The USA is home to some of the finest institutes in the world. Every year the country welcomes around 10 million international students from different parts of the world. The practical approach to teaching and a wide range of specialisations are the core reasons international students choose to study in the USA. Also, there is immense scope for ground-breaking research and other career prospects in the US. Generally, US Universities offer three intakes to international students, i.e. Spring (January), Summer (May), and Fall (August). Let’s discuss all the details you need to know before enrolling in USA Fall Intake.
Fall intake means August intake, one of the major intakes in US. Most US Universities close their application in February or March for fall intake. It is one of the major intakes in US, in which almost every university accepts applications from international students.
The US Universities receive the highest number of applications in Fall Intake. Taking admission in Fall intake has its advantages:
Fall intake is the primary intake in the US, i.e., all the US Universities accepts international application in this intake. Students get an option to secure admission to the top universities in the US.
During this intake, universities offer international students a maximum range of course options.
Since the universities welcome the highest number of international students during this intake, it is a great opportunity to experience a multicultural environment and make a global connection.
If you wish to study at US University, you must plan well. To timely apply to the University, adhere to the timeline mentioned below.
Month | Description |
---|---|
June - September | Search for the best universities according to your course and prepare all required documents. |
October - January | Make the application at your preferred University. |
February - March | Get your offer letter from the University & apply for I20 |
April | Fill out your visa application form. (Form DS-160) Fill out CGI and pay the SEVIS fee. |
May - July | Appear for the Visa Interview |
July - August | Book your flight tickets to the US |
August | Fly to the US and enjoy your study abroad journey. |
To timely apply to US universities, you need to undergo the following process in sequence:
STEP 1: Browse for suitable university options
The first thing is to search for the US universities that offer the course you need to study and falls within your budget. While selecting a university, do not look for an overall ranking of the University; rather, look for the course ranking for which you have to apply. Also, don’t forget to look for the scholarships available for international students at that University.
STEP 2: Prepare all your documents
It is one of the most important steps in the process. Before applying to the University, you must collect all your necessary documents, which are listed below. Also, appear for the English proficiency test, which the University accepts and Standardize admission test (as per the course requirement). However, it is necessary to provide the original degree, whereas if the official degree is awaited, you can apply with a provisional degree certificate.
STEP 3: Make an application and get an offer letter
Apply to the University, and attach all the documents with the application. The University takes around 4 to 12 weeks to assess your profile and give an offer letter. For a smooth process, students must make an application by the end of January.
STEP 4: Receive an I20 form from the University
The Form I-20 is a certificate which proves that you have enrolled in a US university as a non-immigrant student. To get an I20 form from the University, students must deposit the initial amount to the University and complete the documents requirement, i.e. financial documents and affidavit of support.
STEP 5: Fill DS-160 form and pay the SEVIS fee
After receiving I-20, students have to pay their I-901 SEVIS fee online. The SEVIS fee for the F-1 visa is about 350 USD. Also, fill out the DS 160 form. Students must also fill out the CGI form and pay the visa fee, which is 160 USD.
STEP 6: Book and appear for the interview
After paying a visa fee, students can book a visa interview at their nearest Embassy. The students must compulsorily appear for the interview on the scheduled date and time. Make sure you reach out well in advance at the Embassy and are formally dressed. The interview is a very important part of your visa process. It decides whether you will be granted a US student visa or not. Also, carrying all the required documents while appearing for an interview is important.
STEP 7: Get visa approval and book flight tickets
If you can convince the visa officer and your interview goes well, your visa will be approved. As soon as you get visa approval, book flight tickets to the US and enjoy your study abroad journey.
During the application process for University, students require some of the essential documents to prove their academic qualifications and personal identity. Some of the most important documents which students must prepare before applying to US universities are:
Mark sheets (9th to 12th if applying for undergrad) (10th & 12th if applying for Masters)
Transcripts
Degree of Bachelor’s (if going for master’s)
GRE or GMAT scores (if required by the University for your course)
English proficiency score (like IELTS, TOEFL, Duolingo, PTE, etc.)
3 LORs (Letters of recommendation)
SOP (Statement of purpose)
Passport
Passport-size photographs
Proof of work experience or internship
Proof of funds
While applying for a US visa, international students have to provide some important documents. The list of documents required is mentioned below.
Passport (valid for at least 6 months from the visa date)
Appointment Letter
DS 160 Confirmation
SEVIS Fee Receipt
Passport-size photographs
Application fee payment receipt (CGI)
I20 form
Offer Letter
Academics (Degree, Mark sheets, Transcript)
Resume
GRE/GMAT/IELTS/TOEFL/PTE/DUOLINGO/SAT scorecard
Work Exp letter (if any)
Financial Docs ( Proof of funds, Sponsor letter, Tax returns for past 3 years, Loan letter)
The US, one of the best study-abroad destinations, has various top universities. Some of the best universities in US for Fall 2023 intake, which have a high chance of acceptance, are:
Arizona State University
University of the Pacific
University of Utah
University of Dayton
Cornell University
Johns Hopkins University
Columbia University
University of Southern California
New York University
University of California, Los Angles
For a smooth process, students must make their applications by December/ January. Whereas most universities have an application deadline in February/ March.
Fall intake is considered to be the best intake in US. Since universities have the highest number of seats available during this intake, the chances of getting an offer letter increase. Also, a wide range of universities and courses are available during this intake.
The two most common intakes to study in US is Fall (August) and Spring (January).
In USA universities refer to August and September as Fall months in an academic sense.
Generally, there are two types of exams that students need to appear for Studying in US: the English proficiency exam and the standardised admission exam. To study in US, international students must prove their English language skills by appearing for one of the English proficiency exams like IELTS, TOEFL, PTE, Duolingo, etc. Some universities require standardised admission exams like GRE, GMAT, or SAT for certain courses. These exams help the University assess the student’s core knowledge of that subject area.