Senior Sophia Simonetti is one of the several students part of THS’ largest graduating class to attend PCC after high school.
Simonetti plans to study architecture at PCC for 2 years before transferring over to the University of Oregon. Simonetti says that she made her decision in order to prioritize her future rather than think about her present.
“I do not want to put myself in a lot of financial debt for school,” Simonetti says. “College is just getting more and more expensive and I am the youngest of four kids, and the last thing I want is to put even more financial burden on my parents.”
Attending PCC not only has financial benefits for Simonetti, but education benefits as well.
“I heard community college education is better because the classes are smaller, so you have a lot more personal attention than you would in a seminar of people,” Simonetti states. “Education is the part that matters. The education is the same. I wouldn’t be going to a school if I knew the education sucked, and one was better.”
Attending PCC has personal benefits for Simonetti as well as she will be able to live at home.
“I personally don’t feel like I’m ready to go straight and live by myself,” Simonetti says. “I feel like there are a lot of things that I still have to learn, and I know that if I live with my parents at home, they’ll give me the support and guidance that I need to do that.”
Choosing to attend PCC did not come without its doubts, admits Simonetti, but her decision was reaffirmed after talking it through with her family.
“My mom [told me that] if all of [her] kids could have done community college or thought of it, [she] would have made them go, because it honestly is a smart choice,” Simonetti states.
Still, Simonetti is enthusiastic about her future after high school and recommends her path to other students considering two year education.
“The only difference is you’re at home and that’s okay,” Simonetti says. “There is nothing wrong with you. There is nothing wrong with the choice you’re making.”