On the afternoon of June 8, 2023, while the sun was shining through the clouds on the Middle College graduation, Snehal Lobo was getting ready to walk the stage as part of the class of 2023.
Lobo was getting ready to celebrate three major accomplishments: receiving her high school diploma plus two associate degrees from Grossmont College, one in business administration and one in economics. Lobo accomplished this at the age of 17, making her the youngest graduate of the class of 2023.
For Lobo, her journey after Grossmont College includes transferring to UC Los Angeles where she plans to pursue a career as quantitative economist and hopes to work in government. We talked to Lobo after her graduation to learn more about her story, her participation in the Middle College program and more.
What is your story?
“I grew up as the eldest daughter in an Indian house, which is never any fun because all the pressure is on you. My mom was 25 when she had me, so she was kind of raising herself as she was raising me. So, that was hard to deal with. When I was younger, she was strict. Like if I were to get something wrong on my spelling test like “people” she would have me spell it 20 times.”
Why economics and business?
“I have always been interested in math, my dad played a lot of solitaire and sudoku. That just kind of got me interested in the math field.”
What is the Grossmont Middle College High School program?
“The Middle College program is where high school students get a head start on college, whether that be financially or getting used to the college workload. We have to take at least 6 units a semester, these are all college classes. You can do general educations classes. You can do specialty classes like career technical education. Just really anything that interests you.”
What inspired you to take this route?
“Have you heard about the college board? Well, my college classes are only a semester long, we get guaranteed credit if we pass the class. Which worked better for me than your AP credit hinging on one test. That’s why I wanted to do the college class route. And this was the best school for that.”
What classes did you choose?
“I did a mix, I wanted to get an associate by the time I left the high school. I did get that, I got one in business administration and one in economics.”
How did you stay motivated?
“For me education is very valued in my family, so it is a bit easier to stay on the education route. But it was definitely hard, like this spring semester I think I overloaded on college credits. Plus, I was finishing up high school as well. Sleep gets sacrificed a bit, you know. When you are that close to your goal you just kind of go for it.”