When Katie Kelly graduated from high school, she accomplished an amazing feat. Not only did she receive a diploma, she also crossed the stage with an associate degree from College of Western Idaho (CWI). Now, as she steadily works toward her future career in healthcare, she is leaps and bounds ahead of her peers thanks to CWI’s Dual Credit program.
“Dual credit provided me the opportunity to get a huge head start toward my college goals at half the price,” she said. “Plus, the program I am interested in pursuing is very competitive. This will help me get ahead in that process.”
Katie started the program by taking courses online. Between her junior and senior year, she took a microbiology class on campus. The experience gave her a taste of college life; providing her with an easier transition.
“What I really like about physically taking classes at CWI is that it encourages a deeper sense of learning and increased problem solving,” Katie said.
Katie didn’t let the dust settle after graduating from Vallivue High School in Caldwell. She enrolled in summer courses at CWI, and is currently taking an anatomy and physiology class at the Canyon County Center in Nampa. She is working her way toward a second degree that will help her be more competitive when she applies to Boise State University’s radiology program.
“Taking dual credit was a really great opportunity for me,” Katie said. “It took a lot of dedication and responsibility to take college-level courses while still in high school, but it was definitely doable and well worth it.”
Katie is on track to graduate from CWI with her second associate degree in May 2017.
The CWI Foundation has scholarship opportunities for Dual Credit students. For more information, contact the Foundation office at 208.562.3100, or email foundation@cwi.edu.
