The high school courses a student takes, the grades they earn, and the transcripts they produce are some of the first things a college admissions reader sees. How can students choose the right courses?
Choosing the right classes can strengthen your academic profile, showcase your interests, and demonstrate your ability to handle challenging coursework. But how many AP or honors classes should a student take? Do colleges prefer AP or IB courses? These are the questions many students ask, and we'll be answering some of them in our blog.
There's a common misconception that there is a universal approach to the evaluation process. Students are surprised to learn that admissions readers evaluate students within the context of what's available at their high school.
In other words, a student applying from a private high school in Los Angeles, California, will not be evaluated in the same way a student applying from a public high school in Minneapolis, Minnesota. If a high school doesn't offer Advanced Placement (AP) courses, it would be rather unfair for a college to expect students to have taken those courses, right? Right!
Understanding this perspective early is key to successful high school course selection and academic progression. It can help students be strategic about the courses they take, without overloading themselves.
While the advice we share will help with broader practices, be sure to seek support from your school counselor and from your teachers. It’s a great way to connect with them, reflect on your own interests and strengths, and build a plan that makes the most sense for you based on what is offered in your school.
Working with private counselors also has many benefits (besides this blog, of course). Teaming up with experts who have worked in admissions can bring clarity to how applications are evaluated. Leveraging these insights as early as grade 8 or 9 can help students establish a strong academic roadmap.
Related: What Matters to Colleges from Freshman Year of High School?
Admission officers love it when they see that a student has challenged themselves with their course load. But there is a fine line between challenging and overwhelming yourself. Taking too many rigorous courses can lead to burnout and lower grades. Instead, students should consider prioritizing AP or honors courses in subjects that are most interesting, spark intellectual curiosity, and relate to their potential college major.
There is no set number of courses a student should take to guarantee college admission. Many factors will change the answer to that question, including:
Given the nuisances to this question, it's more important to ask: What should students prioritize when choosing high school courses? The answer? Focus on quality over quantity. Strong performance in fewer rigorous classes is better than struggling in too many. Upward progression is better than downward trends.
Ideally, your level of rigor will increase each year throughout high school. It's also perfectly fine for your academic interests to change and your academic transcript to change along with it. That's the point of high school. Taking courses may lead students to identify other interests or encourage them to focus more on one area over another. Take some time to reflect on what you're interested in today and how these choices can be your guiding light for the future and time spent in college.
At Collegewise, we always recommend students cast a wide net in grade 9 and narrow their focus as they move closer to grade 12. Taking every core subject throughout high school is not always necessary, especially for students applying to specialized majors. Taking the time to review major requirements early is key to understanding which courses to take.
On the flip side, many students are unclear about their major and consider applying undecided. For those students, it may be worthwhile to continue taking every core subject to leave options on the table. Some students don't decide their intended major until right before college applications are due. These students have a fair less stressful experience when they take core subjects each year.
After you consider how your course rigor fits in with your academic interests, find balance in the rigor of your schedule with all of the other things you do. Your course load should challenge you academically, but it shouldn’t consume all your time. When colleges review your application and note that you’ve indicated you’re interested in pursuing a major in psychology (for example), they’ll understand why you chose to take AP Psychology as a senior instead of AP Spanish. But if you’re actually interested in psychology, if you’ve volunteered with homeless kids or done peer counseling, or been inspired some other way to learn more about how and why our minds work the way they do, be sure to help shape your academic interests with your extracurricular interests—and make time for both!
These tactics help students forecast their bandwidth and give them an opportunity to be proactive and adjust their schedules to avoid burnout.
Senior year should be the most challenging year in high school. Many colleges still reference senior year performance when making decisions, especially for deferred students, and dropping to an easy courseload may raise some red flags. While students will likely take more electives in senior year, be strategic about your choices and take advantage of the opportunity to further your academic interests.
There are many ways students can strengthen their academic profiles. If you're concerned that you're limited by the course offerings in your high school, below are a few alternatives you can consider.
Finding the right balance in course selection is an art and a science, but it is also heavily based on striking a balance between interests, availability, and rigor. If you're reading this blog, you're on the right track! By planning wisely and asking thoughtful questions, you'll not only impress colleges but set up a successful roadmap for long-term academic success.
Looking for personalized counseling? Schedule a complimentary consultation with us to learn more about how Collegewise can help you strengthen every aspect of the college application.
About Us: With more than twenty years of experience, Collegewise counselors and tutors are at the forefront of the ever-evolving admissions landscape. Our work has always centered on you: the student. And just like we’ve always done, we look for ways for you to be your best self - whether it’s in the classroom, in your applications or in the right-fit college environment. Our range of tools include counseling, test prep, academic tutoring, and essay management, all with the support of our proprietary platform, leading to a 4x higher than average admissions rates.