<p>Is it math, science, english, history, and world language?
Or is language considered an elective?</p>
<p>I suppose it depends but generally what do you think?</p>
<p>The main four core subjects are math, science, English, and the social studies. Language is more of an elective, at least where I’m from.</p>
<p>its math, science, english, social studies.</p>
<p>foreign languages, although extremely critical, are generally electives.</p>
<p>For what purposes? For college admissions it is a core class, as it is a requirement to many places. You should take foreign languages before electives such as economics, psychology etc.</p>
<p>Nope, foreign language is considered a “core”. Generally speaking, top colleges like you to have at least 5 cores every semester, which would be one of each of the five core areas. If you don’t take one, you need to double up elsewhere.</p>
<p>Music, art, and theater students work a little differently, check with your GC for exactly how to do those areas.</p>
<p>Economics and psychology are great courses for doubling up, I wouldn’t make them my main core classes.</p>
<p>MrMom62 is exactly right. Foreign language might be an elective for purposes of high school graduation, but for college apps it is absolutely a core class. Nearly all colleges require at least two years, most require at least three and the more rigorous colleges require or suggest 4 years of foreign language.</p>
<p>Foreign Language is considered the 5th core. 4 cores do not include it. When the schools say core subjects, it usually refers to the 4 cores.</p>
<p>Billcsho brings up a good point. Why are you asking us this? If it’s to figure out your recommenders, a teacher in a foreign language course is just fine.</p>
<p>When colleges say they want 5 core classes every year they mean math science history foreign language and English. for the purpose of applying to selective colleges you need 4 years. and as was mentioned if you lack in one area you need to ‘compensate’ in another for example if you don’t have calculus you would need AP foreign language or if you don’t have that 4th year of language you would need the most advanced math class offered either through high school or dual enrollment. etc etc</p>
<p>^ I am not sure one core can be compensated by another. If it is recommended (e.g. 4yr recommended), it may. But it said “required”, it is required.</p>
<p>For college admission at most colleges core courses needed in high school are math, English, sciences with labs, social studies (which can include history, government, economics and at many psychology, sociology and anthropology), and foreign language. (If your high school considers foreign language as an elective you cannot assume the colleges to which you apply are the same. Colleges expect you to know what is required regardless of what your high school does and it is not a valid excuse to assert your high school did not require something so you did not take it.) Some (such as UCs) also include art and music as core courses. Colleges will either require a certain number of years in core courses for admission or “recommend” a certain number of years (many high ranks are in the recommend group but you should consider those as being close to requirements). What most colleges consider for admission is your record in core courses and ignore others; for example your grades in health, PE, driver’s ed, and vocational courses are ignored.</p>