Jumpstart your college career with the Early Success Scholars pre-college program. This free and fun residential summer bridge program is tailored to 1st year incoming College of Education students (Education and Kinesiology Majors) from partnering districts in Lansing, Detroit, Flint, Grand Rapids, Saginaw, Muskegon, and the surrounding communities. 

For more information, please contact Kelley Johnson at (517) 353-5138 or johnsok1@msu.edu.

Important Dates

  • Program Dates: July 5, 2026 – July 31, 2026
  • Application Opens: February 1, 2026
  • Application Closes: May 15, 2026

What will you do?

  • Get a glimpse of college life by living and learning on MSU’s campus for four weeks  
  • Prepare for college by focusing on major and career readiness
  • Bond with graduate and undergraduate mentors
  • Earn college credits through undergraduate studies
  • Earn preferred consideration for an annual scholarship  
  • Accept a paid cash stipend upon program completion 

Experience a Summer of Fun and Adventure

Come as strangers, leave as family. Make new friends and take part in a variety of weekly fun activities, some of which include:

  • Spartan Scavenger Hunt
  • Shopping at Great Lakes Crossing Mall
  • Lansing Lugnuts Baseball Game
  • Bowling at Zap Zone XL and much more!

Criteria for Application

  • Incoming 1st year College of Education students (Education and Kinesiology Majors)

ESS helped me prepare for my upcoming college experience by giving me not only financial resources to succeed, but it also gave me a new family and helped me understand my new college life, how to support myself and ways to enjoy my time here at MSU. ESS was accepting of me and everyone else who participated. The memories we made will last a lifetime.  - Aja Mcallum, 2023 ESS Participant