Most high school students will complete the class registration process for next year’s courses in the coming weeks. Coursework planning is an area we are very passionate about and can be one of the most significant factors in a college’s evaluation of a student.

Your high school course choices determine which classes you’ll be able to take as you move through high school; they demonstrate your willingness to challenge yourself; they help you prepare for a possible career track, and they are among the most important information about you that colleges evaluate. 

As you prepare to make next year’s selections, consider some of these ideas:

The name of the game is “rigor”. For almost all students, we recommend four years of core classes (English, math, science, social studies) and three years of a language, even if not required for graduation. Colleges want to see how students chose to challenge themselves given their particular and unique high school offerings. No matter who you are or where you are from, colleges want to see that you tried to make yourself better each year of high school. Rigor means that you are not satisfied with last year’s classes or grades. Rigor is pushing yourself to get better and stepping up to take on a challenge. It’s about choosing the best classes for your situation. Here’s what we suggest:

English

Four years of English are required for state graduation and by all colleges, so plan for English from the start to the end. In fact, it’s important to consider Pre-AP options in 9th and 10th grade to set you up for advanced classes later on. Junior and senior students might have the option to take an AP or IB English class and you want to be ready for this opportunity. 

Science

Some high schools only require three years of science, but we encourage all students to take four years of science. The most rigorous science options include biology, chemistry, and physics. We recommend seniors taking an equally challenging science course that correlates with their intended area of college study. Classes like AP Physics, AP Biology, AP Chemistry or AP Environmental Science are excellent options. A class like this will show your willingness to challenge yourself when others might be getting “senioritis.” And, most importantly, a class like this will get you ready for your first year of college by keeping you sharp and ahead of the curve in your field of interest.

Math

Regardless of what classes you took in middle school, we would recommend four years of math to prepare you for college-level work. We encourage students to work toward pre-calculus at the minimum, but landing at AP Stats, AP Calc AB or BC or even Differential Equations in your senior year is a great track to follow. Don’t let a struggle with math deter you from this rigorous choice. Many students struggle with this subject. You are not alone. Have the courage to face your fears; this will show high school rigor on your transcript and will also best prepare you for your college courses.

Social sciences 

The social sciences are great subjects to pick up an extra AP or advanced level course. Many freshmen or sophomores have the opportunity to take AP Human Geography, which can be a wonderful introductory course to the AP or IB curriculum. We encourage four years of social studies and encourage students to take world history, US history and government and/or economics. 

Foreign language

High schools don’t often require as much foreign language, so students tend to follow their own path. However, even despite what you may have taken in middle school, more and more colleges want students to have at least three years of a foreign language in high school. Taking your language all the way through 12th grade will give you the strongest transcript in your admission review. Not only that, but imagine entering a college that has a requirement of two years of a foreign language, knowing that you haven’t thought about Spanish since your sophomore year of high school? The name of the game isn’t just rigor anymore; it’s preparedness. A strong foundation in a foreign language will give you the confidence to excel in your college language courses if and when they come.

Electives

Beyond the five core classes above, most high schools require students to complete a fine art or performing arts elective. The state of Texas allows students to choose from many, many elective options and pursue certain tracks or “endorsements.” In our opinion, endorsements are much more important to the high school curriculum than they are the college admission review. We recommend choosing electives that are weighted and aligned with your interests and career goals. We love it when students diversify their transcript and pursue classes that are meaningful and challenging. Courses like Debate, AP Psychology, AP Computer Science, and others like them allow students to pursue their interests while also picking up weighted courses. 

Do you attend a high school with limited AP options? That’s okay. Take the most advanced and challenging classes offered by your high school. Colleges will evaluate you based on what your high school offers and the course choices you made over your four years at that school. We want you to take advantage of your school’s choices and choose the path of consistency and rigor. 

In summary, we suggest that you choose each of the 5 core classes (including foreign language), plus a meaningful and challenging elective each year of high school. If you are a rising freshman or sophomore, consider what AP courses you want to take later, so you can look at prep and Pre-AP courses now. 

Are there exceptions? Yes, of course! You have to balance out your courses so that you can manage it all and still have a life. And you may be an exceptionally strong student in certain areas, headed for advanced work in math or engineering; you may choose to double up on STEM courses in the second half of high school and forego a fourth year of foreign language. You may be headed for law school and choose to challenge yourself with extra social studies courses instead of the hardest science curriculum. Or you may be a language buff and choose to study two foreign languages and go lighter on the STEM subjects. 

Feeling a little unsure? Let us help you consider each subject carefully, along with what your school offers, and together we can decide on what aligns with your goals and college aspirations.