Student Intakes in the USA – Elevating the American Dream

When pursuing education overseas, the USA is often one of the most sought-after destinations. However, the cost of living and a lack of intakes can often deter students or cause the process to become cumbersome. Any student looking to pursue an undergraduate program in the USA should learn about the intakes available in the country.

How Many Intakes Are There In The USA?

Usually, the intakes for new students are divided into three seasonal categories – namely 

1. Fall (starts in August or September)
2. Spring (starts in January)
3. Summer (starts in May)

Students who wish to save time and start their education can do so with the help of a hybrid program such as The WorldGrad’s All American Undergraduate Program, through which students can study upto 1 year of their program from home and seamlessly transition to on campus studies at a US university for the remaining 3 years of their bachelor’s degree.With an intake every 2 months, students have the flexibility to start their degree anytime.  Students will also be able to reduce their costs by up to 25% by saving on living expenses, lower tuition fees and exclusive scholarships.

Which Intake Is Best To Study In The USA?

In the USA, intakes occur in seasonal batches – during Fall, Spring and Summer respectively. We break down the timelines of each intake, the benefits of each, eligibility criteria and deadlines as well as the documentation and preparation required for each intake period below. 

Fall Intake:

Timed at the start of the academic year in the USA, the fall intake is beneficial to students as it keeps them up to speed with their degree. The period for the fall intake starts in August or September and enrolling during this time of the year also allows students to take up internships or part-time jobs to boost their spending power. 

To qualify for this intake, students must meet the specific requirements of their chosen course and university. Students are also required to have an IELTS score of 5.5 or above or a TOEFL score of 70 or above.

University fees usually start at USD 23,500 per annum and students can also avail scholarships up to USD 20,000 per annum if they meet certain requirements. With The WorldGrad’s All American Undergraduate Program, students complete up to 30 credits within 1 year. To be eligible for the next Fall intake, they can join this program in May, July or September 2023, complete their first year by June 2024 and be eligible for this intake in August 2024. 

Spring Intake:

Usually offering a lower price than those in fall, the spring intake is the second intake which is open to international students. Although course offerings may not be as varied, many institutes often welcome students from all over the world during this period. Spring intakes for international students begin in January.

Before applying to their chosen course or university, students must check the required GPA percentage and have their transcripts read. An IELTS score of 5.5 or more is a requirement for admission at the undergraduate level. Fees at universities start at USD 23,500 per annum and students can earn a scholarship up to USD 20,000 per annum if they meet certain criteria. Students who wish to apply for this intake must do so by October of the previous year, making them eligible for an intake in January 2024. 

Summer Intake:

Starting in May, summer intakes for international students are the least popular option as only a handful of colleges offer a summer semester. Summer intakes usually see an offering of short courses and offer fewer options in terms of scholarship opportunities as well. International students seeking admission need to check the GPA requirements specific to their chosen course and university. A TOEFL score of 70 or above is also mandatory for international students. University fees can start at USD 23,500 per annum and qualifying students can earn a scholarship of up to USD 20,000 per annum.

Top Universities and their intakes

America is a highly desired destination for international students, with around 4000 universities and community colleges offering a wide variety of courses. 33 of the top 100 universities in the world are also located in the USA. Cultural diversity, academic excellence, vibrant campuses and world-class faculty make the USA a prime education destination for international students. 

While direct intakes are only thrice a year, with The WorldGrad, students have the opportunity to maximise their opportunities, with up to 6 intakes in a year. With the help of The WorldGrad, students can join  globally ranked universities.Below are some of the top universities and their intake deadlines.

1. Massachusetts Institute of Technology: Founded in 1861 and spread over 168 acres, the Massachusetts Institute of Technology is home to over 4,638 undergraduate students as of October 2021. The annual application begins mid August and the deadline is January 1st, every year, and the application fee is USD 75.
2. McKendree University: Founded in 1828, McKendree University is known for housing over 92% of its undergraduate students on its campus. Priority applications are sent in before the 1st August deadline, every year. 
3. New York Institute of Technology: Established in 1955 and spread across 215 acres, the New York Institute of Technology accepted 3,414 students in the Fall of 2021. Its application deadline is rolling and the application fee is USD 50.
4. Princeton University: One of the most selective universities in America, with an acceptance rate of just 4%, Princeton applicants usually have a high SAT score of between 1460 and 1570 or an ACT score of 33 and 35. The annual application deadline for Princeton University is January 1st, every year, and the application fee is USD 70.
5. Tiffin University: Founded in 1888, Tiffin University in Ohio offers a low cost of living for students. Application deadlines at Tiffin University are rolling. The application fee is USD 20.
6. University of the Incarnate Word: With an undergraduate intake of 4,846 students in Fall 2021, this university offers a wide range of courses across subjects. The application deadline at the University of the Incarnate Word is rolling, which means it allows students to apply at any time during the year. Students are required to have an SAT score between 925 or above when applying.
7. Yale University: First founded in 1701, Yale University has an acceptance rate of around 5% with students often having an SAT score between 1480 and 1580. Applications to Yale University close on January 2nd, every year, and the application fee is USD 80.

Students who start their studies with The WorldGrad‘s All American Undergraduate Program, do not need an essay, SOP or SAT score to enrol into our partner universities including Mckendree University, New York Institute of Technology, Tiffin University and University of the Incarnate Word, among others. Students also benefit from up to 25% in cost reductions through fee subsidies, exclusive scholarships, savings on living costs, and our seamless and fast admissions process with a 100% overseas admissions and success rate to date helps..

Conclusion

Students looking to pursue their education in America must be mindful of intakes, universities and degrees for which admissions are open in each intake, and the application process and deadlines.. The direct intake route often restricts students to just 3 opportunities per year at making it into their university of choice, but with The WorldGrad, that number increases to 6 opportunities every year. 

With The WorldGrad’s All American Undergraduate Program, students can complete up to 30 credits from home, progress to America to the university campus of their choosing, and gain the academic skills needed to succeed overseas. 

Author: Deepak Shukla