While most of his peers started university last fall, Saw Yan “James” Naung from Myanmar began attending San Jose State University in the spring 2018 semester. Naung delayed applying due to health reasons, but says the extra time ended up benefiting him in many ways.
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USNEWS：关于美国大学春季入学的了解
特约评论：中国大学编制导致的博士就业抉择难题
2019年4月1日
USNEWS：准备大学面试问题
2019年4月2日By Anayat Durrani
不申请秋季入学的准留学生可以利用额外的时间更好的准备即将前往的美国学习。
春天申请美国大学的一些好处是，它给了学生更多的时间来准备大学的要求让我有时间；可以让同学们更好的决定哪所大学最适合自己。
学生选择在春季开始学习的原因可能包括：没有被录取进入他们的首选学校秋季入学，需要一个学期的假期旅行或想要获得工作经验。
在大多数美国大学，春季学期从1月开始，5月初结束。对于考虑在春季申请入学的留学生来说，有更多的时间来准备英语成绩，也可以更好的挑选自己喜欢的学校。
且看原文分析。
“Some of the benefits of applying to U.S. universities in the spring is that it gives more time to prepare for the requirements that the university has,” Naung says. “In addition, it gave me time to decide which university is best for me.”
Reasons students may choose to apply to begin studies in the spring can include not getting accepted into their top-choice school for fall admission, needing a semester off to travel or wanting to gain work experience.
At most U.S. colleges and universities, spring semester begins in January and ends in early May. For prospective international students considering applying to start in the spring, here are two advantages to consider.
More time to prepare.
Students graduating from high school in June will have little time to prepare for the big move to the U.S. Applying for spring admission gives students more time to get organized and prepare for studying in the U.S.
“CU—Boulder offers spring enrollment options to all undergraduate and graduate students, both international and domestic, because we want to provide greater flexibility and more options to our students, depending on their needs,” says Deborah Méndez Wilson, deputy spokesperson for the University of Colorado—Boulder.
Experts say students should be aware of deadlines as some universities, like The City University of New York, have a Sept.15 deadline for spring applicants. Other schools, like CU—Boulder, have an Oct. 1 deadline to apply for the spring term, while Pace University in New York has a Dec. 1 deadline for the spring term.
“Spring deadlines are different from fall semesters so it’s important to make sure that you stay on point with the submission of your university application,” Naung says.
Ruth Duran Huard, dean of the College of International and Extended Studies at San Jose State, says spring admission gives prospective international students more time to prepare application materials and handle tasks after admission, such as obtaining a U.S. visa. Nuang says in his experience as a spring applicant, he found the process of getting his visa to be more convenient away from the fall applicant rush.
“Spring admitted students have less competition for getting consular appointments for their student visas,” Huard says.
She says spring also gives students an extra term to work and save up for their tuition and fees, “especially because they need to show via their declaration of finance that they have the funds and means to meet the university financial obligations.”
Improve English language skills.
Prospective international students can also use the extra time to retake standardized English proficiency tests, such as the Test of English as a Foreign Language or International English Language Testing System, or take an English language prep course to get them ready for studying in the U.S.
“It definitely gave me time to prepare to retake the IELTS,” Naung says.
English preparatory programs offered by U.S. universities can help. These are available to prospective international students who have not yet applied and who need additional English language proficiency.
For example, the University of Washington offers programs and individual courses designed for different levels of English ability, which last a few weeks to a year or longer.
The Intensive English Language Program at Indiana University—Bloomington offers summer, fall and spring courses to prepare international students to study at North American universities, including TOEFL preparation.
Similarly, at UCLA Extension, the continuing education division of the University of California—Los Angeles, the “intensive English program is designed to prepare students for acceptance and success in U.S. universities,” says Tara Neuwirth, director of Intensive English Programs and associate director of the American Language Center at UCLA Extension.
She says the center has year-round programs open for enrollment to all students over age 18 with an F-1 student visa. Neuwirth says students who cannot come to the U.S. before beginning university can enroll in individual online writing courses at the intermediate or advanced levels.
Experts say having test scores and application materials prepared ahead of time can ensure a smooth application process. Mark Ciolli, director of recruitment at CUNY, says international applicants should complete their applications as early as possible whether they apply for the fall or spring.
While choosing to apply for spring admission may be going against the herd, Ciolli says applicants should base their decision on their personal situation.
For Naung, spring admission worked out well and he has since settled into U.S. university life. And while being a spring admit doesn’t necessarily guarantee he will have a winter graduation, Naung says a December or January graduation could give him extra time – compared with fall applicants who graduate in the summer – to work on the next chapter of his life.
“I plan to go to grad school after my undergrad degree, most probably in the U.S.,” Naung says.
