Important subjects to focus on in high school?

Hey everyone, I'm a rising junior and was wondering about the key subjects that may have a prominent role in the college application review process. Are there specific subjects I should concentrate more on to look appealing to college admission officers? Any advice is much appreciated!

From the perspective of a college admissions counselor, the courses you decide to focus on in high school largely depend on your desired areas of study in college and ultimate career aspirations. If you are considering a STEM field, your performance in math and science courses will be particularly important. Similarly, for students interested in humanities and social sciences, demonstrating an ability to excel in English, history, and language classes can be key. However, across all fields of study, students should strive for a well-rounded course load that demonstrates their ability to handle a variety of academic challenges.

To make your application appealing to admissions officers, you might want to consider taking AP or honors classes in your area of interest, as well as in other subjects that are less related to your career aspirations. This shows intellectual curiosity and a willingness to challenge yourself. As an example, if you're interested in studying engineering, your schedule might include AP Calculus and AP Physics, but including AP English or AP History demonstrates that you're capable of critical thinking and communication, which are essential skills in any field.

Remember to also maintain a strong GPA across the board, as colleges look at both your weighted (with AP/Honors courses factored in) and unweighted (A = 4.0, regardless of course level) GPA. It's important not to overload yourself with difficult classes to the point where your GPA suffers. It's about finding that balance between challenging yourself and maintaining high academic performance.