Brittany ReederStaff Writer
Political Science major Omega McKinnon is a first-year student at N.C. State, but she is no stranger to college life. This Greensboro, North Carolina native had her first year of college paid for by her county school system.
McKinnon, a graduate of James B. Dudley High School, had the opportunity to attend college during her senior year of high school. As part of the Early College Academy, she enrolled in a curriculum that focused on advanced academics and allowed its students to study at an area college campus.
The program gave McKinnon the option to attend either High Point University, Greensboro College, The University of North Carolina at Greensboro, or North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University.
McKinnon chose the latter, which included having her tuition, books and fees paid for. “It was good because college is so expensive,” she said. “If you can get college paid for why not take it? That’s almost $15,000 I saved already.”
Because of this unique opportunity, McKinnon may have an upper hand on traditional freshman.
“Most first-year students are just coming out of high school. I was able to get a taste of college life,” she said. “I also took history, English, biology, calculus, sociology and criminal justice classes.”
Being a high school student on a college campus did have its benefits, but it also had its downsides. McKinnon remembers that she wasn’t able to participate in student activities. “We couldn’t participate [in organizations] because we were considered high school students,” she said. This is one thing she said she wants to change during her time here at NCSU.
She is looking forward to being active in campus clubs and organizations.
“I’m thinking about getting involved in IRC, SAAC and later Student Government,” she said. “I’m very motivated, and looking forward to being around people that are motivated [too].”
Even though she has college experience, this is McKinnon’s first time experiencing residence hall life, and she said she needs time to become acclimated. Although she was enrolled in classes, McKinnon wasn’t able to stay on N.C. A&T’s campus because of her high school student status. She is adjusting to many things, including having a roommate and paying to wash clothes.
“It’s a new experience having a new person living with me that’s not my family,” she said. “I’ve never washed my clothes myself [either]. It’s [also] going to be a new experience learning to wash clothes without messing anything up.”
While this may be her first traditional year on a college campus, McKinnon doesn’t think of herself as a freshman because of the coursework she completed through the Early College Academy. “I consider myself to be a sophomore because I have 30 credit hours from A&T, which is the requirement to be a sophomore at State,” she said. With one year under her belt, McKinnon hopes to complete her B.A. in political science in three years.
Her ultimate career goal is to enter the legal profession. “I want to make sure innocent people that are in jail get out, and [the] people that [really] commit crimes are punished,” McKinnon said.
She said she wants to ensure everyone has a fair trial in the criminal justice system.
Grateful to have one year of college completed, McKinnon offers advice to other first year students based on her experiences, “It’s OK to have fun, but do your work first, and then have fun.”
