High school course selection directly impacts college admissions, scholarship eligibility, and career readiness. Colleges evaluate both the rigor of courses taken and the grades earned across all four years.
10 steps across 1 sections
1. Steps Process
- Understand graduation requirements. Review your school's and state's graduation requirements for total credits needed in each subject area (English, math, science, social studies, foreign language,...
- Learn about course levels. Understand the hierarchy of course rigor:
- Regular/College Prep: Standard courses
- Honors: Advanced pace and depth
- AP (Advanced Placement): College-level courses with an end-of-year exam that can earn college credit
- IB (International Baccalaureate): Internationally recognized program with a comprehensive curriculum
- Dual Enrollment: College courses taken during high school for both high school and college credit
- Plan a four-year course map. Work backward from graduation requirements and college goals:
- English: 4 years (take honors/AP when possible)
- Math: 4 years, progressing through Algebra I, Geometry, Algebra II, Pre-Calculus, and ideally Calculus
Common Mistakes
- Taking the easiest path
- Overloading on AP courses
- Ignoring interests
- Dropping foreign language too early
- Not planning for prerequisites
Pro Tips
- Show an upward trajectory
- Align APs with your intended major
- Use 10th grade as exploration year
- Consider summer courses
- Talk to students who have taken the course