Planning high school courses can feel overwhelming for so many reasons. What math courses are best if you want to go to a certain college? What science track is best if you want to pursue a career in medicine? How many AP classes should a teen take, and which AP courses matter to which universities and are necessary to get into specific dream programs?
We are navigating the strategic selection of high schools courses now, which specific end goals in mind. My son has an idea what career he’d like, and we have an idea of universities he would likely be happiest to attend (and their requirements for admission), so have been researching how to select high school course curriculum paths and applying for admission to specific AP classes (AP Biology to start) and advanced math (Honors Precalculus) so he can take AP Calculus the following year, as required by most more highly rejective colleges. We received some great advice/tips from a book I recently read called How to Win the Million Dollar College Admissions Game by Dr. Agnia Grigas, a must read for parents who hope to help navigate their children either toward some of the most prestigious universities in a way that garners them a great shot at standing out and getting in, or parents like us, who want our children to create a student brand that shows they are unique and special (and maybe worth of merit scholarships to wonderful schools), but know there is no way on earth we can afford the most prestigious, most highly rejective, top 20 or top 10 schools.
With a myriad of options available, from advanced placement to vocational courses, the choices can be overwhelming when you are trying to give your child some direction, but since strategic course planning is key to devising a fulfilling and successful high school curriculum, here are a few things we learned:
1. Reverse engineering from your desired career is important. If you know your end goals (ie going to a specific college or moving toward a certain career path), work backwards to get there. If you want to get into a top university, you will very likely have to take AP Calculus BC (and ace it), which means you will have to take precalculus by about 10th grade, and have all the prerequisites for precalculus completed by 10th grade. If your student is very motivated and wants to study even more advanced maths by senior year, they have to have algebra, geometry, precalculus, and calculus all completely even earlier so that they are able to move on to Linear Algebra or other more advanced math courses. A teen who wants to pursue STEM careers, engineering specifically, would probably need to plan out these courses by middle school so they move through each subject quicker from an earlier age.
If your student has other career aspirations, preplan in the same way with courses in those subjects. There is a Capstone Diploma for students who take AP Seminar and AP Research, as well as four other AP classes (and achieve at least a 3 in each). If their interest lies in research and believe able to craft a compelling argument based on evidence and analysis, this would be something they would work toward by reverse engineering backward and ensuring they have taken all the prerequisites that allow them to move toward this goal.
Many colleges have specific requirements for a competitive program or major, so find out in advance what classes they require, or internship, experience, recommendations, etc. There is very little point in applying to a program if you haven’t fulfilled any or few of the requirements for admission.
2. Consult with Counselors and Mentors Who Have Expertise Your school counselor has an idea how you can get into , and can guide you will course selection. Mentors or people who are in your field or who have attended your dream school can also advise you. High school counselors and people who are in your corner and traversed that path before you can be extremely valuable resources when it comes to selecting the right courses, including discussing course difficulty with you to help you determine if you are ready for certain challenging courses, or even if they are necessary for your future career path and aligned with your goals.
It’s a great idea to schedule regular meetings with your high school counselor for feedback and advice. I don’t mean weekly, but don’t wait until you are applying to college to meet with him/her once and call it a day. Your high school counselor should know who you are, know your goals, and care to discuss your academic progress when you have questions and need guidance. Along the way, seek feedback and adjust when necessary for subsequent semesters or years.
3. Challenge Yourself Needless to say, better institutes of learning are not impressed with taking the easy road. If a subject is not relevant to your future goals, you may get by just fine with taking an easier version of the course or less of it (my son plans to only take three years of foreign language, for example, so he can open up a spot in his senior year for another interesting class). He also does not plan on taking an AP classes for foreign language or ELA unless required by his school. He saves the rigor for the subjects he is most interested in and that are most aligned with his goals- namely math and science. Since those matter for his specific plans, taking honors and AP classes for those subjects would benefit him (and not every science is equal- an AP biology class isn’t that important to a future Chemical Engineer, but AP Chemistry, a very challenging course, would be a great choice and also prepare the student for what their studies at university would resemble. So it’s a great idea for students to amp up the rigor for relevant courses by taking honors courses, Advanced Placement (AP) classes, and IP (International Baccalaureate) in some areas, both to prepare themselves for future rigorous study and to impress colleges they apply to attend. Balance this rigor by focusing the more challenging classes with more manageable classes for nonessential subjects (both for academic success- a great GPA helps when you are looking for merit or to get into more selective schools- and for the students well being… some students like challenge in every area, but for the rest, it’s too much and not necessary).
4. Pick Electives and Extracurriculars Strategically If your school schedule allows it, consider taking some enjoyable elective class that either allows you to explore a new interest or discover something new, or choose classes that support your main studies and show depth of interest in your chosen major. I love the idea of trying something completely new, just to pique interest in a new area that you may have been curious about but never really had time to pursue. Maybe a new passion will arise, maybe the student will realize they were heading the wrong way all along and finally found something they would love to study instead, or maybe they just learn about something that will make them a more well rounded and interesting human being. If there really is nothing that interests them in other areas, that’s when choosing to go deeper in a chosen area (engineering, literature, whatever they love) is a great idea. Most children applying to college are well-rounded. Most that apply to top colleges take a sport, learn an instrument, have interesting hobbies, and volunteer. At some point, it’s not about the breadth of interest or talents a student has, but rather how deeply they study a subject they love and intend to make a lifelong career out of, and incorporating electives that support that helps demonstrate that focused interest. The elective shouldn’t duplicate any classes they already took, but rather add to their knowledge in a specific area.
In addition to elective classes, choosing extracurricular classes strategically can enhance your high school academic resume a great deal. Activities that support your dream major or career are the best choice, but taking some fun classes that show talents that indirectly support your goals is also a great idea. Science Olympiad is a favorite for students who want to pursue a related field, but taking Speech and Debate can enhance your ability to structure an argument and debate scientific ideas in a persuasive manner. Taking a sport to get outdoors and be more active, taking culinary classes to learn to cook before you head off to dorm, or joining Social Studies club to have fun playing strategy games with fellow classmates can actually have benefits that enhance your main academic focus, expand your skillset, and improve your quality of life in fabulous ways. Who doesn’t want to make new friends, enjoy physical activities, or make their own favorite meal whenever they want?
Planning your high school courses requires careful consideration, goal-setting, and strategic decision-making. By setting clear objectives based on your career goals or college hopes, seeking guidance from counselors, parents, and mentors, challenging yourself academically with the most rigor you can handle, and exploring your interests/going deeper in study of your main interest, you can create a competitive and satisfying course schedule that both challenges you to grow and learn, and sets you up for success in your future. Your high school journey is an amazing opportunity to grow, explore, learn, and discover your passions. Embrace it fully with your whole heart, make the most of all the opportunities that comes your way, and create a high school experience you love and can look back on fondly.
