Spring Intake in the USA: A Guide for Nepali Students
The USA is a dream destination for many international students and Nepali students are no exception because of the top-notch education system, diverse culture and endless opportunities that are available there. So, it's definitely no wonder how so many of us aim to study there. And, if you have researched the admission process in the USA, you will have generally noticed two intakes which are the Fall and the Spring Intake. While the Fall intake is the go-to option for most students, the Spring intake is also a fantastic choice that comes with its own perks and this guide talks exactly about that because if you’re thinking about applying for the Spring intake in the USA, here’s what you need to know.
What is the Spring Intake?
In the USA, the academic year usually kicks off with two main intakes which are Fall which is usually in August and September and Spring which usually takes place in January. The Spring intake which is also called the January intake lets students start their studies in the second semester and even though it’s not as popular as the Fall intake, the Spring intake offers a great deal of flexibility for those who missed the Fall deadline or need a bit more time to get everything in order before going to America.
Advantages of the Spring Intake
One of the best things about the Spring intake is the extra time you get to prepare where you can use the extra time to ace your standardized tests like the SAT, GRE, GMAT or your language proficiency exams like IELTS, TOEFL or PTE-A. Other things like sorting out your finances and securing scholarships during this added time can also help you greatly.
Since there are fewer students for the Spring intake, the class sizes become smaller which points to more one-on-one time with professors and better interaction with your classmates.
As mentioned above, there are fewer students in the spring intake which means fewer applicants. So you can put your mind a bit more at ease knowing that the admissions process for the Spring intake can be slightly less competitive as admissions committees have more time to thoroughly review each application which could increase your chances of getting accepted.
Starting in the Spring can give you more flexibility with your courses as you can knock out some prerequisites in the Spring semester and then dive into advanced courses in the Fall that ultimately make your course load easier to manage.
Challenges of the Spring Intake
While universities offer many programs for the Spring intake, some might limit certain courses or specializations to the Fall so it’s very important to check it beforehand.
Some internship and job recruitment cycles are more in sync with the Fall intake which means Spring starters might miss out on certain opportunities but don’t worry too much and research beforehand.
Starting out in Spring might make it a bit more difficult for you to join a group of students who’ve already been together for a semester and this could make social integration a bit trickier. But again, you don't really have to worry too much because universities usually have orientation programs and student support services to help you settle down.
Application Process for Spring Intake
The application process for the Spring intake is pretty similar to that of the Fall intake, but the deadlines are different. Here’s a rough timeline to help you stay on track:
Start looking into universities and programs that offer Spring intake options during the months of January to March while also paying close attention to details like program availability, admission requirements and deadlines.
The next step is to complete your standardized tests which you will have to send to your chosen universities and this can usually be done between March and June.
You can spend the months of June to August collecting all the necessary documents like transcripts, letters of recommendation, your statement of purpose and financial documentation which you will have to submit to the university you plan to study in.
From August to October, you will spend your time completing and submitting your applications before the deadlines while making sure to track your application status in all universities and responding quickly to any requests that are sent your way.
You need to apply for scholarships and financial aid as soon as possible.
Once you get your admission letter, start applying for your student visa and schedule your visa interview while getting all your documents in order.
Finally, make your travel arrangements, find housing and get ready for your departure to the USA which typically happens in late December or early January.
Conclusion
The Spring intake in the USA is a solid option for Nepali students looking to start their studies with a bit more flexibility and while there are some challenges like limited program availability and possible internship timing issues, the benefits also make it a great choice. We wish you all the best with whatever intake you choose!
