I keep hearing about 'advanced' classes in high school, but I’m not entirely sure what counts. Is it just APs and IBs, or do honors classes count too? How crucial are these to get into a good college, and how do you decide which ones to take? Any insight would be great, especially as I'm starting to feel the pressure to make my transcript look good for college apps.
Happy to help clarify! In most high schools, 'advanced' classes include AP (Advanced Placement) courses, IB (International Baccalaureate) courses, and often honors courses.
All these classes are considered more rigorous than standard classes and can boost your GPA since they often come with a weighted scale. Colleges do look favorably upon students who challenge themselves, so taking these types of classes can be beneficial for admissions, especially if they are in subjects that interest you or are related to your future major.
How many and which ones you should take depends on your strengths, interests, and the workload you can handle without compromising your grades. It's also important to balance your overall schedule; universities would rather see you excel in a few advanced subjects than struggle in many. Start with subjects you’re strong in and talk to your school counselor to help plan a schedule that's rigorous yet manageable for you!
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