Because the rigor of a student’s chosen high school curriculum is generally the first thing a college will consider during the admissions review process, the fall semester of a student’s senior year offers a final chance to demonstrate they have challenged themselves through academics.
A senior may want to touch base with their guidance counselor or academic advisor to determine if they should consider changing or ‘upping’ their classes so they can meet very important factor in the college admissions process. They may also want to review their past courses to make sure they are not only on target to complete the criteria for graduation, but that they will also fulfill the basic course requirements held by the colleges where they plan to apply.
While these requirements can vary, most colleges and universities will want to see that a student has completed a core curriculum that includes:
- English 4 years
- Math 3 years
- Science 2-3 years
- Social Studies 2-3 years
- Foreign Language 2-3 years
- Art 1-2 years
At schools considered to be most selective (accepting 20% or less of its applicants) there will be an additional expectation for higher levels of math, science, and language arts derived from Honors, Advanced Placement (AP) or International Baccalaureate (IB) classes.
As with all aspects of the college admissions process, students need to familiarize themselves with the academic expectations at each of the schools where they want to apply. If a student is planning to pursue a specific degree, such as those in STEM programs, they will want to make sure that they have taken the kinds of classes that demonstrate their interest and abilities. When applying for a specific major, a lack of supporting curriculum can have an impact on admission decisions.
