Fall vs Spring Intake for MS Abroad: The Battle of the Seasons

Hello Chai buddies. Welcome back to another blog.

Are you planning to pursue your MS degree abroad? You feel ready to leave your nest, spread your wings and make a flight to distant lands? Congratulations on taking this big decision! Now comes the battle of choice of when to start your program: fall or spring? It's a debate that has been going on for ages, with students and universities taking sides. But why fear when your chai buddy is here. To help you make the right decision, I've compiled some information on the pros and cons of each intake season. But first, let's address the elephant in the room: the seasons themselves.

Spring Vs Fall. Photo designed by me!

Fall: The season of pumpkin spice lattes, cosy sweaters, and colourful foliage. It's the time when students are back to school, football season is in full swing, and Halloween is just around the corner. What's not to love?

A garden in Autumn.

Spring: The season of blooming flowers, longer days, and warmer weather. It's the time when students are getting ready for the spring break, baseball season is starting, and everyone is looking forward to summer. Can you feel the breeze already?

Tulips in Spring

Which one do you feel is more ideal for you to make a great start for a brand new exciting and adventurous chapter of your life? Well, before you give in to your dreams crafted by the magic of the seasons, and finalize your decision, let's get into the pros and cons of each intake season.

The Fall Intake:

The Good Part😃:

• More program choices: Since fall is the traditional start of the academic year, many universities offer a wider range of programs starting in the fall.
• A better on-campus experience: Since fall is when most students start their programs, there is a more lively and dynamic campus atmosphere during this time. Also, many extracurricular clubs schedule their annual start in fall semesters. So, if you like them and want to take part in them, fall intake is your best bet.
• Easier transition: If you are coming from a country where the academic year starts in the fall, it may be easier for you to adjust to a fall intake schedule.
• Employment factors: If you plan on looking for internships, assistantships and want to have an advantage over others in front of potential recruiters in job fairs, then starting your semester in fall can be very advantageous for you as then you will have spent more time on your courses compared to those starting in spring semester. Seasons can be advantageous you see! 

The downside 😞:

• Higher competition: Since fall is the more popular intake season with several scholarship deadlines around that period, there may be more competition for admission and scholarships.
• Tighter deadlines: Since many programs start in the fall, application deadlines are often earlier and more strictly enforced. 
• Crowded classes and campuses: With more students starting their programs in the fall, classes may be more crowded and less personalized. Also if you do not love crowds, the campuses, cafeterias and dormitories would be full, unfortunately. 

The Spring Intake:

The Good Part😃:

• Less competition: Since spring is a less popular intake season, there may be fewer applicants competing for admission and scholarships. 
• More personalized attention: With fewer students starting their programs in the spring, classes may be smaller and more personalized. 
• More time to prepare your application documents: If you are coming from a country where the academic year starts in the spring, you may have more time to prepare for a spring intake schedule.
• Also more time to prepare for Employment factors: While those in Fall intake could spend more time on their courses giving them an advantage of being in their final semesters over you, you will have additional time to prepare before recruitment seasons kick in. You can use it wisely on relevant volunteering activities or on-campus or off-campus or remote internships.

The downside 😞:

• Limited program options: Since spring is not the traditional start of the academic year, many universities offer a more limited range of programs starting in the spring. 
• Less lively campus atmosphere: Since fewer students are starting their programs in the spring, the campus atmosphere may be quieter and less dynamic. 
• More challenging transition: If you are coming from a country where the academic year starts in the fall, it may be more challenging to adjust to a spring intake schedule.

So which season should you choose? It ultimately depends on your personal preferences, academic goals, choice of universities and individual circumstances. However, if you're still feeling unsure, there's one more thing that can help you make the right decision: tea.

Yes, you read that right. Tea. A cup of tea can help you make the right decision by calming you down and clearing your mind. As the British say, "There's nothing like a nice cup of tea to calm the nerves." So brew yourself a cup, sit down with a pen and paper, and weigh the pros and cons of fall and spring intake while sipping on some calming tea. 

If you are from India, then what are you waiting for? Go to Swiggy - one of India's fastest and largest food delivery network - and order your tea from your preferred point. Hurry! You may get exciting deals too.

Also stay tuned as freshly brewed content will be at your screen-step very soon.

Till then, take care, Stay Safe.