By Sydney Dych, Macomb and Walsh alum
Sixth grade is quite early to decide where you want to go to college, but my higher education future had been set after attending the Early College of Macomb (ECM) presentation at my high school’s college night. At that time, I had no idea what I would end up accomplishing only a few years later.
I started the ECM program when I was in 11th grade. Originally, I was attracted to the idea of getting an associate degree while I was still in high school, essentially accelerating my college career. I was never one for stagnation. I always had to be doing the maximum.
I completed the majority of my associate degree before I graduated high school, with over 40 credits under my belt by the time I walked for my high school diploma. Shortly after, when the last year of the ECM program rolled around, it was time to decide what to do next.
From ECM to Walsh Now: the next steps to accelerated success
This is when I met Angela Conard, a wonderful recruiter and admissions advisor from Walsh College (now Walsh). She showed me the different accelerated program options Walsh could provide, and how flexible their semesters and course options were. I knew this was my next step.
So, I applied for the BBA program and got accepted to Walsh while I was still finishing up my associate degree. I took advantage of the Walsh Now program to do that.
I was awarded the Community College Excellence award, which helped me achieve my goals of completing college with no debt. I had also been hired by Walsh to work in their admissions department.
It was just under a year later from my high school graduation that I walked again, this time for my Associate of Arts degree.
Macomb to Walsh: a perfect combination
The transition from Macomb to Walsh was almost seamless, a perfect combination. I completed my Bachelor of Business Administration in Marketing in December 2020, roughly a year after I finished my AA degree.
Using Walsh’s FastTrack program, I completed four graduate level courses in my undergraduate program. I was then able to complete my Master of Business Administration at Walsh in June 2021, only six months after graduating with my BBA, and all with no debt.
I still sometimes can’t believe I’ve made it this far in such a short amount of time! Macomb and Walsh will always hold a special place in my heart. They opened doors for me I never thought possible.