Why do so many take more classes than needed in HS?

I know couple of my parents friends kids who graduated this yr. They are in different ISDs in Texas and both said they went into Sr year with no credits needed to graduate, so both of them just did fast food work, internship and such. They are going to Texas Tech and A&M respectively. I dont see this among the Seniors at my school. Every Sr I know still have like 6 AP classes they took/are taking and breaking sweat like never before. What gives? I am sure they would have completed things by Jr yr. I am taking a class this summer to knock out tech credit, now I am wondering if I should have just done it regular instead of wasting the $ on it. I thought taking it now will give me more time in Jr/Sr yr on other important things. (I will be a sophomore)

Students take more classes than needed because colleges (especially competitive ones) like to see students who go above what is required. Most high schools’ graduation requirements meet the bare minimum of colleges’ expectations.

If you google each college’s common data set (google “common data set XYZ college”) and look at Section C, it will show the recommended/required HS courses. Generally this these lists have more classes than then minimum that is needed to graduate. Typically the more competitive the college the more classes are required/recommended and the higher the level of course rigor that is expected.

Students who want to apply to more competitive admission colleges will want to show senior year rigor to be more competitive in the applicant pool.

Students may also want to complete high school courses that will avoid remedial placement in college or give advanced placement in college.

It depends.
In Texas, college admissions are decided by class rank June Junior year. Senior year course selection is taken into account depending on the major but for a non selective major, a high rank is sufficient. If they’re top 10% (or top 6%) they’re okay.

However, it isnt sufficient if students are aiming for UT, a selective major (especially CS, Engineering, Business), Honors college, or an Out of State College.

Overall, in order to be competitive at selective 4-year colleges, you need

  • 4 years of English, with 1 AP if possible
  • Math through Precalculus Honors or Calculus (honors, AB, BC; Precalculus + AP Stats is okay for Humanities majors but Calculus is prefered, and exected for STEM/Business.)
  • Foreign Language through level 3, 4 or AP
  • Bio, Chem, Physics + 1 AP science (one of these for STEM, APES if Humanities/Social Science)
  • 4 years of History/Social science, including 1 AP if possible
  • an art class
  • other classes that reflect your academic strengths and interests

That being said, highly selective colleges expect 6-8 APs TOTAL. Taking 6 APs senior year is meaningless wrt college admissions and is likely to cause burn out. So, a senior year with all 5-6 core classes (as presented above) including 3 APs, plus a fun class you’ve always wanted to take (like Culinary Arts, Current Events, Theater Tech, Shop…) is 100% fine.

And also beyond just getting into a selective college, keeping up course rigor senior year prepares your for going off to college. Maintaining good study habits is important.

Oddly enough, a lot of people are not only doing it for college applications, but also because they’re interested in acquiring knowledge! (Wat??? Crazy, I know)

I disagree that an art class is required to be competitive at selective colleges.

Any type of creative outlet - art, band, choir, theater, sport, etc. - is useful but not really required.

I’ll echo the above - some people take classes because they are interested in learning, growing, etc. I would hope that it’s a lot of people. Lifelong learning, curiosity, etc., is correlated with success and happiness IME.

Some colleges have art as a requirement for frosh admission (e.g. public universities in California and South Dakota).

I don’t see any that specifically require art.

California - “ Visual and Performing Arts (dance, drama or theater, music, or visual art)”

South Dakota - for residents only - “ One year of fine arts* … - art, theatre or music (appreciation, analysis, or performance.) ”

Art = visual and performing arts, either appreciation or performance. Generally seen as a sign of intellectual curiosity, an important field of knowledge (which is also part of many colleges’ gen eds), one of those classes with “life long” benefits, and required in some states.

As quoted, those specifically do require art (inclusive of performing as well as visual art).

We need a Art credit for graduating in my district. Some Univs do need it as well. I have Choir this upcoming Sophomore year although I cant sing.