There are mainly two most popular intakes in USA, which are Fall and Spring. This country follows a bi-semester system where an academic session is divided into two semesters. Some universities offer Summer intakes too. Students planning to begin their education must choose between one of the US intakes, and this blog provides all the important details about them. Here, you will also learn about the deadlines, duration, document checklist, and top universities for intakes. Read on!
Table of Contents
As mentioned earlier, there are 3 intakes in USA: Fall, Spring, and Summer. Though the fall intake is the most popular and competitive, it begins in late August or early September. The spring and summer are other intakes offered in many universities in the USA. Let’s take a look further and know more about them.
This is the most sought-after intake chosen by international candidates, including Indians. It runs from September to December and accounts for approximately 70% of the admission rate in the USA academic year. You can find a wide range of programs available, scholarships and funding, in this intake, and various part-time work opportunities in USA during your studies.
Key Advantages of Fall Intake in the USA Are:
The spring intake in USA generally begins from January to May, but application starts from October or November. It is the second preferred option for students and best for those who missed their fall intake. Although you will find fewer universities and course availability, competition in this term also decreases for you.
Key Advantages of Spring Intake in USA Are:
Among the 3 intakes in USA, summer is the least common, typically for short-term and specialized programs. It typically starts around May to August, with at least courses being offered and universities as well for admission. In summer, you may find program availability in engineering, healthcare, and IT with at least financial aid assistance.
Key Advantages of Summer Intake in the USA Are:
Finally, you have taken a clear idea about major intakes in USA. Now, it is time to know the factors that influence these and how you can choose the best session for your education.
Several factors affect a candidate’s choice regarding the US intakes. You must know about them if you are going to study in this country. A few of them are:
These were some of the factors that may influence the USA intakes. Hopefully, you are clear with all. Now the best part of these intakes is the duration and deadlines, which may help you know when you can apply for your admission. Let’s read about it further.
For the major intakes in USA, there are different time and deadlines set in most universities. The table below sheds light on the duration and application timelines when the applications are open in the USA universities.
| USA Intakes | Timeline of the Application | Applications open | Notes |
| Spring | Between January and May | Between July and December | Primary intake, offering the widest selection of courses and often more job and internship opportunities |
| Summer | Starts from May | Between January and March | Secondary intake, with a more limited course selection than Fall. Good option for those who need more time to prepare applications |
| Fall | Between September and December | Between November and May | Less competitive intake, often offering fewer courses, such as specialized or vocational programs |
With the above table, you are clear about the duration and deadlines for different intakes in USA. Now, we will help you explore the top universities for all three of these intakes.
Many top universities provide fall, spring, and summer intakes in USA for international students, including Stanford, MIT, Cambridge, Harvard, and Yale. In the following table, you can find the list of some institutions with their respective intakes.
Note that not all programs are available for each intake at the US universities. Thus, you should explore the official website for each institution and apply for admission accordingly.
To apply for the different intakes in USA, the document checklist plays a crucial part. In the following details, we have provided you with a list that you may consider while applying for admission.
Academic documents
Standardized test scores
Application materials
Other important documents
Selecting the right intake is the major decision for students when they apply to any university. Through this article, you have explored the various intakes in USA along with their duration, deadlines, and a list of top universities. Now that you already know the documents required for admission, you must start your preparation for the application from now on, based on your preferences. In case you find any difficulty in the process, you can consult with study abroad consultants. They will help you get into the university in your desired intake and complete the procedure as soon as possible.
The most popular intake in the USA is the Fall, which typically starts in August or September. This is because most universities offer the widest selection of programs, courses, and financial aid opportunities when the academic year begins.
You should apply for the fall 2026 intake in the USA during the application window that runs from August 2025 to March 2026, with specific deadlines ranging from November 2025 (for early applications) to February/March 2026 (for regular applications). Applications usually open around August or September 2025. It is best to start the application process, including preparing documents and taking standardized tests, 12-15 months before the intake.
Yes, spring intake can be a good option for international students if they need more time to prepare for applications, exams, or visas, or if they want smaller classes and less competition. However, it is often less competitive than the fall intake, but may have fewer program options and scholarships, and can be more expensive in terms of living costs.
Yes, you can apply for multiple intakes in the same year, especially for institutions in the USA that have several application cycles like Fall, Spring, and Summer. But, you must check the specific policies for each university, as programs may not be available in all intakes, and some institutions might have different requirements for each application.
Yes, you can defer your admission to the next intake in the USA, but you have to follow a formal process that involves contacting both the university and your Designated School Official. You will need to request an admission deferral from the university, and if you have an F-1 visa or have an I-20 form, a separate immigration deferral from your DSO.
We are available in :
BangaloreAhmedabadJaipurHyderabadKeralaPuneChandigarhMumbaiGurgaonChennaiKolkataTrivandrumNoidaKochiCalicutKottayamKollamThrissurIndoreUdaipurdisclaimer:logos and other registered trademarks of universities used on this platform are held by their respective owners. Gradding does not claim ownership or association on them, and their use is purely for informational and illustrative purposes.
