For a student who wants to work in the United States after graduation, when is it a good time to graduate - May or December?

December

why? reasons plzzzzzzzzzzz

Because the only time period you can apply for H1 in the US is April. And the result comes out in 2-4 months (not exactly sure how many months). If I graduate in May, and apply for visa in following April, the result would come after my OPT would have expired. To keep myself in "status", I would have to go back to school. But if I graduate in December, the earliest I am anticipating to get a job with my OPT is January. And I am not sure if my employer would be willing to sponsor my H1 based on my past 2-3 months of performance.
I hope that explains.

Its better to graduate in Dec than in May because:

1. You are not in situation of H1B being consumed before your apply.
2. There won't be unnecessary gap between your F1 (OPT) and H1B status.(Be sure the Gap is not more than 60 days .... otherwise it could become a serious problem for you)
3. In most sectors job market is really good from February
4. ... etc ... etc

Thanks.

Is there only chance to graduate either May or December? BTW, I am graduating this September, what will happen to me? Confused......

Is there anyone to provide me the correct info?

based on your university you have an option of graduating 3 times in any given year

May
August/Sept
Dec
this would be perfect if you plan it right.:
apply for job around APRIL. get a job by MAY/JUNE. start your work on CPT for next @ least 3(to graduate in AUG/SEP) or 6 months(GRAD in DEC). apply for OPT around 90 days before your CPT expiration date.

you will have OPT for next year. apply for H1-B effective from OCT next year. Yes if you grad in SEP. make sure you take that month of time vacation (O: . you get 2 weeks/year vacation. so use it. then you can start in H1-B next year.

if you grad in DEC. you will be losing 3 months of [ FICA tax i.e. 7.65% of your salary] not a big deal..

graduating in Sept will give you perfect scenario based on OPT utilization and application of H1-B
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as always
what do i know (O:

I want to ask something about the possibilty of H1B application while you are waiting for your graduation certificate. For eg. If somebody is going to graduate in May 12, is it possible to file H1B in caped quota? It is serious for my frens.

if you have bachelors degree you can. if you do not have diploma yet then you can provide a transcript showing completion of bachelors.

if not then you can provide the midterm grade and transcript and letter from your advisor stating that based on your mid-term grades you are going to get the Bachelors degree before the start date of H1-B effective date.
then they will send you a RFE around end of APRIL/beg MAY. you have 30 days to respond to RFE. you can include your degree completed transcript and you will be all set (O:

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as always
what do i know (O:

Thank you thapap. advisor is just giving the letter of " expected date of graduate" so i think it will work. Thank you for your valuable suggestion

Thank you all for that helpful information. I guess many of us need suggestion in this case.

Thanks for all valuable informations! Thanks for all.
Ani "sajhakohero" le pani reason payo hola!

Thank you thapap, I've got a lot information from you. I will do as you guided.