海角乱伦

“This program has saved time and money. That was my main goal. That is how it helps us,” said 17-year-old Xavier El, who attends GTCC as part of the N.C. Career and College Promise Program.

Xavier El knows all about sticking to a tight schedule. It’s been part of his education as a Career and College Promise student at 海角乱伦.

The 17-year-old’s scholastic routine has been a successful but harried one, the past two years simultaneously attending Northwest Guilford High School and GTCC through the N.C. Career and College Promise program.

“In the mornings, I have my GTCC courses, and later in the day, I drive over to the high school and take those classes,” said El. “I only have about 25 minutes between, so I have to manage my time, getting lunch and getting to high school.”

El has managed quite well.

He will graduate from Northwest Guilford with a high school diploma and GTCC with an associate degree in science next spring. In fall 2025, he will continue his education at a four-year school to pursue a bachelor's degree in biochemistry with the eventual goal of becoming an orthodontist.

The Career and College Promise offers North Carolina high school students the chance to earn college credits at a community college campus and is tuition-free for high school juniors and seniors. Students can earn college credits transferable to all University of North Carolina system institutions and many of North Carolina’s independent colleges and universities.

“This program has saved time and money. That was my main goal. That is how it helps us,” said El, whose textbooks were also covered with a grant.

When he transfers to a four-year institute next year, he will enroll as an 18-year-old junior. Not only will he have saved two years of time but lots of money, as the Career and College Promise comes at no cost to students.

“This was the best path for me,” said El.

He says he generally has “14 to 16 assignments a week” between high school and college classes. In addition to the typical classes of a high school senior, El takes five courses a semester at GTCC.

“I’ve definitely had fewer social experiences in high school. I’m only at my high school one or two hours a day. There’s less friend activity,” said El. “But I like the college experience, being more independent.

“Being the only high schooler in some of my classes was different, but the transition (to GTCC) wasn’t that difficult. I just had to realize I was the youngest in the class.”

El has been accepted by several four-year colleges, many offering hefty scholarships, including UNC Charlotte, Wingate University, Pfieffer University, and Saint Leo University in Florida among others. He is waiting to hear back from other colleges before making a final decision.

However, no matter which four-year college he attends, El knows his time at GTCC has fully prepared him for his next educational step.