Skip to content

Early Start Program

The goal of the MCPHS Early Start Program is to provide an opportunity for new international undergraduate students to better prepare themselves academically, linguistically, socially, and culturally for the challenges and expectations of their new environment when they arrive at MCPHS. Students who complete the ESP will be able to start their academic journey at MCPHS with confidence.

To apply to the Early Start Program, you must be admitted to MCPHS and have submitted your enrolment deposit to participate. The deadline to register for the Early Start Program is July 24, 2022, or when space is full. Your cost to participate in the Early Start Orientation Program is $200. here. Register now.

  • To submit your payment, click here: Make a One-Time Payment
  • Select the term "Fall 2022"
  • Enter your first and last name, as well as your MCPHS student ID
  • Enter the amount of $200

Note: You will still be expected to attend the International Student Orientation on August 31 and the Orientation Session for new students on September 1.

The Early Start Program is designed for incoming MCPHS first-year and transfer students who are coming to study in the U.S. for the first time.

As you prepare your travel plans, think about preparing the academic and non-academic skills you will need to succeed. The education system, expected outcomes of your classes, and relationships in the U.S. will vary—whether a little or a lot—from what you are accustomed to back home.

The team at the MCPHS Center for International Studies has developed the Early Start Program specifically for you, to help you prepare academically, linguistically, socially, and culturally for the challenges and expectations of your new journey at MCPHS.

Two days are online and one week is in-person. For optimal results, participants should engage in all online and on campus activities.

  • Online Program Dates: Tuesday, August 10, 2022 – Saturday, August 20, 2022
  • On-Campus Program Dates: Monday, August 22, 2022 – Monday, August 29, 2022*
  • Enrollment capacity: 60 students
  • Enrollment deadline: July 24, 2022

*Special note about housing: On-campus housing will be provided August 22 to August 26. Students who are confirmed for on-campus housing for Fall 2022 will move into their permanent rooms on August 26. Students who plan to live off-campus will have to secure their own housing beginning on August 26.

Linguistic

Students will develop academic language strategies for managing first year course and lab work through faculty instruction in:

  • Effective preparation and review for lectures and course texts;
  • Oral and written communication for labs, professors, and class discussion;
  • Academic English and health science vocabulary and reading.

Academic

Students will develop success strategies to meet the academic expectations of their studies at MCPHS including:

  • Time, schedule, and course load planning and management;
  • Study strategies to prepare for course, faculty, and program expectations;
  • Identification of resources that support academic success.

Cultural

Students will gain insight into diverse U.S. experiences and improve their intercultural competence to:

  • Engage open mindedly in a heterogeneous environment;
  • Promote diversity and inclusion in the college community;
  • Develop an awareness of professional competencies of U.S. healthcare practitioners:
    • Appreciate the importance of empathy for health professionals;
    • Prepare for the expectations of interprofessional education and collaboration.

Social

Students will begin to build a social support network who will guide them during their time at MCPHS and beyond which includes:

  • A personal network of fellow students, faculty, and staff;
  • Relationships with student leaders and mentors;
  • Proactively accessing resources for physical, social, and emotional health and wellbeing.