Selecting Your Courses: Part 5

Selecting Your Courses

Part 5

The Arts                                                                            Research indicates that students who participate in the arts often do better in school and on standardized 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 have talents and extraordinary abilities in the arts. Students should look within their own repertoire of talents and identify their artistic abilities and take college classes to develop their talents.

Advanced Placement Program® (AP®)                                 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 honors 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-fulfillment and job satisfaction. Don’t take shortcuts 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 4

Selecting Your Courses

Part 4

Social Studies                                                                               You can better understand local and world events that are happening now by studying the culture and history that has shaped them. Here is a suggested course plan:

·      U.S. history (two semesters)

·      U.S. government (one semester)

·      World history or geography (one semester)

·      One additional semester in the above or other areas

Foreign Languages                                                                              Solid foreign language study shows colleges you’re willing to stretch beyond the basics. Many colleges require at least two years of study in the same foreign language, and prefer some more.

Learning a foreign language can be a challenge but is exciting. Repetition is the key to learning a language, and having conversations with others speaking the same language is the best way to learn this new language. Repetition is a fun way will build your skills thoroughly as you seek to master new languages.

CHOOSE THE RIGHT!!!

Selecting Your Courses Part 3

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 three years of laboratory science classes. A good combination includes two semesters of each of the following sciences:

·      Biology

·      Chemistry or physics

·      Earth\Space science

More competitive schools expect you to take four years of lab science courses. You can add two 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

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 four-year or two-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 I

·      Algebra II

·      Geometry

·      Trigonometry

·      Calculus

CHOOSE THE RIGHT!!!

Selecting Your Courses: Part1

Selecting Your Courses

Recommended Classes for College Success

Part 1

http://www.collegeboard.com/student/plan/high-school/33.html

The academic rigor of your high school courses is an important factor in the college admission process. College admission officers see your high school courses 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 basics and then move on to advanced courses. Challenging yourself is part of what makes school fun; but you need a firm grasp of the fundamentals before going on to more advanced work.

CHOOSE THE RIGHT!!!