1. Fewer Spring Programs and Smaller Intake
Typically, U.S. universities accept students for both spring and fall entry, but because most institutions default to fall as the primary intake, spring applicant numbers are much lower. Consequently, the number of available programs and specializations is far smaller; some schools may even close spring applications due to insufficient interest. In some cases, spring programs are only offered because the fall intake was not full.
Generally, business schools rarely offer spring programs. For example, the JHU-Carey Business School, which recently added STEM designation to its MS in Finance/BA program, clearly states that it only offers fall enrollment (Click here to learn more about JHU Carey Business School).
Similarly, USC-BA explicitly states it does not accept spring students. The highly popular Data Science programs at Columbia University and New York University are also fall-only.
2. Many Uncertainties in Spring Admission
Even if schools do not explicitly say they reject spring applicants, or if they open spring applications, uncertainties remain. For instance, if applicant numbers are too low to meet the minimum enrollment, the school may cancel that year's spring intake. Or if fall enrollment is unusually high, they might close the spring round and redirect applicants to the following fall.
Moreover, just because a school has offered spring admission in previous years does not guarantee it will continue this year. Always check the school's official website for the most current information.
3. Spring Entry May Cost You Internship Opportunities
Most master’s students place high importance on internships. For many, making the most of the three-plus-month summer break after the first year to secure a summer internship in the U.S. is crucial. During that internship, building your profile and earning a return offer can dramatically boost your chances of landing a job in the U.S. after graduation.
However, U.S. immigration requires students to have been enrolled for at least eight months before applying for CPT, which is required for off-campus internships. Therefore, spring-entry students often miss the vital summer internship after their first year because they typically fall short of the eight-month threshold by that time. Many programs last only one or one and a half years, meaning students graduate before the second summer and miss that internship window as well.
The application clock keeps ticking, but right now may be your last chance to catch the Fall 2019 train!
Still unsure about your graduate program direction and school selection? Not clear on the difficulty of this year’s programs? Wondering which programs your GPA/GRE can reach?
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