LCCC Great Grads

Rachel Sanchez

Grad Goes from Indifferent Attitude Toward College to 4.0 Grade Point Average

When Rachel Sanchez’s parents Maria and Richard encouraged her apply for the Early College High School at LCCC, she really was indifferent about the whole idea. In fact, she was afraid of missing out on her high school experience at Lorain Admiral King.

“A lot of my friends said I shouldn’t do it because I wouldn’t have any fun and I’d miss out on high school,” Sanchez remembers.

But she went ahead and applied, was picked in the lottery drawing for the first class from Lorain City Schools, and got started on earning her high school diploma and associate of arts degree at the same time. And it wasn’t easy, she admits.

“That first semester was hard, especially the smaller school setting. And it was difficult getting used to all of the new kids that I had never met before. But I ended up making new friends that I might not have made if I didn’t go the Early College High School,” Sanchez said.

She also earned a 4.0 grade point average the first semester.  While she considered herself a pretty good student, she was advised that it would take a lot of work to earn a 4.0 every semester.  

Once that challenge was made ­the only thing she could do was accept it. 

“No one holds your hand,” the 18-year-old said. “Here you need to learn how to do things on your own, keep on top of yourself and not procrastinate. I learned how to study and developed a good work ethic.”

Sanchez has maintained her 4.0 grade point average going into finals week too.

And the girl who said she was quiet and reserved when she started in the ECHS program blossomed and mentored new freshmen both academically and personally during her four years in the program. She’s glad she did.

“I really enjoyed knowing all of my teachers and the principal. That’s not something you’re always able to do at a larger high school,” Sanchez said. “It was a great experience being integrated on a campus with college students.”

While there is a history of teachers in her family, Sanchez said she will stay another year at LCCC to work on earning a bachelor of business administration degree from Kent State University through the University Partnership program.

“I’ll see where that takes me when I’m done,” she said.

There’s no doubt she’ll take on this new challenge and that the only way she’ll go is up.