Skip to main content
What are your chances of acceptance?
Your chance of acceptance
Duke University
Loading…
UCLA
Loading…
+ add school
Your chancing factors
Unweighted GPA: 3.7
1.0
4.0
SAT: 720 math
200
800
| 800 verbal
200
800

Extracurriculars

Low accuracy (4 of 18 factors)

Which High School Subject Correlates Most with Success?

I'm a junior currently planning my senior year schedule, I was wondering whether there's a certain subject that tends to correlate more with success in college and subsequent careers. Like, if I'm stronger in math, does that mean I'll likely be more successful than if I'm stronger in English or social sciences?

6 months ago

It's good that you're being proactive about your academic future. While there's no definitive answer to your question, studies have shown that students who take advanced math and science courses in high school often find greater success in college and their subsequent careers. This is potentially due to the fact that they help develop strong problem-solving and analytical thinking skills that prove beneficial in a variety of settings.

That being said, success isn't solely defined by one's proficiency in math or science. It's also crucial to be well-rounded, given that other subjects bring other equally important skills to the table. Skills developed in English or Social Sciences classes like critical reading, argument construction, and cultural awareness can also be highly valuable in many professions.

Furthermore, success is also influenced by other factors such as your motivation, resilience, time management skills, and passion for what you are studying. Not to mention that "success" can mean different things to different people. It's not always about earning a high income or having a high-powered career, it can also be about finding a field you love and doing something meaningful with your life.

The best advice would be to take rigorous courses in areas you're most interested in and stay academically balanced, while also exploring your interests and developing your own unique "spike" or specialty. A strong academic foundation combined with a clear passion and specialty would set you up for success, regardless of whether that foundation is in math, science, English, or social sciences.

6 months ago

About CollegeVine’s Expert FAQ

CollegeVine’s Q&A seeks to offer informed perspectives on commonly asked admissions questions. Every answer is refined and validated by our team of admissions experts to ensure it resonates with trusted knowledge in the field.