Selecting your courses

Part 6

Success in AP also helps you in other ways. AP helps you stand out in the admission process and offers the opportunity to learn from some of the inspiring teachers in the world. Learn more about AP program.

For more help in choosing courses use college search to look up a specific college’s academic requirements to be sure you are on track to attend the college of your choice.

If you have concerns about your class schedule or progress in school, set up a meeting with your school counselor, teacher or advisor. There are many resources to help you with the process, and with achieving your personal, college and career goals. Without goals, you meander all sorts of directions. Goals give you purpose, direction, enthusiasm, and passion for that which you really desire. Define your goals deliberately, evaluate your goals often and make changes as necessary, work hard to achieve your goals, and continue working hard until you actually do reach you goals.

CHOOSE THE RIGHT!!!

Selecting your courses

Part 5

The arts

Research indicates that students who participate in the arts often do better in school and on standard tests. The arts help you recognize patterns, discern differences and similarities, and exercise your mind in unique ways, often outside a traditional classroom setting.

Many colleges require or recommend one or two semesters in the arts. Good choices include studio art, dance, music and drama. Many students look within their own repertoire of talents and identify their artistic abilities and take college classes to develop their talents.

Advanced placement program

To be sure you are ready to take on college level work, enroll in the most challenging courses you can in high school, such as honor or AP courses. Research consistently shows that students who score a 3.0 or higher on an AP exam typically experience greater academic success and college graduation rates than students who don’t take AP.

Work hard in your righteous pursuits, and you will reap the benefits of self-fulfilling and job satisfaction. Don’t take short cuts just to “get by” instead, take challenging and difficult roads (courses) and reach higher mountain peaks of achievement.

CHOOSE THE RIGHT!!!

Selecting your courses

Part 3

Science

Science teaches you to think analytically and apply theories to reality. Colleges want to see that you’ve taken at least 3 years of laboratory science classes. A good combination includes 2 semesters of each of the following:

·       Biology

·       Chemistry or physics

·       Earth/ space science

More competitive schools expect you to take four years of lab science courses. You can add 2 semesters in one of the following subjects:

·       Chemistry or physics (the science you didn’t already study)

·       Advanced biology

·       Advanced chemistry

·       Advanced physics

CHOOSE THE RIGHT!!!

 

Selecting your courses

Part 2

The following subjects and classes are standard fare for success in high school and beyond, whether you plan to attend a 4 year or 2 year college.

English (language arts)

Take English every year. Traditional courses, such as American and English literature, help you improve your writing skills, reading comprehension and vocabulary.

Math

You need algebra and geometry to succeed on college entrance exams and in college math classes and in many careers. Take them early on. That way, you’ll be able to enroll in advanced science and math in high school, and show colleges you’re ready for higher level work.

Most colleges look for students who have taken three years of math in high school. The more competitive ones require or recommend four years. Each school has its own program, but some of the courses typically offered are:

·       Algebra 1

·       Algebra 2

·       Geometry

·       Trigonometry

·       Calculus

CHOOSE THE RIGHT!!!

Selecting your Courses

Part 1

The academic rigor of your high school courses is an important factor in the college admission process. College admission officers see your high school course schedule as a blueprint of your education. They’re looking for a solid foundation of learning that you can build on in college.

To create that foundation, take at least five solid academic classes every semester. Start with the basic and then move on to advance courses. Challenging yourself is part of what makes school fun; but you need a firm grasp of the fundamental before going on to more advanced work.

CHOOSE THE RIGHT!!!