Adria Clines
Hello! My name is Adria Clines, and I'm a Running Start student at Sehome High School through Whatcom Community College. I am a senior in high school and was motivated to start my college career before graduating because I've always been a student that has craved a challenge beyond what has been offered to me, so I recognized that there was an amazingly generous, and special opportunity being offered to me with the Running Start program. I was also inspired to begin taking classes through WCC because I was able to meet some of the professors before starting, like my bassoon instructor, and I realized that the level of education offered at WCC is just as incredible as some of the local universities for a more affordable cost; I could trust that my instructors and courses would propel my learning substantially. A large part of my personal journey with education is the financial aspect that I have faced all of my life. If it were not for the scholarship opportunities, and Running Start options that organizations, public schooling, and WCC offer me I would not be able to afford completing all of the courses I would like to.
Please share some details about your experience at WCC. What are you studying? What will do you after your time at WCC? Why did you choose WCC?
I am still in the early stages of my college career at WCC, and in general, but I am excited for the courses ahead of me here. My starting goal in choosing to go to WCC has been to complete most of my prerequisites and general coursework required for the major I would like to pursue of ASL interpreting. This major is unfortunately offered at very few schools, so I am planning on attending Western Oregon University upon graduating high school. My experience at WCC is ideal right now though because through scholarships and Running Start I get to take advantage of in-state schooling, before I go into interpreting in Oregon. So far at WCC I've taken English 101, Math 151 and 152, and Communication, and am enrolled for the fall quarter! Even though these are not focused on a major they have set a great first impression of college course work and have been very supportive and interesting. I chose Running Start at WCC over other community colleges because the class sizes are always small, which makes connecting with professors super easy, and the location, and open accessibility of the school and amenities is very helpful.
