Flickr user University of Central Arkansas
- Some 4-year colleges and universities, but not all, allow students to start in the spring semester.
- Starting college in the spring can give you a headstart on your education.
- However, students could find themselves overwhelmed in their new environment without preparation.
Most college students start college in the fall. Many “moving in day” pictures take place with changing leaves in the background after all! But that doesn’t mean you can’t start college in the fall. Your options may be a little limited, however, and you should consider the pros and cons of a spring start date before signing up. Here’s what you can expect.
Can You Start College in the Spring?
Are you thinking about graduating high school early and want to get ahead in college? While you can start college in the spring, your options may be limited. Some 4-year colleges and universities, for example, do not allow new incoming first-year students to start in the spring.
For those that do allow a spring start date, students may be restricted in the available classes. For example, most incoming first-year college students are required to take English 101. However, due to course schedules, the school might not offer English 101 in the spring (students will instead be taking 102). This can get a little complicated when it comes to a student’s general education requirements.
This isn’t always the case, though. If you are interested in a spring start time at a 4-year college, you should reach out to the admissions department ahead of time to discuss your options and determine when you should submit your application. A few schools that allow a spring start date include Arizona State University, Boston University, and the University of South Florida.
Community colleges, however, allow students to start during any semester, including fall, spring, and summer.
But even if your school allows students to start in the spring, should you? Considering the pros and cons will help you arrive at the answer.
Pros of Starting College in the Spring
1. You Get a Headstart on Coursework Or Get Time Off
This pro depends on when you graduated high school! If you graduate from high school early in the fall, a spring start date allows you to get a headstart on your coursework for college. This could equal an early graduation from college.
However, if you graduated high school in May and June, a spring start date would allow you to have a short break from classwork. This gives you time to travel, save up some money by working, take part in an internship, or just have extra time for you to get fully prepared for college.
2. More Intimate Orientation and Classes
If your school offers a spring orientation or 101 courses for spring-starters, it can be a great way to get introduced to college life and new friends. It can be less overwhelming if you don’t like big classes or crowds, and it can be easier to make friends in more intimate settings.
3. You Could Find it Easier to Be Accepted
Spring admission cycles tend to be less competitive compared to fall admission cycles. As a result, you could find it easier to receive an acceptance letter by applying in the spring vs the fall. This isn’t a guarantee, of course, but it could give you the edge you need to go to your dream college.
Cons of Starting College in the Spring
1. You Might Not Have an Orientation
Not all colleges and universities have a spring orientation. If yours doesn’t, you might miss out on this introduction to your new school. This means you’ll have to play catch up and learn the campus yourself. And even if you do receive an orientation, many other first-year on campus will seem to have this college thing down while you’re still learning the ropes.
2. Class Schedules Can Be Confusing
As mentioned earlier, course schedules can get a little confusing if you join in the spring vs the fall at a 4-year college. Many subjects that have 101 and 102 classes have 101 in the fall and 102 in the spring. So if you want to take Chemistry 101, you might not have that option in the spring and you likely won’t be able to take 102 without taking 101.
To overcome this hurdle, you will have to give your schedule special attention and work with your college advisor to make the most of the spring semester.
3. Some Clubs Only Accept New Members in the Fall
Some clubs and organizations on campus will only accept new members in the fall as they tend to have “introductory meetings” that are mandatory to join. If this is the case, you’ll have to wait until later in the year to sign up. It really depends on the individual club, however, and doesn’t hurt to reach out just in case.
4. Housing Options Can be Limited
Housing options on and off campus can be a bit hard to come by in the spring. Apartments could be full up in town, and on-campus housing may be very limited. You likely won’t get to choose your roommate, location on campus, or even the type of housing you receive.
Should You Start College in the Spring?
Now that you know the pros and cons of starting college in the spring, should you? It’s really up to you and your goals! If you want to get a headstart on college, it can be a great way to enter school faster and get ahead of the curve. However, it can also be confusing to new students who don’t have the option of an orientation.
If you are considering college in the spring, reach out to the admissions department regarding any important deadlines and the process you could expect for starting school. Once you’ve been accepted to the school, be sure to reach out to your college advisor to create a class schedule that works for you.
Sometimes a spring semester, much like spring itself, is a fresh start at a new chapter in your life. Some chapters may be more difficult than others, but if you ask questions, find help, and keep working, you will soon overcome the downsides of starting college in the spring, and make the most of your time in college.
Want to explore colleges that allow students to start in the spring? Use College Match today and uncover the schools that match you!
