Course popularity: What's the most commonly taken class in college?

Hey, everyone. I was wondering what the most common classes are that students tend to enroll in their college years. I'm just trying to get a sense of which courses could potentially overcrowd and which ones might offer a unique or niche experience. Any insight or ideas would be incredibly helpful for me as I look to plan my college journey.

In American colleges, some of the most commonly taken classes tend to be introductory courses that are requirements for a variety of majors. Many institutions also require students to complete a set of general education courses which leads to large enrollment numbers in these classes.

For instance, courses like English Composition or College Writing are usually required by all students, regardless of their major, to ensure they have strong written communication skills. Similarly, introductory courses in a wide range of subjects - from Psychology 101 to Intro to Economics - can also be quite popular as they may serve as prerequisites for higher-level courses or could be part of the general education curriculum.

Introductory courses in sciences like Biology, Chemistry, or Physics are also common choices, especially for students needing science credits who may not be science majors.

Courses in Mathematics, such as College Algebra or Statistics, are other common choices. They could be requirements for certain majors or meet quantitative reasoning requirements in general education curricula.

However, this can vary significantly depending on the institution, as each college or university may have unique general education requirements or popular majors. Colleges known for specific programs (like engineering or business schools) may see higher enrollment in classes related to these fields.

As for classes that could offer a unique or niche experience, these could be found in subjects that are highly specific or in specialized majors or programs. Look out for unique classes located within your major as well as interdisciplinary courses. Some colleges offer special first-year seminars or classes exploring unique topics – anything from the philosophy of Star Trek to the history of food culture – to provide a small-classroom experience.

Again, the popularity of courses can shift and change depending on the college and the student body, so it's always a good idea to reach out to current students, academic advisors, or the registrar to get an idea of what particular courses at your intended institution are like.