From Northern Mexico to the medical lab: how ASU Prep Phoenix is helping students find their calling
For Omar Sabori Santos, the journey to graduation was not measured in miles alone. It was measured in the obstacles he overcame to get there.
Raised in a small city in northern Mexico, Omar entered ASU Preparatory Academy Phoenix facing a significant language barrier. Today, he is not just a high school graduate. He is a college-ready scholar with two years of university credit already completed through Arizona State University.
As part of the cohort that helped ASU Prep Phoenix become Arizona’s only 2025 ACT School of Excellence, Omar’s story is a testament to the power of persistence, college-prep opportunities and the specialized support of the Sun Devil community.
Overcoming the barrier
Omar’s freshman year looked very different from his senior year. What began as a struggle with language evolved into a deep-seated passion for medical sciences, higher education and helping others improve their health.
“When I look back at myself in 9th grade, I never imagined what I have accomplished today,” he said. “I was raised in a small city in northern Mexico, and when I first moved to the U.S., I thought the language barrier I faced during my freshman year would be a huge obstacle that might prevent me from achieving my academic goals. However, when I started taking Universal Learner Courses related to healthcare, I realized that my passion is helping others to improve their health.”
ASU Preparatory Academy, Arizona’s only ACT 2025 School of Excellence, helps students prepare for college well before they graduate by offering:
- College-level coursework and university course access
- Financial aid guidance and tuition-free college credit opportunities
- Personalized support for college applications and admissions timelines
- Hands-on career exploration and university-connected pathways
- Resources and support from ASU, a world-class university ranked #1 in innovation for more than a decade
A life-changing lecture
Thanks to a special partnership with the ASU Downtown Phoenix campus, ASU Prep students can get a taste of university life early by taking college classes in person and enrolling in courses while still in high school.
For Omar, stepping into a huge lecture hall for the first time helped him see what he wanted for his future.
“The first time I attended a concurrent college course at the ASU Downtown campus was a life-changing experience,” he said. “It was the very first time I was in a classroom with more than 100 students and my professor had a microphone to perform the lecture.”
That was when I realized that a college education really improves people’s lives and leads them to have a successful future, and I knew that I wanted to achieve a professional career in the medical field.”
The reality of the rigor
Managing both medical studies and high school work is tough. Omar openly shares that he felt a lot of academic stress during the Spring 2026 term, especially while taking BIO 201: Human Anatomy and Physiology, a challenging college-level class.
“My responsibilities pushed me to reduce procrastination and manage my time more effectively,” he said, describing BIO 201 as one of the most challenging but transformational experiences of his academic journey. “I had to develop new study methods to retain a large amount of information, which was difficult at first. I experienced a lot of frustration, but little by little, I learned how to study effectively and prepare for weekly labs and quizzes.”
By facing these challenges, Omar built strong time management and college-readiness skills that will help him in college and in his future healthcare career.
When burnout began affecting his personal life, Omar turned to the school’s support network, proving that students at ASU Prep never have to navigate the college preparation journey alone.
Financial freedom for the future
For immigrant families, the head start that ASU Prep offers can change lives. Omar finished his Associate of Arts degree while still in high school, earning two years of college credit at no cost to his family through ASU Prep.
“We are not a wealthy family, and college can be very expensive, so saving these two years of tuition has had a significant financial impact,” Omar shared.
Omar wants to become a Physician Assistant (PA), which means he will need a bachelor’s degree, graduate-level PA school and clinical experience. For students like him, getting college credit early, financial aid help, and college prep support can save a lot of time and money on their degrees.
“Saving two years allows me to reach my professional goals sooner and begin working in healthcare at a younger age,” explained Omar.
I come from an immigrant family, and my parents have always worked very hard to help me achieve my academic goals and pursue a college education. Being able to complete two years of college credits for free has been incredibly helpful for both me and my family.”
Inspiring the next class
Omar’s journey from a hesitant freshman to a college-ready graduate pursuing a career in healthcare is an inspiration for future ASU Prep Phoenix students.
His advice for incoming freshmen is to explore opportunities early, stay curious and never give up.
“Taking college classes in many areas will help you figure out what your passion is,” Omar said. “It does not matter if you are not sure what you want to do in the future. Use your resources, put in effort and never give up. All your hard work will pay off, trust!”
Ready to help your student discover their future before graduation?
At ASU Preparatory Academy, students from preschool through grade 12 benefit from personalized learning, college-prep opportunities, hands-on experiences and a supportive community that meets them where they are. Through college credit opportunities, mentorship and real-world learning, ASU Prep helps students confidently prepare for higher education and future careers.
Explore how ASU Prep helps students prepare for college, earn college credit in high school, save on tuition and build a clear path toward college and career success.
Sign up for a virtual information session, visit the campus or talk with an advisor to learn how your student can working toward their future today.
Read more inspiring stories, including:
- How school counselor Serina Trevino helped build a college-ready culture
- The steps Aaliyah Ordorica took to earn an associate’s degree and find her passion for project management in high school
