Early Start
Set yourself up for college success.
Get a head start on university life with the Early Start program at The College of Liberal Arts and Sciences. You’ll move to campus early, make new friends and learn about your major — all while earning three elective credits.
The program, at no cost to you, includes eleven days from Wednesday, August 6, to Saturday, August 16, and then 10 hours during the fall semester.
Major-specific programs
Early Start is designed to create an immersive, integrated experience of college life, all before your classes officially start. You’ll learn what to expect for the upcoming fall semester and gain the tools to succeed as a student at Arizona State University.
The College offers 11 different, major-specific Early Start programs. You’ll be grouped with students in your major and get to know professors and mentors who teach classes in your program.
Review the list below to find the program for students in your major.
BioBridge Early Start
- Majors: Biological sciences, microbiology, molecular biosciences and biotechnology
Hugh Downs School of Human Communication Early Start
- Majors: Communication
Humanities Early Start
- Department of English majors: Culture, technology and environment; English; film and media studies; narrative studies
- School of Historical, Philosophical and Religious Studies majors: Asia studies, global Asia studies, history, Jewish studies, philosophy, religious studies
- School of International Letters and Cultures majors: Asian languages, French, German, International letters and cultures, Italian, Russian, Spanish
Psychology and Neuroscience Early Start
- Majors: Psychology, neuroscience
School of Human Evolution and Social Change Early Start
- Majors: Anthropology, global health
School of Mathematical and Statistical Sciences Early Start
- Majors: Actuarial Sciences, computational mathematical sciences, data science, mathematics
School of Molecular Sciences Early Start
- Majors: Biochemistry, chemistry
School of Politics and Global Studies Early Start
- Majors: Global studies, international relations, political science, politics and the economy
School of Social Transformation Early Start
- Majors: African and African American studies; American studies; Asian Pacific American studies; gender, women and sexuality studies; justice studies
Sundial Early Start
- Department of Physics majors: Biophysics, physics
- School of Earth and Space Exploration majors: Earth and environmental sciences, earth and space exploration
T. Denny Sanford School of Social and Family Dynamics Early Start
- Majors: Family and human development, sociology
The Early Start experience
During Early Start, you can expect to be busy each day throughout the entirety of the program. You’ll be fully immersed in Sun Devil life through experiences guided by faculty and peer mentors from your major.
You’ll also enjoy social and academic activities tailored to your degree program. Potential activities include:
- Touring research labs and networking with scientists
- Discovering the social behavior of primates at the Phoenix Zoo
- Exploring campus and surrounding cities during First Friday art walks and other events
- Working with scientific data to explore how planets are discovered
- Taking a look at the power of stories through movies, local artists, guest speakers and more
- Going on field trips to the Arizona State Capitol, the Phoenix Art Museum and other local sites
Application deadline: Friday, July 18
Full program dates: Wednesday, August 6, to Saturday, August 16
Move-in for students living on-campus: Wednesday, August 6 (morning)
Program welcome: Wednesday, August 6 (afternoon)
Days off during the program: Sunday, August 10, and Thursday, August 14
Apply today.
Participation in The College’s Early Start program is by invitation only. Space is limited so we encourage you to apply early. Applications for fall 2025 are now closed.
If you still aren’t sure if Early Start is right for you, check out the frequently asked questions below, or get in touch with your specific program’s mentors if you have additional questions or concerns.
Frequently asked questions
Eligible students will be invited by email and will also receive a postcard in the mail.
Participation is by invitation only for the Early Start program.
There is no cost for you to attend. The College covers the cost of instruction, your room and all meals during the eleven-day program. However, if you’re unable to complete the program, you’ll be responsible for your housing cost if you continue to live on campus during the Early Start period.
You can expect to be busy from early morning until the evening. There are also activities scheduled on Saturday. Exact hours may vary depending on your specific program.
No, you will not be able to work during the program. The Early Start schedule is very time intensive, and you can expect to be busy all day and into the evening throughout the entirety of the program. You will have the two days off mentioned above to address any school-related or personal commitments.
The Early Start program is designed to maximize your success at ASU, so your attendance at all scheduled activities is required. If you would like to request a potential scheduling accommodation, email us at [email protected].
If you have a fall housing assignment, you’ll be able to live on campus during Early Start. We try to accommodate all students to move directly into their room for the fall, but some students may have a temporary room assignment during Early Start.
Yes, students who will be commuting can participate in Early Start.
“Coming to Early Start has been smooth, and again I think everyone should do Early Start because it's a really good way to prep for school and get the hang of things. …Now I know where all my classes are before it even starts.”
Aaliyah W.
Biological sciences (biomedical sciences) major
Early Start participant
“When I came here, I met all of these new people, and being around even the professors that led this program, they’re so wonderful, and they’re so good at being inclusive and drawing people together.”
Drew G.
Biological sciences (biomedical sciences) major
Early Start participant
“Early Start helped me find my community. My mentor, Professor Rhian Stotts, guided me through so much and made me feel comfortable. I am so grateful for that because without Early Start I would have never been so confident or ‘out there.’”
Maria V.
Global health major
Early Start participant