How many credits do I need going into senior year?

Hi everyone, I'm currently a junior in high school and trying to plan out my senior year courses. How many credits should I ideally have going into my senior year? Is there a minimum or recommended number of credits to be on track for graduation and college applications?

Hi there! The number of credits needed by your senior year can vary depending on your high school's graduation requirements, as well as the requirements of the colleges you're interested in. Generally, high schools require anywhere from 18 to 26 credits to graduate, with most students earning 5-7 credits per year. So, by the start of senior year, you'd want to have roughly 75% of those credits completed, which usually translates to around 13.5 to 19.5 credits.

For college applications, universities typically look for a strong academic record throughout all four years of high school, but they don't usually specify a credit amount. However, completing core courses (English, math, science, social studies, and foreign language) by your senior year is crucial.

I would recommend reviewing your school's specific graduation requirements and checking in with your guidance counselor to ensure you're on the right track. They can give you a personalized assessment based on the details of your academic plan.