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 can start their academic journey at MCPHS confidently.

The Early Start Program is designed for incoming MCPHS first-year and transfer students 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.

Important Dates

Enrollment deadline: July 28, 2023
Move-in Date: Monday, August 14, 2023
Program Dates: Wednesday, August 16, 2023 – Friday, August 25, 2023
International Orientation: Wednesday, August 30, 2023

Registration

To register for the Early Start Program, you must be admitted to MCPHS and have submitted your enrollment deposit to participate. Registration information for the Early Start Program will be available in the spring.

Program Logistics

Format: On-Campus

Housing: On-campus housing will be provided from August 14 to August 25.
Special Housing Note: Students who are confirmed for on-campus housing for Fall 2023 will move into their permanent rooms on August 25. Students who plan to live off-campus during the Fall 2023 semester must secure their own housing from August 25 on.

Meals: Breakfast and lunch will be provided on Wednesday, August 16 – Friday, August 25.
Meal Notes: Students are responsible for meals in the evenings and on weekends during this period.

Fees and Budget

Commitment/Deposit fee: $300

Students are responsible for the cost of personal items, bed linens, and meals not provided by the program.

Program Outcomes

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 the 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 that 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 well-being