High school class selection is important when you're planning to go to college.
When you're planning to start college, it's important to make sure you have taken all of the classes colleges require. All colleges are different and have their own requirements, depending on what you're planning to study. Whatever the school, however, it's a good idea to take all the basics before starting college.
Language Arts
Language arts, or English, classes are some of the most important classes you can take because they help prepare you for the writing, reading and studying you will encounter in college, as well as teaching you other valuable language arts skills. Most colleges require that you have at least four years of language arts classes on your high school transcript. Among these classes, American literature and English literature are especially important.
Mathematics
Colleges select students who have taken at least three years of high school math. Four years of math classes will benefit you even more. These math classes can be whatever type of math you like, but it is important to have algebra and geometry knowledge. A good plan for high school would be to take Algebra I, then Algebra II and a geometry class. Those students looking for more math classes may want to take precalculus, calculus or trigonometry.
Science
Like math classes, most colleges require at least three years of high school science. Four years would be even better, especially if you plan to take science-related college courses. In high school, students usually can choose from earth and space science, biology, chemistry and physics classes. Any combination of three of these classes looks good to a potential college. The easiest way to get a fourth year of science in is to take the course you didn't take previously. For example, students usually have a choice between physics and chemistry. If you chose physics, you may want to take chemistry as your fourth year of science.
Social Studies
Social studies will prepare you for college by expanding your knowledge of the world around you. Colleges generally require two and a half years, or five semesters, of social studies classes. Colleges look for students who have taken a full year of United States history studies, as well as one semester of United States government studies. Students should then choose between taking a semester of geography or world history studies. For the final semester required, students can add another semester to the U.S. government class, geography or world history studies they've already had, or they can select a class they haven't explored yet.
Other Classes
Throughout your high school career, it's important to take a variety of classes. Many colleges look for students who have taken two years of a foreign language. Art classes are also a good choice. Colleges generally want students to have taken one or two semesters in any art class. This could mean drama, drawing, sculpting, photography, music, painting, dance or any other art class. Other extracurricular classes such as computer classes, economics or psychology can also help get you into college. Take extra classes that you're interested in or that relate to what you'll study in college. Consider taking as many advanced placement classes as possible. These classes are harder but prepare you better and look better on your college applications.
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