What started as a fun challenge became an incredible opportunity for Christian Acosta, a Dwight D. Eisenhower Senior High School senior and Lone Star College-Houston North dual credit student. Acosta earned an early admissions spot at Johns Hopkins University and will attend this fall with a full-ride scholarship.
“Lone Star College-Houston North Dual Credit courses are challenging and fun and have thoroughly prepared me to get into Johns Hopkins University and excel in the rigorous courses that await me,” said Acosta.
Enrolled in LSC-Houston North Dual Credit courses at Eisenhower High School, Acosta applied to the EMERGE Scholars program, introducing him to Johns Hopkins University and the opportunity to apply for early admissions. In December 2023, the prestigious university admitted him and 549 other applicants through Early Decision I, making them the first members of the 2028 undergraduate class.
“I believe Johns Hopkins University may have been impressed by Christian’s scholastic achievement, tenacity and dedication to excellence, making him an exceptional applicant for their university,” said Micheal Crouch, LSC-Houston North manager, School Partnerships. “While the Lone Star College Dual Credit program provided Christian with invaluable support and the vehicle for his success, he took control of his destiny, made the sacrifices and is now reaping the rewards of his hard work.”
At Johns Hopkins University, Acosta plans to earn a bachelor’s and master’s degree in public health, political science or international affairs to help bridge the gap between various disadvantaged groups in the world, support movements for human rights and do great things to advance the future of this country. Ultimately, he wants to make his parents proud and encourage other Hispanic students to dream big.
“It was Christian’s dream to attend Johns Hopkins and we are extremely proud and excited for him,” said Walter and Daysi Acosta, Acosta’s parents. “Lone Star College’s Dual Credit program helped our son gain admissions. We encourage other parents to look into these opportunities for their children.”
Entering his junior year at Eisenhower, Acosta wanted to take advanced courses, earn college credit and boost his chances of attending a good university. He chose LSC’s Dual Credit program because it would allow him to take challenging courses while pursuing personal interests and inspiring his friends to advance their own education with LSC.
“The International Baccalaureate program was a good option, but I still wanted to participate in school-related organizations that would develop me as a person,” Acosta said. “Lone Star College’s Dual Credit courses allowed me to participate in marching band, jazz, the speech and debate club, the National Honor Society, HOSA, the soccer club and start my own civics club at school.”
Acosta, ranked third in his graduating class, is the first LSC-Houston North dual credit student at Eisenhower Senior High School to earn an associate degree and high school diploma simultaneously. The student will become a licensed certified medical assistant when he graduates in May.
The Lone Star College Dual Credit program offers high school students an opportunity to get a head start on earning a college degree. They can enroll in courses to earn academic credit from their high school and LSC. Classes can transfer toward an Associate of Arts or Associate of Science degree. Learn more at LoneStar.edu/DualCredit.
Lone Star College enrolls over 80,000 students each semester providing high-quality, low-cost academic transfer and career training education. LSC is training tomorrow’s workforce today and redefining the community college experience to support student success. Mario K. Castillo, J.D., serves as Chancellor of LSC, the largest institution of higher education in the Houston area and has been named a 2023 Great Colleges to Work For® institution by the Chronicle of Higher Education. LSC consists of eight colleges, seven centers, eight Workforce Centers of Excellence and Lone Star Corporate College. To learn more, visit LoneStar.edu.