Planning to study abroad? Read on to know more.
When it comes to furthering their education abroad, every student wonders whether to apply for the Fall or Spring term. So, first, let’s define what the Spring and Fall semesters are and how they differ.
Fall Months: September, October, November & December.
Spring Months: January, February, March, April & May.
For entrance purposes, universities have two intakes – Fall and Spring semesters. The fall semester begins in late August and concludes in late December or early January, whereas the spring semester commences in January and ends in early May.
Many students may not be able to apply for the Fall semester for various reasons, resulting in larger class sizes for the Fall semester.
Now, let’s discuss 6 points for which semester you should opt and why, when you decide to study abroad.
- Universities
Many of the top 100 institutions do not have admissions open during the Spring semester. So, if you’re searching for a Spring intake, you might have to dig to find out what’s available. It is a critical step before starting your preparations for examinations such as IELTS, TOEFL, GRE, or GMAT. You will have ample time to study for the tests if you decide and research which intake you wish to attend.
- Internships
Summer internships are only available after finishing at least two semesters of studies. If this is the case, the Fall semester has an advantage because that extra semester will raise your profile, improve your academic CV (student CV), and allow you to complete more projects, take on more leadership roles, participate in more events, and so on. These little extras will give you an advantage over your peers from the Spring semester.
The Spring semester will only have one semester of study. Students enrolled in the spring semester would have to wait two semesters to apply for their first summer internship.
The internship phase – June to August – becomes ‘useless’ once you join the spring semester (January). Most applicants settle for some unpaid assistantships or project building sessions. Winter internships are not a popular trend, and students don’t get recruited.
Furthermore, an internship is a necessary stage in the master’ journey because you earn significant money in those three months, which can pay your final 1/2 semesters.
- Courses
For Fall intake applicants, universities offer a broader range of courses. A course not chosen by many students is likely to be unavailable in the Spring semester. If you enroll in the Spring season, you may find it hard to arrange your coursework. Finding suitable projects, internships, and final placements is dependent on the subjects you study.
- Extracurricular Activities
If extracurricular and participation in various university communities and clubs are important to you, the Fall semester is the best option. It may be hard to take on leadership roles and join the squad one semester later if most events and workshops have already occurred. If you don’t want to be a part of the core team, it doesn’t matter which semester you enroll in.
- Graduation
Universities are sometimes willing to let you finish your post-graduate degree in three semesters rather than four. If you do this, you will be able to apply for part-time jobs and internships and begin earning sooner. The fall semester is the best option for this because you will graduate in the following Spring semester and will have a few months before campus recruitments begin. The extra semester will allow you to prepare for job opportunities while working part-time or interning, giving your CV a boost before recruitment.
- Readiness
Most students apply for the fall intake because they have completed their undergrad degrees. However, this is not always the case, and students may require additional time to adjust. If you do not believe you will be ready to begin your studies by September, there is no point in rushing your applications.
What Study Abroad Intake Season should you choose?
Choose Fall intake if :-
- You have a particular course in mind that many students don’t opt for and is not available in the Spring intake.
- You want to start your summer internships and research assistant jobs sooner and start earning earlier.
- You wish to finish your degree earlier and need some time before campus recruitments* or job applications.
- You are interested in leadership positions at university clubs and societies.
Choose Spring intake if :-
- You want to take some time off after your degree to have a gap year.
- You want to go into summer internships and research assistant jobs with more experience and are willing to wait a few more semesters.
- You were unable to write all the admission exams in time and don’t want to wait an entire year before starting your education.
- You want to defer to another semester and not one full year.
How can WSFx help you?
We believe we were able to assist you in planning your journey to study abroad. We hope that this blog has aided you in making the best decision possible about your application to your dream university.
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