Hi! I’m a sophomore in high school, and I’m filling out my course selection for next year. I will be taking AP English Language, Precalc Honors, AP US History, German III Honors, Spanish IV Honors, and one other class. I want to take AP Stats, but that would be replacing a science class and I’m not sure if that will hurt me when I apply to colleges. I took Honors Bio as a freshman, regular chemistry this year, and plan to take either regular physics or AP Bio as a senior. I want to major in business, international business, or some type of law. If I’m planning to apply to pretty competitive schools, do I need four years of science or is it better to follow my interest in business and double up on more relevant courses? Thank you for any help!
Check the admissions requirements of the schools you’re interested in to find out how many years of science they require. You could ask your GC as well, but I prefer going directly to the school websites for information like that.
Most competitive colleges require only 3 years of science. And high school isn’t only about getting into college, it’s about exploring your interests. It doesn’t make sense to sacrifice a class you’re interested in for one that just might help you get into college.
@austinmshauri Thank you, that’s what I’m trying to do now, but I’m having trouble finding the requirements for some schools. What would you recommend searching, or where on the websites should I look? @Massmomm Thanks, that’s what I was thinking, but I still don’t want to risk being ineligible for any colleges just because I missed a year of science.
Which schools are you looking at, @ivybusiness?
@austinmshauri I’m mainly looking at Northeastern University, University of Michigan Ann Arbor, McGill University (Canada), and possibly an Ivy League as a reach school, although my list might change after I finish junior year classes and take the SAT.
I’d start with each website’s freshman admission requirements page. They should have a link to their required courses for high school students.
UMichigan’s is here: http://admissions.umich.edu/apply/freshmen-applicants/college-preparation
Univ of South Carolina’s is here: http://sc.edu/admissions/apply/first_year_students/freshmanrequirements.html
Georgetown’s is here: https://uadmissions.georgetown.edu/firstyear/preparation#HighSchoolEducation
For a non-STEM major, 3 years of science is fine.
Northeastern’s is here: http://www.northeastern.edu/admissions/application-information/what-we-consider/
Northeastern’s website says they want 4 years of science.
3, with one each of biology, chemistry, and physics, should be the minimum for highly selective schools. Some want more.