Many younger students are taking the opportunity this year to earn some free college credits. These free classes aren’t for everyone though, rather they are offered as a scholarship of sorts to the high school students.
The College Credit Plus program, or CCP, is an organization made to offer some college experience to high school students. With some help from their high school guidance counselors, these students can apply to Sinclair.
Many courses are offered through this program. From classes such as art appreciation, all the way through algebra and chemistry, many courses can be taken early on to have later benefits. The only courses not offered to these students are some of Sinclair’s certification programs, such as Emergency Medical Technician or law enforcement.
There are a variety of CCP students at sinclair, some fresh faces braving their first semester, and even some seasoned returning veterans.
A first year student at Sinclair, Kyla Brandenburg, is majoring in pharmaceutical pursuits. This year she has tackled English, chemistry, and Spanish, all rigorous courses that will prepare her for her major.
She has had a very positive experience at Sinclair with the professors and the students, her only gripe being that some of the students are lazy. This laziness has affected some of her peer reviews.
However, she says she would do it all again, and the most important thing about the program is that, “It’s free!”
Maya Dunson is in the middle of her second year at Sinclair. She has been chugging along on several courses, from psychology to music appreciation and English.
She noted that transfer into the program was remarkably easy, not having to do much more than talk with counselors and fill out a basic application. Her greatest benefit in this is that she will be entering college as a sophomore now, instead of a freshman.
Her word of advice to students, “Don’t wait until the last second.” Something many college students, not just CCP, can relate to.
Catherine Thomas is a seasoned veteran. She has been at Sinclair for three years, taking everything from math to public speaking.
She had an interesting transition time from homeschool, getting used to other students. However she has stated the process as a whole has been enjoyable. Other than giving her a start at college, being at Sinclair has helped her to decide her major, that of a neuroscientist.
She tells other young students to, “Give it a shot, even if you think you can’t do it. They have a lot of fantastic resources that make it easy for students.”
This programs has started many youth on their path to many varying majors. It has pushed some students ahead, so that they have to spend less time and money in college. Others have figured out what it is they want to pursue.
CCP can give many students still in high school the opportunity to get a head start on their college coursework while easing the financial burden of attending college.
Jacob Conger
Reporter