In the US, Fall (August, September) is the major term of admission. Once, applying during the Fall term came with the benefit of funding, as the money vault in the school was full, the competition was not as fierce as now, and schools were liberal in providing financial assistance. Besides, starting during the Fall made you eligible for internship because you would have completed at least one semester, which is a requirement for starting internship during the immediate June. Those who believe Fall is the right time for starting the course for the reasons mentioned assume that they are likely to get funding, and that they are likely to get an internship. Both need not necessarily occur. It is true that internship may invigorate your Resume and help you get a job. But it is not guaranteed. At present, what is more important is how the economy is and how it would predictably be. And if it is a tide, and it would last for a while, you got to embrace the opportunity and ride on it, for if you don’t seize it, be it Fall or Spring, you end up on the shore. Broadly what matters is when you graduate, in the two years time horizon, how will the job prospects be. If the economic indicators predict that all will be fine, you should start the program, and try to end it when the time is good, opportunities are plenty, and economy is vibrant. Irrelevant would be the time you start and any benefits you would not lose, as long as the time you end favors your employment. Keep a watch on the larger economy. Some say environment is everything for the growth of an individual, we say economy is everything if you mind getting opportunities in the US.