What Classes Should You Take?
It's fall, and solidifying your course schedule may be at the front of your mind.
Should you opt for that extra year of math, or is it better to dive into a new passion like art history? Would this hurt your college chances?
These decisions are hard, especially when you’re aiming for admission to a selective college. But the key to making the right choices lies in balancing your interests with academic rigor.
Here's my advice:
Find Your Niche
It’s about how your academic story unfolds over four years. Did you challenge yourself consistently? Did you pursue your interests in a way that reflects intellectual curiosity and a willingness to take on tough subjects? These are the qualities that stand out in the admissions process.
Colleges, especially those with competitive admissions, don’t just look at your transcript as a checklist of required courses. They take a holistic approach, evaluating how you’ve navigated your academic journey as a whole. Admissions committees are more interested in seeing a pattern of challenging coursework combined with strong performance than in whether you took a specific class or not.
Prioritize Academic Progression
Your academic journey should show a clear progression in the level of challenge you’ve taken on, particularly in your junior and senior years. Colleges look for upward trends in both the difficulty of your courses and your performance in them. Senior year, in particular, is a time to demonstrate that you’re ready for the demands of college, not a time to coast.
For example, if you’re passionate about history, taking advanced history courses in your senior year while maintaining strong grades in other subjects can highlight both your commitment and your capability. Colleges notice students who continue to push themselves, even when they have the option to take a lighter load.
Learn and Leverage Your School’s Resources
Every high school offers different opportunities, and colleges understand that. Whether your school provides Advanced Placement (AP) classes, honors courses, dual enrollment, or something else, the key is to make the most of what’s available.
Balance is KEY!!!
While academic rigor is important, it shouldn’t come at the expense of pursuing subjects you’re genuinely passionate about. Colleges are looking for students who are intellectually curious and willing to explore new areas of interest. If you’re excited about taking a new course in environmental science, even if it’s outside your typical focus, that passion can be just as impressive as sticking strictly to a conventional academic path.
Questions to Guide Your Decision-Making
When planning your courses, ask yourself:
Am I taking a mix of classes that will prepare me for the diverse challenges of college?
Do these courses reflect my academic strengths while also pushing me out of my comfort zone?
Are there subjects I’m genuinely interested in that I want to explore further?
Am I avoiding certain classes because they’re tough, or am I making strategic choices to follow my passions?
Does my course selection create a well-rounded academic profile that shows I’m ready for college-level work?
It’s also a good idea to have conversations with your teachers and college counselor. They can offer advice tailored to your goals and help you weigh the pros and cons of different course options. If you are still feeling lost reach out to see if we can help!!
Best of luck,
Melina Kazanas
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