Admissions officers look for a solid foundation of study you can build on in college. Taking five challenging academic classes per semester helps create that foundation.
If you’re in high school and thinking about college─and you should be─you should know that the courses you take matter. That’s because college admissions officers want to see a solid foundation of learning you can build on in college.
To create that foundation, take at least five solid academic classes every semester. Start with the basics, and then move on to challenging yourself in advanced courses. The courses listed below should prepare you for success in college and beyond.
Take English every year. Traditional courses, such as American and English literature, help improve your writing skills, reading comprehension, and vocabulary.
Algebra and geometry help you succeed on admission tests and in college math classes. Take them early so that you'll have time for advanced science and math, which will show colleges that you're ready for higher-level work.
Most colleges want students with three years of high school math. The more competitive colleges prefer four years. Take some combination of the following:
Science teaches you how to think analytically and apply theories to reality. Colleges want to see that you’ve taken at least three years of laboratory science classes. A good combination includes a year of each of these:
Competitive schools expect four years of lab science courses, which you may be able to get by taking advanced classes in these same areas.
Improve your understanding of local and world events by studying the cultures and history that helped shape them. Here’s a suggested high school course plan:
Studying a foreign language shows you're willing to stretch beyond the basics. Many colleges require at least two years of study in the same foreign language, while others prefer more.
The arts help you recognize patterns, learn to notice differences and similarities, and exercise your mind in unique ways.
Some colleges require or recommend one or two semesters in the arts. Choices include studio art, dance, music, and drama.
To ready yourself for college-level work, enroll in challenging high school courses, such as honors classes, AP courses, or IB-program courses. Find out about taking college classes in high school or at a local college.
Use College Search to research the academic requirements of your preferred college to ensure you’re on the path to admission. Also, you can meet with a school counselor or teacher to ask questions about choosing classes and staying on track for college.
