Applying to US universities? Here’s the Fall intake timeline and document checklist for Indian students

The fall intake remains the primary entry point for international students, including those from India, into American universities. In the United States academic calendar this intake generally begins in late August or early September, offering the widest array of programmes and admitting the largest cohort of new students. For Indian applicants, understanding the timeline, planning ahead, and having the correct documents ready is critical. While much attention is focused on admission strategy and test-scores, it is the documents that often cause delay or rejection. This article offers a structured guide: first clarifying the timeline and planning, then unpacking the documents required, followed by university-specific nuances, and finally drawing key take-aways for Indian students seek