FALL VS SPRING: WHICH INTAKE SEASON TO CHOOSE
International students have long been perplexed by the fall vs. spring argument. We at Prima Education are always striving to provide you with unbiased responses to such issues, which is why we decided to go deeper into this subject. But first, let us define the spring and fall semesters.
What is Spring and Fall Semester?
Each year, the majority of foreign universities have two entrance intakes for all classes and courses. The fall semester runs from September to December, while the spring semester runs from January to May. Universities admit students in two distinct intakes rather than just one.
To begin with, it is difficult to accommodate an excessive number of pupils in a single semester. Most international institutions receive thousands of applications each year, so admitting so many students at once will undoubtedly be a challenge. That is why an intake section has been established.
Now, let us discuss Fall vs. Spring, which intake season to choose and why:
1. Consider the Universities - The first thing you should do is check to see if all universities accept applications throughout both seasons. Numerous prestigious colleges do not offer spring admissions.
And determining which universities have a spring season is not straightforward. Before applying for a semester, you should do a lot of research on the school you want to go to, to see if they accept students during that semester. You must determine whether the institutions of your interest accept applications throughout both application seasons.
A sizable portion of the top 100 institutions does not have any admission slots available for the spring semester. And it's not easy to determine which institutions have distinct admissions policies and which don't, as university websites resemble a highly intricate maze.
Therefore, if you desire to apply for the spring season, you need to conduct an extensive study to determine the intakes accessible. This should be done before you begin studying for examinations such as the IELTS, TOEFL, or GMAT. This early judgment will help you figure out whether or not you have enough time to study for the exams.
2. Acceptance Rate - Due to the fact that the fall intake's class scopes are substantially larger, you have a much better chance of being admitted to that semester than you do for the spring season. If your profile is above average when applying for the same, your chances are better.
3. Courses on Offer - A significant advantage of applying during the fall admissions is that there are more courses available. Due to the huge volume of applicants during the fall season and the length of the semester, institutions offer a greater variety of courses to students than they do during the spring intake.
4. Placements - Job fairs and campus recruitment are generally held during the second year, which means you must have completed two semesters by then if you enroll in a spring class, or three semesters if you enroll in a fall class.
Those who have completed three semesters will have an advantage over those who have completed two semesters. The additional semester will boost your profile and enhance your academic CV, as you will have completed additional projects, held additional leadership roles, and participated in additional activities.
5. Extra-curricular Activities - If you value extracurricular activities and involvement in various university organizations and clubs, the fall semester is your best bet.
It may be challenging to take on leadership roles and join the club a semester later, as numerous activities and workshops may have already occurred.
6. Visa Application - Acceptance or rejection of a student visa is entirely reliant on your visa application, profile, and the university's history. Whichever intake you choose, your visa application will remain unaffected.
7. Graduation - Occasionally, colleges are kind enough to allow you to finish your post-graduate degree in three semesters. If you can accomplish that, you can begin earning more quickly.
However, graduating in three semesters is easier if you are a fall intake student, as you will complete your course work by the following spring semester and will still have a few months before campus recruiting begins. You could apply for an internship or other part-time employment during those months.
Conclusion
Choose fall intake if you want to start your summer internships and research assistant positions as soon as possible and earn money, or if you want to take a course that few students take and is not available during spring intake.
If you want to finish your degree sooner and need more time to prepare for school recruitments or job applications, choose the fall intake. If you want to take a GAP YEAR after finishing your degree, enroll in the spring semester.
Or, if you want to gain experience before applying for summer internships and research assistant positions and are ready to wait a few more semesters, spring intake will be the best choice. Students also choose this option if they are unable to complete all admission examinations on time and do not wish to delay their studies by a whole year.
The definitive answer is straightforward: it fully relies on you. It all depends on your requirements and future ambitions. To begin with, be clear about your expectations for a COLLEGE education while applying for jobs, as you are the greatest judge of your career. There is no risk associated with applying during any intake season.
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