Seizing the Spring: Exploring the Benefits of Joining Fletcher's January Cohort
Januarians – or students who choose to enroll and begin their studies in the Spring semester – have long been a small, albeit important, population of the student community. However, in recent years, the option to begin graduate studies in the spring semester is not such a niche one.
With the October 10th admissions application deadline to join Fletcher's January cohort fast approaching, we're sharing some first-person perspectives on the benefits of joining The Fletcher School as a "Januarian." And if you haven’t got your application in yet, there is still time.
NATASHA WOOD, MALD 2024
“Enrolling in January means joining a group of students that’s only one semester ahead of you, and recently experienced what you’re experiencing as a new student. I found a wealth of good advice on classes, professors, and navigating Fletcher from the fall start class. Some students also say that registering for classes, securing a capstone advisor, and completing other academic processes are easier as a Januarian because fewer people are doing it at the same time as you.”
AHMAD AL FALASI, MALD 2024
“You meet more people as a Januarian because your enrollment starts halfway through the academic year. You get to meet 2nd year students ending their time at Fletcher, while also getting to be friends with most 1st years and then future students for the fall. I benefitted from a full summer to reflect on my first semester and plan on my next steps for at Fletcher.”
SUSHANT SWAMI, MIB 2024
“The January start at the Fletcher School embodies the institution's commitment to providing flexibility while upholding academic excellence. Beginning in January allowed me to seamlessly adapt to the academic environment, with ample support from faculty members. Moreover, this entry point grants students an additional summer session, enabling deeper exploration of research and career avenues within the program. With a smaller class size, January intake fosters a personalized learning experience and a stronger sense of community. It's an ideal choice for those aligning their studies with specific career goals, especially in industries or regions with hiring cycles differing from the traditional fall start, offering unmatched flexibility for internships and co-op opportunities.”
CONSTANTINOS ANGELAKIS, MALD 2024
“I think the largest benefit of being a Januarian is the opportunity to have two summer internships. In my case, these have actually reinforced one another, working at the Massachusetts House of Representatives my first summer and then at the House of Representatives in Congress my second summer.”
TAYMOUR EL MADANI, MIB:QM 2025
“The flexible and accommodative nature of the January start allowed me to align my personal, educational and career priorities. The smaller January intake led to everyone being familiar with each other in the cohort, which created a strong sense of community amongst us. This smaller cohort also allowed us to have greater access to academic resources and facilities dedicated to new students. Lastly, I thought it was great to get the notoriously cold Boston winter out of the way in my first semester!”