Meet our Graduate

Carlos Sandoval, 2011 Graduate

Honor’s scholar and MiraCosta College 2011 graduate Carlos Sandoval has kept his eye on the prize of a college degree even in the most trying of times.  At just 18 years of age, he is now is transferring to UCLA in the fall where he plans to earn his B.A. in psychology and later attend medical school to become a psychiatrist.

Carlos has been very involved in student activities at MiraCosta College, including working at the school newspaper, as a student ambassador, and as a student blogger.  One of his best experiences was with the Honor’s Scholar Program and its director, Christopher Sleeper. 

“Christopher is extremely helpful and very supportive to the students,” says Carlos.  “He is passionate about the Honor’s Program and he pushes hard for the students.   With a goal of raising their awareness level, Christopher gets the students involved in activities that are very community-minded.  Everyone in the Honors Program has similar educational goals, so there is great support.”

In addition to the great support of the Honor’s Program, Carlos praises the MiraCosta College professors and the friendly atmosphere of the campus. “I attended another local community college for awhile, but I couldn’t speak to the professors, and there was no Honor’s Program.  MiraCosta College is very inclusive, culturally diverse, has great health services, and the quality of the teaching is outstanding.”

Carlos has shown a firm dedication to education even when facing substantial obstacles.  Native to and living in Las Vegas, Nevada, Carlos traveled to Tijuana with his Mexico-born parents and siblings when a recession hit when he was in high school.   Carlos says, “Living in Tijuana was very challenging.  I didn’t even leave the house.” After living in Tijuana for four months, his self-employed parents moved the family to Oceanside in 2008.  When they arrived, Carlos was determined to complete his high school education so he enrolled in the Oceanside Academic Acceleration Recovery Center (AARC).  Through one of his counselors, Carlos learned about MiraCosta College and began to explore his educational options.  One year later, in the fall of 2009, Carlos started classes at MiraCosta College while completing the requirements necessary for high school graduation.

What is Carlos’ advice to new students? “Completely ignore what you did in high school, good or bad.  This is a fresh start.  You start from zero here and have to work hard.  Get involved in student activities.  If you put a lot of effort in now, you will take a lot out later. “