I am extremely grateful to Walsh University and St. Thomas Aquinas High School for connecting me with collegiate resources while I was still in high school. During my junior and senior years, I had the opportunity to take several College Credit Plus (CCP) courses, including Bioethics, Sociology, Algebra and Trigonometry, Calculus, and English. Taking college-level courses in a familiar and supportive high school environment challenged me academically while giving me the confidence and study habits I needed to prepare for college.
What made the experience especially valuable was learning how to manage the rigor, expectations, and structure of college coursework before becoming a full-time university student. My CCP classes taught me to become more independent in my learning, manage my time more effectively, and approach challenging material with greater confidence. By the time I graduated from St. Thomas Aquinas High School in 2023, I already had a strong foundation for the transition into college.
The credits I earned through CCP also gave me greater flexibility once I became a full-time student at Walsh University. Entering college with previously earned credits allowed me to move through portions of my general education requirements earlier and create more room in my schedule for courses required for my Biology–Pre-Medicine major. Rather than simply helping me “earn a year ahead,” CCP gave me the freedom to be more intentional about how I designed my undergraduate education.
One of the opportunities I value most is that this flexibility helped make it possible for me to pursue a minor in Health Humanities, an area I am deeply passionate about as an aspiring physician with an interest in specializing in Obstetrics and Gynecology. Through this minor, I have been able to deepen my understanding of bioethics, philosophy, medicine, and the human side of healthcare. It has also allowed me to pursue experiences such as a clinical bioethics internship at Aultman Hospital. These opportunities have strengthened my preparation for medical school while allowing me to explore interests beyond the traditional science curriculum.
As I prepare for the medical school application process, I can see how much my CCP experience has continued to benefit me. The program gave me academic preparation, greater scheduling flexibility, and a more affordable pathway toward completing college credits. Most importantly, it helped me see at a younger age that I was capable of succeeding in higher education.
I would highly recommend Walsh University’s College Credit Plus program to high school students who are willing to challenge themselves and take an early step toward their future. CCP is not only an opportunity to earn college credit; it is an opportunity to develop confidence, learn from college-level coursework, connect with professors and academic resources, and begin discovering what you want your future education to look like.
As a first-generation college student and a mentor through Walsh University’s First-Gen Cavs program, this opportunity is especially meaningful to me. I understand what it is like to come from a community where the pathway to higher education may not always feel clear or within reach. Being able to share my experience is one way I can give back and encourage students who may be walking in similar footsteps. Education opened doors for me, and I hope my story can help another student recognize that those doors are open for them, too.
I am grateful to Walsh University, St. Thomas Aquinas High School, my teachers, professors, and mentors for helping me build that foundation. I would be more than happy to connect with prospective CCP students and families who have questions or would like advice as they consider taking this step in their own educational journey.
