Why I Chose Community College

By: Dani Plascencia

During my senior year of high school, I began contemplating the idea of attending college. I saw many of my peers attending SAT prep classes on weekends, meeting with their private tutors every other day, and consulting their parents for help with college applications. This significantly discouraged me from going into a four-year university right after high school, especially since my status at the time made everything feel so uncertain. All this made it so I did not see college in my future.

I dedicate this post to my high school counselor, who wasn’t really hired as a school counselor, Mrs. Moreno. It was through her that I felt heard and encouraged to continue my educational journey. She personally drove me and a group of friends to visit nearby campuses and coordinated events for us to attend. It was because of her and her efforts that I decided to enroll at De Anza Community College.

At De Anza, I was a part of a program named First-Year Experience. This is a cohort-oriented program specifically designed for first-generation, low-income students. With their help, I was able to explore different career paths which interested me. By having a dedicated counselor, especially knowing that they had the best intentions for me, I was finally able to trust an educator. These programs helped me keep a great GPA while encouraging me to step out of my comfort zone. I began surrounding myself with supportive educators and peers who wanted to see me succeed. These resources and people have helped me come out of my shell, educated me on topics never once mentioned, and provided a safe space to express my needs and wants as a non-traditional student. Through this experience, I learned that I am worthy of an education and I aspire to create radical change for other students like me.