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Quinn McCrimmon, a senior at Cedar Ridge High School in Hillsborough and student at ��ɫ��Ƶ, has taken full advantage of the dual enrollment program.

“I learned about the program early on so that was kind of nice,” McCrimmon said. “It was like, if you want to be part of all this craziness that is dual enrollment, get your high school classes in order, sign up, then apply. So, I did all that.”

McCrimmon chose to enroll for the challenge, but was told another reason dual enrollment is a good option by a friend’s mother, who is an admissions officer.  

“Being in college now shows schools I will apply to that I can do the work because I am already doing it. This is opposed to doing just regular high school courses where you prove you can do high school well,” McCrimmon said. “By coming to ��ɫ��Ƶ I am showing I can handle making my own schedule, show up for class every day and adapt my learning style to a college level. It’s helpful on college applications to be able to say I know how to do this already. You don’t have to worry about me. I’ve been doing it for two years now.”

McCrimmon said that her classes at ��ɫ��Ƶ have not only prepared her for her next step but have shown her how great classes can touch students.

“My Late American Literature teacher was the best,” McCrimmon said. “He decided we were to read all our assignments outside of class and then come together to discuss the literature.  It’s the most in-depth course I’ve taken. Getting to talk to people and understand what they thought about the readings and how their backgrounds changed how they saw things was insane. Incredible. We had deep discussions. It was eye opening.”

From classes at the College to the ��ɫ��Ƶ community, McCrimmon said both are transferable to her next opportunity.

“The ��ɫ��Ƶ community atmosphere will transfer to wherever I end up going to school,” she said. “Small things like getting used to going to different buildings and being able to ask someone for directions. You get so used to being at your high school surrounded by people you know and see every day. At ��ɫ��Ƶ I got used to being tossed around a bit and finding my way. You meet so many more people. Unlike high school, the students at ��ɫ��Ƶ actually hang around on campus after class. I talk to the most random people every day. It’s great.”

As for next steps, McCrimmon said she has applied to colleges and is ready for that next step.  

“I have applied regular decision to in-state colleges and some out-of-state, so I won’t know for a few weeks,” McCrimmon said. “And I was just contacted by a coach at the University of Louisville about rowing for the school. I swim but have never rowed. My mom and my aunt rowed for Villanova. The coach told me to apply and get with him. So, I am going to do an app for Louisville. I don’t feel that anyone’s experience is completely comparable. We are all so different, we walk different paths. Like I never thought I’d consider rowing in college and now I am.”

McCrimmon is not sure of exactly where she plans to study next and is keeping her options open.

McCrimmon plans to major in computer science, but is not sure of the exact area of the field she will specialize in.

“Because everything is changing so fast, I refuse to pick one area right now,” she said. “But data analytics does interest me.”

One thing McCrimmon is sure of is how ��ɫ��Ƶ’s dual enrollment program has and will help her financially.

“My mom received a half ride to Villanova and she just finished paying off her student debt when I started high school,” McCrimmon said. “I will have my associates degree only having to pay for the books I use. Amazing. Dual enrollment is a great way to get through general education classes and not have to pay for the same education you’d receive at a four-year university. With dual enrollment, you are lifted out of that college debt situation. It is an amazing opportunity.”

The amazing opportunity their daughter has had is not lost on McCrimmon’s parents.

“They are my biggest cheerleaders,” she said. “We actually cleared a wall in the house and filled it with sticky notes as we figured out which classes I needed and when I needed to take them. My parents are involved in such a good way and they remind me to breathe.”

After graduation in May, McCrimmon reflected on her time at ��ɫ��Ƶ.  

“��ɫ��Ƶ has given me many things, getting to meet all the different people and getting to know myself a little more,” she said. “I’ve developed the skill of knowing how I learn best. ... I learned time management. I learned to communicate with my instructors. Most importantly, I learned to advocate for myself.”