Spring Intake in USA
The January or Spring intake is just around the corner, and if you are interested in this intake season, this blog by MSM Unify is the perfect read for you!
The January / Spring intake in USA is regarded as the secondary intake season as it follows the fall or the primary intake season when a large number of students compete to secure admission to their desired university. However, the Spring intake is a great opportunity for all those who were not ready or missed their chance during the fall semester.
So, if you are determined to study abroad and secure a bright future for yourself, dive in to gather key information on the January intake.
The 3 Primary Intakes in the USA
There are mainly three intakes in the USA, viz, Spring, Fall, and Summer. Of these three study abroad intakes, fall intake is the most popular choice and summer intake is the least popular choice amongst international students.
The following table gives a brief overview of these three intake seasons.
| Intakes | Duration | Application Timeline |
| Spring | January to April | July to December |
| Fall | September to December | November to May |
| Summer | May to August | January to March |
What is January / Spring intake in USA?
The January intake is popularly known as the Spring intake as well, while the January intakes in countries like the UK and Canada are referred to as Winter intakes. Since our focus is on the spring intake, we will be restricting ourselves purely to USA intakes in this blog.
The spring intake or the secondary intake happens every year in the USA in January. In this period, new students enroll at their universities for the latter part of the academic year. Consequently, these students complete their degrees a semester later than those who commenced their studies in September (fall semester). Classes for the spring intake commence in January and conclude in April.
Why should you choose the spring intake of 2024?
Spring intake presents an excellent opportunity for students worldwide who wish to study abroad in the US, leverage state-of-the-art educational facilities, and ensure a lucrative career in the future.
So, here are listed key reasons why you should consider the spring intake 2024.
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Another shot at success!
If you missed the fall intake for some reason, the spring intake is your shot at success! This is a great opportunity to try securing admission to the desired course at a recognized university, without wasting the entire year.
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Comparatively less competition
As observed, most students try to secure admission to a foreign university during the fall intake. So, the spring intake being the secondary intake season, the competition is reduced significantly. If you prepare yourself well, you can use this situation to your benefit!
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More preparation time
Applying for the spring intake gives you more time to prepare for standardized tests like GRE, GMAT, etc., and English proficiency tests like IELTS, TOEFL, etc.
These tests are highly competitive. By getting more time to study, you have better chances to overcome your weaknesses and score well on the actual test.
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Smaller-class size
In a spring intake, you will be joining the college during the second half of the academic year. As a result, you are likely to experience a smaller batch size and thus a higher teacher-to-student ratio. This will help you to get personalized guidance from your teachers and learn better.
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No need to defer
As an Indian student, the fall intake might require you to defer until the next academic year. But, with the spring intake, you might need to defer to only another semester.
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Gain more experience
By opting for the spring intake, you can leverage more internship opportunities, part-time jobs, and projects to gain more hands-on experience.
Also read: All You Need to Know About 2024 Intakes in Canada
Top Universities and Programs Offering Spring Intake in US 2024
| Name of the institution | QS Global Ranking 2024 | Popular programs | Average annual tuition fees |
| Duke University | 57 | – Master’s in Biomedical Engineering
– Master’s in Political Science – Master’s in Mechanical Engineering, etc. |
$31,992 approx. |
| Purdue University | 99 | – MS in Computer Science
– MS in Mechanical engineering – MS in Biological Sciences, etc. |
$30,000 – $40,000 approx. |
| Arizona State University (ASU) | 179 | – MS in Biological Data Science
– MA in Communication Studies – MA in English – MS in Psychology, etc. |
$34,290 approx. |
| Northeastern University | 375 | – MS in Business Analytics
– MS in Biotechnology – MS in Human Resource Management, etc. |
$40,000 – $50,000 approx. |
| George Mason University | 951-1000 | – MS in Electronic Engineering
– MS in Data Analytics – MS in Computer Science |
$30,000 – $37,000 approx. |
| Florida Atlantic University | 1201-1400 | – MS in Data Science
– MS in Computer Science – MS in Electrical Engineering, etc. |
$19,000 – $25,000 approx. |
| Cleveland State University | 1201-1400 | – MS in Computer Science
– MS in Civil Engineering – MS in Information Systems, etc. |
$30,000 – $45,000 approx. |
Also read: Decoding UK Intakes 2024
Scholarships in USA
There are several scholarships available for international students aiming for the Spring intake of 2024 in the United States. These scholarships present a great opportunity for promising students with strong academic and extracurricular backgrounds to pursue top-notch education in the US without having to worry about the financial burden.
The scholarships available in the US are based on various factors as follows.
- Merit-based Scholarships for exceptional students
These are further categorized as:
a. Academic Scholarships
b. Sports Scholarships
- Need-based Scholarships for students coming from financially weaker sections
- Country-based Scholarships for students aspiring to study in that particular country
- Government-funded Scholarships
- University Scholarships for bright students wanting to study in that particular university
With numerous categories of scholarships available, you need to research scholarships meticulously and apply for the ones that you are eligible for. Here are some popular scholarships for the Spring 2024 Intake in the USA.
- Fulbright-Nehru Fellowships
- Inlaks Shivdasani Foundation Scholarships
- Tata Scholarships for Cornell University
- Aga Khan Foundation International Scholarship Program
- Joint Japan/World Bank Graduate Scholarship Program
Application Process for the 2024 January Intake in US Universities
If you are aiming for the Spring intake of 2024, you must follow certain key steps to make it to a recognized university to pursue the desired degree.
- The first step is to do a thorough research of universities offering relevant courses for the Spring Intake 2024. From the available options, narrow down your research based on location, university ranking, program structure, budget, Scholarships, internship opportunities, etc.
- Next, prepare and attempt the standardized entrance exams, including English Proficiency tests like the GRE, GMAT, SAT, TOEFL, IELTS, etc. Aim to score high on these tests.
- Keep a tab on the deadlines and send duly filled applications to the shortlisted universities. Make sure you have all the required documents including academic transcripts, entrance exam scores, SOP, LoR, etc. in place.
- Track your application status. If you receive acceptance letters, respond to the university in which you desire to secure admission.
- The next step is to apply for financial aid including scholarships, university grants, etc. Also, Apply for an F1 Student Visa to be eligible for pursuing the requisite course in the destination country.
- Once you have your student visa and an updated passport, book your flight tickets and start making arrangements for your study-abroad expedition!
Visa requirements in USA
Student visa application is one of the most crucial stages that you need to accomplish in order to study in USA. Here is a list of critical documents that you would need for the visa application process.
- Duly-filled visa application form
- Valid passport
- Unconditional offer letter from the chosen university
- Application fee payment receipt
- Passport-size photographs
- CV
- Statement of purpose for US Student visa
- Official academic transcripts
- Standardized test scores
- English language proficiency proof
- Medical certificate, etc.
Please note: Visit the official website for the US student visa application for the precise list of documents.
Overseas education is a transformative life experience that needs to be planned for and worked out meticulously. If you are determined to study abroad and elevate your career to greater heights, you must give your best shot in preparing for the study-abroad journey.
In order to prepare comprehensively and leave no stone unturned, reach out to MSM Unify- the best study-abroad consultants who have helped 1,50,000+ students achieve their overseas education dreams so far.
MSM Unify Counselors can guide you in crafting an impeccable study plan, help you choose the right course and university, and guide you in acing the entrance exams, fulfilling the admission requirements, and making it to the desired destination.
So, talk to MSM Unify counselors today and get ready to embark on a rewarding study-abroad journey in 2024!
FAQs
- What is January Intake 2024?
January Intake 2024 or Spring Intake 2024 refers to American universities that are set to begin their courses between January to May 2024. January Intake is referred to as the Winter Intake in the UK and Canada, which typically starts in January and concludes around March.
- When should I start applying for the Spring Intake 2024 in the USA?
The spring intake deadlines for the US are typically in the last week of October or the first week of November. However, some universities have their deadlines until December. So, check for the deadlines and start applying soon!
- Is spring intake good in the United States?
Spring Intake makes a good choice for students aspiring to make it to American universities if they missed an opportunity during the fall intake for some reason. During the spring semester, the competition is less, and the acceptance rate for several universities is better.
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