 |
Virginia State University |
– |
Delaware Valley University |
– |
University of Houston |
641-650 |
University of Illinois at Chicago |
323 |
University of New Mexico |
631-640 |
Stockton University |
– |
University of Texas at Austin |
58 |
Florida Atlantic University |
1201-1400 |
Looking for expert study abroad assistance? Contact AECC! |
Fall Intake in the USA
The Fall intake in the USA starts in September and ends in December. The total timeline is four months or 18 weeks a year. Also known as the Autumn intake, this is the primary and most popular intake in the USA.
Benefits of Fall Intake in the USA
- The Fall intakes in the USA are considered the best intakes due to their offering of more courses and scholarships.
- There are better on-campus and off-campus job opportunities.
- Funding and financial aid are easily available.
- It marks the beginning of the academic year.
- Sports and extracurricular activities are available.
- More research and training jobs are offered.
List of Universities in the USA for Fall/September Intake
As mentioned previously, the Fall or Autumn intake is the most popular intake in the USA. As such, there are several universities that offer admission to several study programs. A few popular universities and their rankings are tabulated below.
Name of University |
QS Ranking 2024 |
MIT |
1 |
Stanford University |
5 |
Harvard University |
4 |
University of Illinois, Chicago |
323 |
Princeton University |
17 |
Columbia University |
23 |
University of Pennsylvania |
12 |
Yale University |
16 |
Duke University |
57 |
California Institute of Technology |
15 |
Perfect Timeline to Apply for the Intakes in the USA
One of the first rules before applying to any university in the USA is to plan ahead, arrange the documents, attempt the English proficiency test, and get your visa on time. The general timeline to apply for intakes in the USA is given below.
- Most intake applications open by the mid of December and by January. As such, you can get ready by taking the English proficiency test or any other tests, SOP, LOR, etc.
- By September and the end of October, you can arrange funds, apply for scholarships, and the like.
- If applications are open by November or mid-December, you can apply with the necessary documents.
- Respond to the university emails and attend the interview.
- Apply to the university.
- Book your flight ticket.
- Get a globally accepted credit or debit card.
- Pack your bags and fly.
When you plan to study abroad, it is important to plan ahead and have all the documents handy. One of the first decisions you need to make is regarding the intake. There are three major intakes in the USA, and you can make the necessary arrangements only after you decide on the intake to apply for. We have included all the information about the topic. If you have any further questions or doubts, you can contact AECC. We have expert counsellors to guide you through the entire process of Studying in the USA. Do not hesitate to contact us for FREE assistance.
FAQs
How many intakes are there for the USA?
There are three major intakes in the USA, Spring, Summer and Fall intake.
What is January intake called in the USA?
The January intake in the USA is also called the Spring intake.
What is the Fall intake in the USA?
The Fall intake starts in September and ends in December. Also known as the Autumn intake, this is the most popular intake in the USA.
When to apply for September 2024 intake in the USA?
You can apply for the September 2024 intake from November to May.
Can I apply for January intake in the USA?
Yes, you can apply for the January intake in the USA, and the application will be open from July to December.