In December by Akosua

In December by Akosua - August 2024 Scholarship Essay

“High School Senior Earns Associate's Degree Before High School Diploma.”

That statement is the headline of an Instagram post I saw one day. I want to make it my reality.

My name is Akosua, and I am a high school senior. Last year, I took several dual enrollment classes at Central Piedmont Community College. Now, I am enrolled in one of the middle colleges they provide, and on track to get my Associate of Art. As a senior applying to college, a major concern of mine is paying for college, which is why I am applying for scholarships such as this one. However, taking college classes for free is a more effective way to save money, let alone earning a degree and also saving two years of school. If I earn my Associate of Arts in December, then I could keep taking classes and even earn my Associate of Science when I graduate high school. I could take more advanced classes that I will need in the future. 

This is not the only reason I am so ambitious to earn this degree a semester early. My birthday is in early December, and when I earn my Associate, I want to have an 18th birthday/graduation party. I have never had a birthday party because I do not like attention, but I have grown so much through taking college classes early on and would like to celebrate my accomplishments. 

As I mentioned before, I have grown tremendously by taking college classes in high school. My discipline was put to the test, and I was forced to independently take hold of my education instead of relying on my parents to communicate with instructors. I have also learned to efficiently manage my time and improve how I study. Earning this degree would be a milestone for me- embarking on my academic journey.

I hope that in a few months, Instagram headline or not, I receive my Associate of Art and have my 18th birthday/graduation party.