What classes should I focus on before college?

Hey everyone! I'm a junior trying to plan out my senior year. Which classes should I focus on to strengthen my college applications? Should I take more AP classes, or should I opt for easier electives to boost my GPA?

The classes you choose to take in your senior year should align with your academic interests and future college goals.

If you're interested in attending a competitive college or university, or you're pursuing a STEM, humanities, or social sciences major, consider taking advanced courses in those areas. Admissions officers generally look for students who have shown rigor in their coursework, and Advanced Placement (AP) or International Baccalaureate (IB) courses can demonstrate this well.

For example, if you're interested in majoring in biology, taking AP Biology would signal to colleges that you're already pursuing rigorous coursework in your field of interest. This not only prepares you for the rigor of college courses but also demonstrates your intellectual curiosity.

However, remember to balance your schedule. Taking on too many demanding courses might overwhelm you and could result in lower grades, affecting your GPA. It's a common mistake to overload AP classes, thinking it will impress colleges. While AP classes are valuable, colleges are more impressed by students who took a challenging, but manageable, course load and excelled, than students who overloaded and had their grades slip.

As for electives, these are a great way to show a broader perspective or to demonstrate dedication to a particular interest. If you want to major in journalism, for example, taking a journalism or an English elective could be beneficial.

Remember, while your course rigor is important, your actual grades are too. Do not jeopardize your GPA by taking on too much. Align your courses with your interests, and strive to maintain a balance between academic rigor and your well-being.