U.S. Universities Academic Calendar
Understanding How the School Year Works
Unlike some countries with a uniform academic calendar, U.S. colleges and universities follow different systems to organize the school year. While each institution sets its own exact schedule, most use one of the following:
Semester System (Most Common)
Used by the majority of U.S. universities.
- Divides the year into two main terms, each lasting about 15–16 weeks
- Some schools offer an optional short summer session
Typical Timeline:
- Fall Semester: August or September to December
- Spring Semester: January to May
- Summer Semester (optional): May or June to July or August
Quarter System (Used by ~20% of Schools)
- Students typically attend Fall, Winter, and Spring quarters (Summer is optional)
- Common at schools on the West Coast (e.g., University of California system)
Typical Timeline:
- Fall Quarter: Late September to mid-December
- Winter Quarter: Early January to mid-March
- Spring Quarter: Late March or early April to mid-June
- Summer Quarter: Optional short term (June–August)
- You must remain enrolled full-time during Fall and Spring to maintain F-1 visa status
- Summer enrollment is usually optional, unless it's your first term
- Your start term can affect visa timelines, course availability, and housing
