Education Profiles: Exploration
College Choices
Experience is the Key to Success
by Diane S.W. Lee
Never did I imagine I'd spend three years of my life at Kapiolani Community College (KCC). In fact, I never planned to attend college in the first place! My friends confidently applied to schools on the mainland. I, on the other hand, did not bother applying. Unlike my peers, I was confident that I'd get rejected. Several of my classmates graduated with honors while I barely even made it out of high school! But, with the guidance of my strict Chinese mother, I enrolled in community college. Fortunately, the open admissions policy at KCC offered me immediate acceptance on the condition that I acquire all necessary immunization shots.
Despite a slew of criticism from relatives for attending a community college as opposed to a four-year university, I quickly found my niche in the community-like atmosphere. During my first semester, I registered for six courses. In between classes, I worked on campus at my first paying job. Friends, co-workers, and even acquaintances nicknamed me "lolo" or in plain English: crazy. Yet, I finally did something that I had never done before in high school — study.
Many students apply to prestigious colleges and universities to conform to the norm and because their parents insist they attend a well-known university to acquire a high paying career. Although attending a well-known university may improve one's chances of finding work, a career is not guaranteed upon graduation.
Students who are accepted to Ivy League universities often have more than just stellar grades to pad their applications; they have life experiences as well. Some of the most selective universities like Yale and Stanford have been turning away even top student applicants, despite high academic qualifications. These schools want more than just outstanding grades from applicants; they expect extracurricular activities, community service, and work experience.
I may not have attended an Ivy League university, but the quality of education and experiences I've received at KCC have been worth it. I've met fascinating people along the way: teachers whom I respect and admire; classmates, co-workers and interview subjects turned friends — many of whom I would've never met if I had not attended this two-year college. Any school I choose to attend may not determine my future or level of success, but what I accomplish while I'm there, will. I will finally be able to say that I've exhausted every available opportunity on campus.
As I look back, I wonder how I was able to survive college — not to mention, four incredibly long years of high school. Although presently, I am not an honors student, I am proud to say that I have been accepted to all the mainland schools I've applied to. I will be transferring to my first choice university for the fall semester.
After obtaining a certificate or degree, many community college students make the mistake of thinking that it's the end of their education. For me, however, graduating from KCC is only the beginning of a long journey.
Reprinted with permission from the KAPI‘O Newspress.