College Admissions Prioritize Relevant High School Courses

Aiming for a diverse educational profile, colleges seek self-driven students with a strong academic background. Discover the high school courses that should appear on your transcript for a successful college application.

, and Administrator

2025 September 15 . 9:31 PM

2 min read

Which High School Subjects Are Colleges Interested In?

College Admissions Prioritize Relevant High School Courses

Making the right choices when it comes to high school classes can significantly impact a student's college application. Here are some key points to consider when planning your high school curriculum.

Firstly, taking challenging classes such as honors, AP, or IB courses in the early years of high school can provide more options for subsequent years and boost admission chances. These classes are highly valued by colleges as they demonstrate a student's ability to handle rigorous academic work.

However, it's important to remember that colleges calculate a separate GPA for foundational classes like English, math, science, and social studies. Prioritizing these subjects is crucial for college admissions, as they are given more weight in the application process. Many colleges require a minimum of two years of foreign language classes, with some recommending four years.

Choosing classes that benefit students academically and make them well-rounded is also essential. This means balancing challenging classes with electives that interest the student and provide a well-rounded education. Unusual electives or foreign languages can help colleges see a well-rounded student.

Some high schools offer college track or recommended college prep classes, which can be beneficial for students aiming for competitive colleges. Admissions officers also look favorably upon IB and AP classes on transcripts, particularly at competitive colleges.

Overextending oneself academically should be avoided, as low grades in challenging classes can hurt the application. It's important to focus energy on honors classes in core subjects while also ensuring a balanced schedule. Struggling in honors classes should prompt students to work with teachers to improve study skills.

Colleges can see senior-year classes on transcripts before grades post, so dropping difficult classes should be avoided. Self-studying for an AP test can also help a college application stand out.

Lastly, it's important for high school students to research the admission policies at their top colleges. Colleges consider what classes students take in addition to their GPA, so understanding the specific requirements of each college can help students make informed decisions about their class selection.

In summary, when choosing high school classes, students should focus on challenging themselves academically while maintaining a balanced schedule. Prioritizing foundational subjects, taking advantage of college track classes, and showcasing interests through electives can help students stand out in the college application process.