Fall Semester vs Spring Semester

Based on seasonal changes, universities offer semester-based course curricula throughout the year. Sounds interesting, right? So, when you plan to study abroad, which semester would you prefer to be enrolled in? Is it just a myth or does choosing a particular type of intake actually benefits you? There have been many questions and debates pertaining to choosing the right semester. So, let us look into the details associated with the fall semester vs spring semester through this blog!

When Does Spring Semester Start?

The start date of the Spring Semester is mainly in January, especially for admissions into Spring Intake in USA which begins from January till May.

When Does Fall Semester Start?

The fall semester starts somewhere around mid-August till early September till December. The fall semester is also the primary academic session in the USA and is also a core semester intake in Canada.

Fall vs Spring Semester

Amidst the endless queries about the two-seasonal intakes, here we have listed a few details to understand how the fall semester is different from the spring semester:

FALL INTAKE	SPRING INTAKE
Universities
Most of the universities abroad have fall intake for a majority of the courses they offer.	It is not easy to tell which universities have a spring intake, therefore students should do a thorough research on their target universities.
Acceptance Rate
Class size is much larger for the fall intake and thus, competition is very tough.	Class size is generally small and also you would be sharing your class with students that you had fall classes with. This becomes easier to find a study group.
Courses
Since most of the professors begin their research projects during the fall, there are a lot of opportunities to become a Research Assistant for the same.	Due to comparatively few students applying for the spring semester, the courses offered by the college are also fewer in number.
Classes
Employment Opportunities	The class schedule is fixed for the entire year and some courses will be taught in fall while others in spring. Thus, applying for spring will bring an unusual university class schedule.
Assistantships and Internships
In comparison to the spring semester, the job opportunities are vast in this intake. This is due to the fact that an individual would have completed at least 3 semesters thus having a stronger profile.	During the spring term, there is a stiffer competition and your profile needs to be better than the rest.
These are prerequisites for the main programs offered in the spring season, basically similar to your first semester during the undergraduate.
During the spring term, there is stiffer competition and your profile needs to be better than the rest.	Having experience worth only two semesters, the opportunities are slightly less.
Fundings
Scores of funding and financial assistance options are available during this semester	Even though available, the number of aids offered during spring semester are less in comparison to fall intake.
Transfer Programs
If you want to transfer to another university then this is the most suitable option.	Here, the biggest disadvantage is that you would have to wait an entire summer before applying for transfers.

Financial aid is available for the entire year therefore, there will be no disadvantage if you apply for either of the two intakes. It is the responsibility of the admission officers to analyse your overall profile and the need for financial assistance.

Why Choose Fall Semester?

Here are the key advantages of the Fall Semester:

• Courses: In the majority of universities, the fall semester is the primary enrollment period, thus, all the prominent courses are open during this term. 
• On-Campus Employment: Since the ratio of students during the fall semester is greater than in the spring semester, the majority of the employment options are available during the placement period of this semester. 
• Summer Internships: More and better internship opportunities are likely to come your way if you are enrolled in the fall semester because of the prior experience of college which is mandatory in the majority of the internships. 
• Student Life: Students pursuing studies through the fall semester are likely to enjoy their freshers as well as orientation while the same may not happen during the spring semester. 

Why Choose Spring Semester?

Here’s why you should apply for a university abroad for the spring semester:

• Work on Yourself: After completing the arduous school life, joining college through spring semester will give you ample time to brush up on skills that you may need in your next journey. 
• Buckle Up Academic Skills: The biggest advantage of opting spring semester over fall semester is the time that you can have for fine-tuning your academic front. 
• Time to Settle in: As compared to other semesters, you can take ample time for applying in the spring semester. your application period for the universities will be hassle-free due to the abundance of time.

Top Universities for Fall and Spring Semester 2021

The major countries for fall and spring semester intakes are the USA, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, amongst others. Here are the top universities that are open for admissions for the fall and spring semester 2023:

Fall Semester 2021 Universities	Spring Semester 2021 Universities
Michigan State University The University of Manchester Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology Boston University University of Oxford University of Pennsylvania University of Southern California University of Glasgow Australian National University Carnegie Mellon University	Deakin University University of Ontario Institute of Technology Illinois Institute of Technology University of Dayton University of Massachusetts Dartmouth State University of New York at Binghamton North Carolina State University, Raleigh Penn State Great Valley

Why is the Spring Semester Ideal for You?

Though most of the international students prefer fall more than the spring semester, it cannot be said that it isn’t ideal for you. Despite the fact that most of the undergraduate students complete their graduation around June and July, very little time do they actually get to gear up for the next course and take up admission in the fall intake. That’s when spring semester comes as an alternative!

Owing to other commitments that the students have to fulfil right after completing their graduation such as jobs, internships, taking up new vocational courses or simply a career break, spring term admission becomes the most ideal gateway to pursuing a post-graduation course. 

If your applications and other documentations are not ready by the fall semester, no need to hurry. Just start preparing more rigorously for entrance exams like GMAT, GRE, TOEFL, IELTS, etc. You have got ample time before the spring semester begins!

Also Read: 

• Winter Intake In Canada: Here Is What You Need To Know
• January Intake Universities in UK
• Intakes in Canada

Student Life

Fall semester comes with adventurers and the excitement of being back on campus with your classmates and starting a new chapter in your life. Whereas, spring brings beautiful weather, a summer vacation attitude and vacations. The intakes offer students athletic events, campus happenings and parties. 

Hopefully, we have provided all the necessary information related to fall semester vs spring semester. January intake 2021 are round the corner, want to apply for MBA and MS programs abroad? Quickly book a free 30-minutes consultation with the experts at Leverage Edu and take an informed decision towards a fruitful career!