Are you preparing to study in the USA in 2025? It’s important to plan strategically so you don’t miss the application timeline for your desired program.
In this article, we’ll teach you the three major intake in USA universities and all you need to apply for each intake.
US universities accept students in three main intakes: Fall, Spring, and Summer.
The Fall or September US university intake is the primary intake and is also usually the largest intake for students. The Spring Intake starts in January, allowing you more time to prepare your application and clear your entrance requirements.
Now without further delay, let explore all there is to know about the intakes in the USA, benefits, timeline and universities and courses that will be open for your preferred intake.
|
Intake |
Application timeline |
|
Spring intake |
January to May |
|
Summer intake |
Starts around May |
|
Fall intake |
September to December |
Which intake is best for you?
Are you are confused about selecting the suitable intake? If your answer is yes, no need to worry because we’re here to give you all the information you need to consider before applying to your dream school in the US.
Below, you’ll see that we’ve taken the time to explain in details the different types of university intakes in the USA for 2025. Read this article to know the best intake for you.
Spring Intake Universities in USA 2025
Duration: January to May
The spring or Janintake in usa universities is the second preferred intake in the USA for students who want to study in the USA. It usually coincides with the spring season in the United States. Universities in the USA begin their spring intake in January or February and close in March.
It is the best option for students who miss the famous September intake and still want to meet up with the school year.
Below are some generous perks that come with applying for the spring intake in usa:
Benefits of the Spring Intake
-
Great Weather Conditions
Spring is one of the best times of the year to visit the US. Moving to the USA for your studies during the spring intake allows you to enjoy and experience favorable weather conditions.
-
Fewer Applicants
Fewer students apply for January intake in USA than fall, so there's less competition for admission and housing.
-
You can Save a Year
Students who miss the fall intake can apply and get their admission during the spring intake so they don’t have to wait another year to be admitted.
-
Smaller Class Size
The class size during the spring intake us universities is smaller because fewer applicants are admitted during the intake, making it easier for spring intake usa to have better access to their professors.
-
Opportunity to connect with more experienced students
Students who study in the US during the spring intake are usually grouped in classes with older students from the fall intake. This gives them the chance to engage with students who have better understanding of the school, program and university.
Here’s a table showing the timeline for universities for spring intake in the US
Spring Intake Timeline
|
July-August |
Research and Shortlist Universities Prepare for Tests |
|
September |
Collect and prepare all required documents such as SOP, LORs, transcripts, and resumes. |
|
October |
Complete and submit your applications to the shortlisted universities. |
|
November |
Check the status of your applications and send any additional documents if requested. Prepare for interviews if required by any of the universities you applied to. |
|
December |
Receive Acceptance Letters, Work on Post-Acceptance Checklist and Apply for Student Visa
|
|
December-January |
Plan your travel - Make travel arrangements, including booking flights and arranging accommodation |
Top Universities Spring Intakes
1. San Francisco University
San Francisco University, located in San Francisco CA offers reduced tuition undergrad programs in Nursing, Art, Science, and Management.
Over half of summer courses are offered online, either synchronously (via zoom) or asynchronously, so students may enroll from any location. The physical classes take place at the Hilltop Campus.
Location: San Francisco, CA
Apply to the San Fransisco University Summer sessions
2. The University of Maryland
Spring enrollment at the University of Maryland begins in late January. Students are required to submit an online application, official high school transcript, SAT or ACT result(if required), Essay, and the application fee.
Location:Maryland
Top Spring courses in the University of Maryland
- Mechanical Engineering
- Aerospace Engineering
- Computer Science Engineering
- Physics
Apply to the University of Maryland
3. University of Utah
The University of Utah offers spring masters programs in chemical engineering, computer science, finance and more. The university is located in Salt City Lake, Utah
Location: Salt City Lake, UT
Top Spring courses in the University of Utah
- Chemical Engineering
- Accounting
- Finance
- Mechanical Engineering
- Computer Science
Apply to the University of Utah
4. University of Texas in Dallas
UT Dallas offers the best spring course for students in the US. The university has a high acceptance rate of 85%.
The application deadline for the spring semester at the University of Texas at Dallas for graduate admission is May 15 and begins in January of the previous year.
Location: Richardson, TX
Top 5 Spring courses in the University of Texas in Dallas
- MS in Computer Science
- MS in Business Analytics and Artificial Intelligence
- MBA
- Project Management
Apply to the University of Texas in Dallas
5. University of Florida
The University of Florida (UF) is a public research university located in Gainesville, Florida.
The application deadline for the University of Florida's spring semester is August 31, with a file completion deadline of September 28.
Location: Gainesville, Florida
Top 5 Spring courses in the University of Florida
- MS in Computer Science
- MS in Information Systems and Operational Management
- MA History
- Artificial Intelligence Systems
Apply to the University of Florida
6. Brown University
Brown University is one of the top research institutes in the US with a graduation rate of 95%.
Location: Providence, RI
Top 5 Spring courses in Brown University
- Ethics and Politics
- History
- Egyptology
- Sociology
- Physics
7. Ohio State University
The application deadline for all required materials for freshman and transfer students is December 1.
Location: Columbus, OH
Top 5 Spring courses in Ohio State University
- Bioethics
- History of Arts
- English
- Chemical Engineering
- African American and African Studies
Apply to Ohio State University Spring Intake
8. Duke University
Duke University is a private research university in Durham, North Carolina, United States, with an acceptance rate of 6%.
Location: Durham, NC
Top 5 Spring courses in Duke University
- Math and Medicine
- Primate Sexuality
- The Art of Reading
- Creative Writing
- Special Topics in Literature
9. University of Michigan
The application deadline for spring intake at the University of Michigan is February 15th for early deadline and April 15th for extended deadline.
Location: Ann Arbor, MI
Top 5 Spring courses in the University of Michigan
- American Business Immersion Course
- Computer Science
- Mechanical Engineering
- Sports Management
- Business and the Environment
Apply to University of Michigan Spring courses
10. University of Conneticut
The University of Connecticut is a public research university with an acceptance rate of 55%.
The University of Connecticut's (UConn) application deadline for spring intake is October 1.
Location: Mansfield, CT
Top 5 Spring courses in the University of Conneticut
- Social Media Ethics
- Game Theory in the Natural and Social Sciences
- Interdisciplinary Approach to Obesity Prevention
- Microscopy in Applied Archaeobotany Research
Apply to the University of Conneticut
Summer Intake in USA 2025
Duration: May/June - August
This is the last application intake for the school year. It comes up after the fall and spring intake is over. Sometimes, it is referred to as the may intake universities in USA.
It starts around May or June and ends by August intake in usa. The major downside to this intake is that only a few universities open selected courses for application.
The courses available during the may intake in usa are usually short courses/programs which typically run for eight - twelve weeks.
Benefits of the Summer Intake
-
Shorter Courses
If you want to earn a degree in as little time as possible, summer intake is the right pick for you. Universities also offer accelerated courses that contain the same curriculum as the fall intake courses, which can help you graduate faster.
-
Smaller class size
Summer courses have smaller classes because only few students apply for summer courses so you may be able to enjoy more personalised classes and connect better with your course mates and professors.
-
Lower Tuition
Summer courses typically run for about 3 months and cost less than fall or spring courses. Universities also offer discounts on housing and tuition during the summer.
-
Internship Opportunities
In the USA, a lot of companies offer summer jobs and internship positions to students during the summer.
The experience gotten from these internships can help build your professional network and a stronger resume.
-
Less Competition
There are usually fewer applicants during the summer intake, so your chances of getting admitted during the summer are a bit higher than the other intakes.
Summer intake Timeline
If you’re planning to apply for a summer course in the U.S, it’ll do you good to familiarize yourself with the application timeline.
In the table below, we’ll highlight the most common timeline for summer intakes in the USA, from application application to traveling to the US and starting your studies.
Summer Intake Application Timeline for USA
|
April - August |
Take details of deadlines, eligibility criteria, scholarships, and shortlist universities. |
|
September - November |
Prepare for an English proficiency test. Get the requirements for your student visa fulfilled. |
|
November - January |
Check and apply for the shortlisted universities. |
|
February - March |
Shortlisted students will get mail from the university for an interview. |
|
April - May |
Start the application process for a student visa, education loan, or scholarship. |
|
May |
Plan your travel. |
Popular Summer Intake Universities
1. Florida Atlantic University
Florida Atlantic University (FAU) offers a summer intake for students, and the application deadline for the 2025 summer intake is April 1.
Summer classes are offered online and on campus in Boca Raton, Davie and Jupiter.
Location: Boca Raton, FL
Top 5 summer courses in the Florida Atlantic University
- ELECTRICAL ENGINEERING.
- MATHEMATICAL SCIENCES.
- MECHANICAL ENGINEERING.
- NURSING.
- OCEAN ENGINEERING.
Apply to the Florida Atlantic University
2. Illinois State University
Illinois State University is a top ranking public university offering a wide range of summer courses to students who want to study in America.
Location: Normal, Illinois
Top 5 summer courses in the Illinois State University
- Financial Accounting
- Business Management
- Advanced Business Analytics
- Human Biology
- Criminal Law
Apply to the Illinois State University
3. Steven’s Institute of Technology, New Jersey
Steven’s Institute of Technology offers pre-college programs for students who want to gain some academic experience before starting college.
Location: Hoboken, New Jersey
Top 5 summer courses in the University of North Texas
- Business
- Cybersecurity
- Engineering
- Pre-Med Biology
- Pre-Med Biomedical Engineering
Apply to the Steven’s Institute of Technology
4. University of California, Berkeley
The University of California, Berkeley (UC Berkeley) offers a summer intake for students. The application deadline for the 2025 summer intake is April 1st.
Location: Berkeley, CA
Top 5 summer courses at the University of California, Berkeley:
- COMPUTER SCIENCE
- BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES
- ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE
- ECONOMICS
- ENGINEERING
Apply to the University of California
5. Columbia University
Columbia University offers a summer intake for students. The application deadline for the 2025 summer intake is November 1st.
Location: New York City, NY
Top 5 summer courses at Columbia University:
- PUBLIC HEALTH
- FINANCE
- POLITICAL SCIENCE
- ARCHITECTURE
- BIOSTATISTICS
6. New York University (NYU)
New York University (NYU) offers a summer intake for students. The application deadline for the 2025 summer intake is .
Summer classes are offered online and at the NYU campuses in New York City.
Location: New York City, NY
Top 5 summer courses at New York University:
- FILM STUDIES
- ART HISTORY
- COMPUTER SCIENCE
- POLITICAL SCIENCE
- BUSINESS
7. University of Miami
The University of Miami offers a summer intake for students. The application deadline for the 2025 summer intake is April 16th.
Summer classes are available on campus in Coral Gables and some online options.
Location: Coral Gables, FL
Top 5 summer courses at the University of Miami:
- MARINE SCIENCE
- BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION
- PSYCHOLOGY
- HEALTH SCIENCES
- ENGINEERING
Apply to the University of Miami
8. Boston University
Boston University offers a summer intake for students. The application deadline for the 2025 summer intake is March 1st.
Location: Boston, MA
Top 5 summer courses at Boston University:
- BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION
- INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS
- ENGINEERING
- PSYCHOLOGY
- ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE
9. Harvard University
Harvard University offers a summer intake for students through its Summer School program. The application deadline for the 2025 summer intake is January 30th.
Location: Cambridge, MA
Top 5 summer courses at Harvard University:
- COMPUTER SCIENCE
- BIOLOGY
- LAW
- ECONOMICS
- PHILOSOPHY
Apply to Harvard Summer School
10. University of Texas at Austin
The University of Texas at Austin (UT Austin) offers a summer intake for students. The application deadline for the 2025 summer intake is December 1.
Location: Austin, TX
Top 5 summer courses at the University of Texas at Austin:
-
MECHANICAL ENGINEERING
-
ARCHITECTURE
-
COMPUTER SCIENCE
-
LAW
-
COMMUNICATION
Apply to the University of Texas at Austin
Fall Intake in USA 2025
Duration: September - January
The Fall intake usa also known as the September intake is the most popular intake of the US universities school year. The fall intake for US Universities starts in Late August/September 2024 and extends to January 2025.
It usually comes with the largest number of applicants from all over the world.
In the US Fall intake, international students have a wider access to a variety of courses. Starting your classes in the fall intake will ensure you complete your degree on time, aligning with the academic calendar of many universities in and outside the University.
The fall intake has major advantages for international students. Below we’ll give you five reasons why you should apply for the US universities September intake.
Benefits of the Fall Intake
-
Widest Program Choices
In the fall intake, students have a widest range of programs to choose from. Universities also provide more resources to help students process their application seamlessly.
-
Access to Scholarship Opportunities
The fall semesters usually has the most scholarship opportunities. Most organizations and universities provide a significant number of scholarships for students applying in September.
-
It matches the Traditional academic calendar
Fall intakes aligns with the traditional academic calendar used by universities in different parts of the world, making it easier for students to transition from other countries to studying in the USA.
-
Lots of time for processing application
There’s more than enough time to research and apply for your program. Additionally, most application deadlines extend to late December- March so students can gather their documents and prepare for their admission without rushing.
-
Aligns with Job Recruitment Cycles and Internship Opportunities
Recruiters often accept entry level applications during the fall semesters.
Popular Fall Intake Universities
1. Massachusetts institute of technology
MIT is a private research institute in Cambridge, Massachusetts. The university receives one of the biggest fall applications in the United States.
The deadline to submit the application
for the fall entry is March 15. At MIT, international students are eligible for fall entry only.
Location: Cambridge, Massachusetts
Top 5 fall courses in the Massachusetts institute of technology
- Architecture
- Civil and Environmental Engineering
- Mechanical Engineering
- Electrical Engineering and Computer Science
- Biology
2. Harvard University
The fall semester at Harvard University typically begins in late August and ends in mid-December. Harvard’s admission process is very selective during fall intake, so students are advised to work very hard on their application to qualify for admission.
Location: Cambridge, MA
Top 5 Fall courses in Harvard University
- Computer Science
- Statistics
- Ethical Reasoning
- Economics
- Psychology
3. Stanford university
The fall intake is the main intake at Stanford. Admission to Stanford University is highly competitive, with a 4% acceptance rate.
Most students who are admitted into Stanford begin their sessions in the fall semester.
Location: Stanford, California
Top 5 Fall courses in Stanford University
- Archaeology
- Art & Architecture
- Business
- Law & Policy
- Psychology
4. Columbia University
Columbia University has different application deadlines for different programs, including the School of General Studies, visiting students, and PhD programs.
For entry in Fall 2025, the final application deadline is June 15th, 2025.
Location: New York, NY
Top 5 summer courses in Columbia University
- Computer Science
- Philosophy
- Marketing Strategy
- Journalism
- Economics
5. University of Michigan, Ann Arbor
The University of Michigan (U-M) offers a Fall intake for students. The application deadline for the 2025 Fall intake is February 1, 2025.
Fall classes are offered on campus in Ann Arbor, MI.
Location: Ann Arbor, MI
Top 5 programs at the University of Michigan for Fall intake:
- MECHANICAL ENGINEERING
- BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION
- LAW
- PUBLIC HEALTH
- COMPUTER SCIENCE
Apply to the University of Michigan
6. University of Chicago
The University of Chicago offers a Fall intake for students. The application deadline for the 2025 Fall intake is January 4, 2025.
Location: Chicago, IL
Top 5 programs at the University of Chicago for Fall intake:
- ECONOMICS
- LAW
- BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES
- POLITICAL SCIENCE
- MATHEMATICS
Apply to the University of Chicago
7. Columbia University
Columbia University offers a Fall intake for students. The application deadline for the 2025 Fall intake is January 15/February 6th, 2025.
Location: New York City, NY
Top 5 programs at Columbia University for Fall intake:
- LAW
- ENGINEERING
- BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION
- POLITICAL SCIENCE
- ART HISTORY
8. University of Denver
The University of Denver (DU) offers a Fall intake for students. The application deadline for the 2025 Fall intake is January 15th 2025.
Location: Denver, CO
Top 5 programs at the University of Denver for Fall intake:
- BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION
- INTERNATIONAL STUDIES
- LAW
- COMPUTER SCIENCE
- PSYCHOLOGY
Apply to the Univedsity of Denver
9. University of Kansas
The University of Kansas (KU) offers a Fall intake for students. The application deadline for the 2025 Fall intake is June 1, 2025.
Location: Lawrence, KS
Top 5 programs at the University of Kansas for Fall intake:
- PHARMACY
- ENGINEERING
- JOURNALISM
- BUSINESS
- SOCIAL WORK
Apply to the University of Kansas
10. University of Oklahoma
The University of Oklahoma (OU) offers a Fall intake for students. The application opens for the 2025 Fall season on July 1 and extends till August 15th.
Location: Norman, OK
Top 5 programs at the University of Oklahoma for Fall intake:
- ENGINEERING
- COMMUNICATION
- BUSINESS
- EDUCATION
- NURSING
Apply to the University of Oklahoma
Fall intake Application Timeline
|
Month |
Actions |
|
July-August 2024 |
Identify programs and research universities, understand requirements, explore scholarships, and attend fairs. |
|
September-October 2024 |
Register for and take the GRE, GMAT, and TOEFL/IELTS. |
|
October-November 2024 |
Request transcripts, letters of recommendation, and start essays. |
|
December 2024-January 2025 |
Gather documents, complete essays, submit applications, and pay fees. |
|
March-April 2025 |
Monitor applications, prepare for interviews, and gather additional documents. |
|
May-June 2025 |
Review decisions, compare offers, accept and pay deposits. |
|
July-Early August 2025 |
Apply for a visa, find housing, complete enrollment, and pack. |
USA Intake for Masters 2025
The masters program in the US follows the traditional US school calendar which is the Spring, Summer and Fall intake. However, it is necessary to keep in mind when applying that not all universities offer all three intakes for their masters programs.
Spring intake
Spring Intake for masters programs begin in January 2025. Some universities that offer spring intake include;
-
Auburn University
-
California State University
-
College of Alameda
-
DeVry University
-
Faulkner University
-
Golden West College
-
Pacific States University
-
The University of Alabama
-
Troy University
Fall intake
The master’s application process for the fall 2025 intake begins in September–December 2024.
Some universities that offer fall intake for masters include
-
California Institute of Technology (Caltech)
-
Yale University.
-
MIT
-
Harvard University
-
University of Miami
-
New York University
Summer intake
The master’s summer intake begins in May which offers smaller class sizes, less competition, and the opportunity to graduate sooner.
-
Boston University
-
University of Texas in Austin
-
Steven’s Institute of Technology
-
Columbia University
-
Cornell University
Intakes in usa for international students 2025
The United States offers three intakes for international students: Fall, Spring, and Summer. The Fall intake is the most popular and is considered the primary intake in the country.
The table below shows the usa intake for international students in the US and the description.
|
Intake |
Start Month |
End Month |
Description |
|
Fall (September) |
August |
December |
Major programs are offered during this intake. There are numerous applicants, leading to intense competition. |
|
Spring (January) |
January |
April |
Students who miss the Fall intake apply for this intake, which offers fewer courses than the Fall intake. |
|
Summer (May) |
May |
August |
Very few colleges and universities in the USA offer short-duration courses for non-English natives. |