When Thomas Munger graduated from Mission Vista High School, there was no doubt in his mind what his next step would be.

"Coming out of high school, a lot of the expectation for seniors at my school was to go to a four-year university," Thomas recalled. "Yet even though many of my friends were traveling across the country to enroll in different universities, I chose MiraCosta College. I knew it was the financially responsible choice and the best place for my goals.”

That practical decision, which initially stemmed from necessity, became the foundation for something much bigger. Thomas, who will transfer to UCLA this fall as a political science major, discovered that his two years at MiraCosta College weren’t just a cost-effective alternative to higher education, they were life changing. They helped turn his childhood dreams into a reality.

Growing up as an adopted child, Thomas was exposed early on to the intricacies of family law and the legal system. As Thomas explained, his parents were always very open about the adoption process that they went through with him and his brother. He learned just how complex the system could be and knew he wanted to be part of the solution when he grew up.

As he grew older, that personal connection evolved through various history, government, and civics courses. And by the time he arrived at MiraCosta College, Thomas knew he wanted to pursue a career in policy. The only question was – what was the best pathway to do so.

Having already taken courses at another college, Thomas entered MiraCosta College with a leg up on his peers. What he didn’t expect was how different it would be.

“It was night and day,” shared Thomas. “I couldn’t believe it when I started my classes at MiraCosta College. My professors were so communicative and got to know me as a person. From day one, I told them I wanted to go to UCLA and they worked with me to create a plan.”

At every turn, Thomas found counselors and professors who wanted to invest in his dream. And the classroom environment was more engaging than anything he had experienced.

Professor Kristen Gonzalez, his favorite political science instructor, exemplified this supportive approach. In her international relations and American politics classes, Thomas found himself engaged in discussions that connected textbook concepts to current events. "We were talking about things that were very in touch with what was actually happening, not just reading out of a textbook about things that happened long ago."

Thomas's journey wasn't without challenges though. He worked multiple part-time jobs throughout his two years at MiraCosta College, balancing employment with his studies just to afford the required courses and expenses like transportation and books. So when he received the Elizabeth Reed Memorial Scholarship, it was an unexpected boost that helped cover books and other expenses.

On top of that, Thomas was frequently fighting that feeling of FOMO, or “fear of missing out,”

"I was definitely sad at times,” shared Thomas. “I looked at my peers in universities and felt like I was missing out on this great experience. But working on yourself for two years at MiraCosta College and knowing what you want to do in the future sets you up in a way that's invaluable, as opposed to just jumping right into it out of high school."

He learned through his critical thinking class at MiraCosta College about the power of delayed gratification. While he initially felt like he was missing out on the traditional college experience his friends were having, he came to understand the strategic advantage of his path.

And boy did it pay off. Now preparing to start classes at UCLA, Thomas has his sights set on specializing in public law then continuing on to law school.

Said Thomas, “It’s crazy to think that two years ago I created a plan with the help of the MiraCosta College counselors, and now it’s all happening just like we planned.”

For students considering a similar path, Thomas offers wisdom of someone who took the path less traveled compared to his peers. Thomas was so stressed about being the perfect students and measuring himself against what he saw on social media. But as Thomas explained, “You can have your own story. You don’t have to have millions of extracurriculars or a 4.0 GPA to accomplish your dreams.”

For Thomas, success was rooted in thoughtful choices and supported by a community that believed in his potential.