Should I take fun electives or electives that could help me choose a career?

Pre-College Issues High School Life
1

I will be a senior next year. I have one spot left for an elective. I would love to take choir, but it would be more practical to take accounting 1, because what if I like accounting? The other electives I have chosen are French 4, pre-AP computer science 1, and theatre, because I need some fun. Which should I choose and why?

2

I’d probably say neither. I’m not sure the value added of taking both theater and choir, if having 2 arts classes come at the expense of not taking an academic class. Accounting in HS is not like accounting in college, and a HS accounting class is often targeted at (how to put delicately?) the less-than-highly-motivated student. Take accounting in college.

So I’d choose option C.

3

Are you taking Math, Science, English? Have you taken enough social studies?

4

An acounting hs level class isn’t really a difficult subject.

5

Yes. I’m taking Pre AP Pre cal and AP chem

6

I wouldn’t say that accounting is for the less motivated student. I was an honors student in HS and took accounting because I wanted to see if I liked it and found I didn’t. It was, however, useful for helping me to learn basic accounting principles. I also took an accounting class in law school, which has been helpful in managing H’s private practice. I had my youngest son take accounting in lieu of algebra 2 because he is severely dyscalculic and has zero interest in pursuing a math or stem career; he is enrolled in a BFA theater program for the fall. I think there are 2 types of students who take accounting in HS - those who struggle in other maths and need the credit and those who are interested in seeing if the subject has any hold for them.

For the OP, if s/he isn’t applying to tippy top schools and has otherwise met the requirements for HS graduation and any colleges s/he is interested in, she might as well take accounting. If she has an affinity for it, she can pursue it in college. Otherwise, why waste time in college on a class she might not like and that might slam her GPA.

My D had 2 friends, both honors math students, who took accounting in HS. Our school offers 2 levels, basic (which my son took) and college level, where you can take an exam and get credit, which these girls took. Both girls had been thinking of pursuing accounting degrees. One hated it and didn’t pursue it. The other is now a CPA.