South Jersey teen earns associate degree before finishing high school

PENNS GROVE, N.J. (WPVI) -- A group of South Jersey students earned college degrees before even receiving their high school diplomas, as Salem Community College recognized more than 40 teens who completed associate programs through its first College Acceleration Program.

Among them was 17-year-old Sofia Palacios of Penns Grove High School, who finished her coursework as a junior.

"I never made easy friends in my grade and so I was like I'm just going to graduate early," said Palacios.

After receiving her associate degree this week, Palacios will collect her high school diploma later this month.

The program allowed students to earn college credits while completing their regular high school requirements.

Palacios said balancing both workloads was demanding. She worked two part-time jobs during her junior year while managing high school and college classes.

"It was a lot, but it's all just mental. In order to think you can do it, you have to believe in yourself first. That's what helped me and motivated me to know that," she said.

Palacios plans to attend Rowan University in the fall to study public health. Her long-term goal is to become an eye doctor.