When do most colleges start the academic year?

Hi there! I'm trying to plan out my summer, and I was wondering around what date most colleges typically start their academic year. If anyone has a general idea, it'd really help me out.

Most colleges and universities in the United States start their fall semester in late August or early September. However, the starting date can vary quite significantly from school to school, especially between semester-based and quarter-based schools.

Institutions that run on a semester calendar typically begin their fall semester in the last week of August or the first week of September, and the semester usually ends in mid-December. Those that run on a quarter or trimester system may start their academic year a little later, typically in late September.

However, it's important to remember that specific dates can vary, not just by institution, but by year as well. So if you need to know the exact start date for a specific college or university, your best bet is to check that school's academic calendar which can usually be found on their official website.

Also, keep in mind some colleges offer orientation programs or pre-semester programs for first-years that can start a week or so before the official start of the academic year. If those apply, you'd want to factor that into your planning.