The classes you take in high school are key for preparing you for college, and are a major factor colleges consider when you apply. We’ve written before about AP classes and the International Baccalaureate program, and about what colleges are looking for in high school grades. In this article, we’ll cover a more comprehensive approach to high school curriculums, and give you advice on what courses to sign up for to prepare you for college.
We’ll start by giving a general overview of what courses top colleges favor in applicants, and then go over specific cases. Namely, what electives you should sign up for, whether you should take free periods, the debate around calculus, and unique classes for different interests. Let’s get started!
What Classes Do Colleges Like To See?
As we discussed before, top colleges want to see that you have taken the hardest classes possible, and gotten high grades in them. Of course, what counts as the hardest classes varies a lot between high schools. In most, however, it’s some admixture of honors, AP, and IB.
Your coursework is judged in the context of your high school, so if you are only allowed to sign up for APs in junior year, you won’t be docked points for not taking any before that. If, however, your high school offers many AP classes, and you seem to be avoiding them, admissions officers will question your academic commitment.
There is no set number of AP classes you need to take, and you also do not need to take only AP courses. Generally, after 8 such courses you see diminishing returns. We recommend taking enough courses to challenge but not overwhelm you.
The exact courses you have available depend on your high school, but we recommend all students take the following classes, if possible:
- Math through Calculus (more on this later)
- A foreign language, since almost all colleges have a foreign language component
- Four years of science
- Four years of English
If you have particular academic interests already, they should be reflected in the courses you take. If you are applying as a Biology major, and your school offers AP Bio, colleges will expect that you took it (and did well). This is true for many majors. While not all majors are represented at the high school level, you should do your best to explore fields related to your intended major. We have specific advice on schedules and AP courses to take based on your intended major in our article on AP classes.
What Electives Should I Take?
A lot of this depends on your high school, and what options they offer. Each high school has its own policy on electives; generally however, the further you get into your time in high school, the more you can theoretically take.
We say theoretically, because we recommend doing four full years of each of the core academic subjects: English, math, history/social studies, science, and a foreign language. While some schools allow these to be replaced with electives for upperclassmen, we recommend all students serious about attending a top college do four full years of each.
This will leave you with one or two electives per year, spending on how your school organizes its schedules. We recommend taking classes which supplement your academic interests, or which are useful for you generally. For example, I took classes on cooking and personal finance as electives in high school.
Finally, some students have an extracurricular as an elective, such as choir, orchestra, or their sport. Colleges are used to this, and it will not negatively impact your admissions chances. Indeed, read our article on extracurriculars to learn how you can use these to benefit your application.
Taking Free Periods
Free periods are an option some high schools offer, which let you get an extra lunch, study in the library, or even leave campus at some schools. These are a very tempting option for many students, especially as graduation nears and motivation wanes. This is a mistake!
While we understand and sympathize with the urge to relax when possible, you have to remember what colleges are looking for. They want to see that you’re academically curious, and have pushed yourself intellectually. A schedule full of free periods does not give that impression.
Taking one free period is a reasonable option, especially if your school does odd things with scheduling, but you should always see if there’s another option. An “easy” extracurricular, such as cooking or acting, requires little effort or homework, but looks better on a transcript.
Should I Take Calculus?
Recently, there has been a debate over the place of calculus in college admissions. Admissions officers have long prized calculus, which is generally seen as the peak of mathematical achievement in high school. Completing basic calculus is also a prerequisite for many majors, so students who enter college with that knowledge have a significant advantage when it comes time to select courses.
Critics have raised a valid criticism of this model, however: half of all US high schools do not even offer calculus as an option for their students. This means many students have an automatic disadvantage when it comes to college admissions. While colleges do take a student’s academic context into account when they evaluate applications, there are allegations that a lack of calculus on a transcript will always work against students.
This is exacerbated in certain fields. Engineering and computer science especially require calculus to make any headway, and often will not allow students to take courses in the major if they do not have the needed mathematical prerequisites.
Critics also point out the economics and racial disparity in the availability of calculus. The high schools which lack it are disproportionately poor, either urban or rural, and serve students who are already underprivileged. The emphasis on calculus in admissions therefore only serves as another roadblock for these students when applying to colleges.
It remains to be seen if this debate will shift the importance of calculus in college admissions. It remains true that calculus is an important prerequisite for many fields of study, but the undue emphasis does disadvantage many students. We don’t know what the future holds, but we will keep you updated on any developments.
Unique Class Options
Some high schools have class options which are not geared towards all students. Performing arts high schools, STEM high schools, and technical high schools all offer advanced options in niche areas. We’ll cover each briefly, and discuss what benefits these schools and course options offer.
STEM High Schools
These high schools are rare, and have a particular focus on science and technology subjects. These are often selective magnet schools in large cities, with incredibly competitive admissions. These schools, and the courses they offer, are well regarded for how well they prepare students for college.
These schools often offer advanced options in math, science, and technology. This includes math beyond calculus, more advanced physics, more specialized chemistry, and more in-depth computer science courses than you can find in standard high schools. If you are interested in studying STEM subjects, and have a STEM high school near you, we recommend looking into their admissions requirements.
Arts High Schools
These schools have a focus on the arts, often performing arts. While they offer all the same academic classes as standard high schools, they have greatly expanded options for the arts. This includes additional options to perform, direct, choreograph, and run the technical side of arts as well.
The academic side of these high schools is often good, but that isn’t the reason students attend them. If you are interested in pursuing arts at a higher level, in college or beyond, these schools are a good option for you. As with STEM high schools, most are only available as magnet schools in large urban areas.
Technical High Schools
These high schools have less of an academic focus, and instead offer courses which teach technical skills. These are less suited to prepare students for college, but if you wish to enter a trade instead, they can give you a leg up. If your goal is to attend a top college, these high schools are not the best choice for you.
Some non-technical high schools also offer classes of this type. My high school, for instance, offered a course on automotive repair. This was just another elective available, and most students did not consider it. If you have an interest in these topics, but still want to focus on college primarily, these can be interesting classes to take, especially for students interested in engineering.
Final Thoughts
The high school you go to matters for college admissions, but the classes you take while there are equally important. We hope that this article has given you a general introduction to your options for high school courses, and offered you actionable advice on which classes will best serve your goals.
College admissions are complicated, and increasingly competitive, which means students and parents start worrying about college admissions earlier and earlier. We know this can be incredibly stressful, and hope that articles such as this help you deal with the challenges of both. If you want to hear how else we can help you, in high school and with college admissions, check out our candidacy building service, and schedule a free consultation today!
