Five Classes Selective Colleges Want to See

How do you separate myth from fact regarding your high school curriculum when you’re seeking acceptance into a selective college? At JRA Educational Consulting, we know how; we help you craft the right course load that’s a vital piece of the admissions puzzle. 

Through personalized college admissions guidance, we help students to nurture their unique strengths while planning their high school curricula to improve their college applications.

While each student's strengths and aspirations differ, certain core academic courses ─ regardless of your intended major in college ─ stand out universally in the eyes of elite colleges. These five may well enhance your college admissions profile:

1. Advanced Placement (AP/IB) English

When selective colleges review applications, they are looking for students who think critically and express themselves clearly. AP and IB courses offer you a chance to dive deep into challenging literature and sharpen your critical writing skills.

This isn’t just about checking a box on your transcript; it’s also about demonstrating your ability to engage with complex ideas and articulate your thoughts in a crafted manner. 

How?

You’ll analyze a range of texts—from classic novels to contemporary essays. This type of exposure both hones your analytical skills and improves your understanding of different cultures and perspectives. You’ll learn to compose compelling arguments in refined essays, vital for success in college and beyond.

No matter your future college major, strong communication skills are pivotal, making AP and IB English courses invaluable. Writing well pays dividends, whether you’re drafting a research paper for a social science class, crafting a compelling narrative in a humanities course, or formulating a hypothesis about string theory.

These courses lay the foundation for the type of critical thinking and expressive writing that professors look for, regardless of your intended major.

Your involvement in literature circles or writing clubs, and even participating in debates can further enhance this experience and show your commitment to mastering this essential skill set. We can help you identify these opportunities and incorporate them strategically into your academic profile with our expert college admissions counseling.

Remember, the more you engage with the material, the better prepared you’ll be, not just for college applications, but for the challenges that await in higher education and in your professional life.

2. Advanced Mathematics

Advanced mathematics courses, such as AP Calculus and AP Statistics, represent more than just numbers and formulas; they communicate a student’s analytical capabilities and dedication. These classes challenge the student with concepts that require both critical thinking and perseverance.

Colleges are searching for students who can tackle complex problem-solving situations, as this skill set is crucial in higher education and beyond.

By pursuing advanced math, you demonstrate your ability to handle academic rigour AND your readiness for subjects that will involve quantitative analyses, like business, economics, engineering, computer science, or the natural sciences.

Prowess in advanced mathematics signifies a disciplined approach to learning. It shows admission committees that you can tackle challenging coursework and adapt to new concepts —“must” traits that will serve you well in college and beyond.

In summary, including advanced mathematics in your high school curriculum strengthens your college admissions application and lays a strong foundation for your future studies and career aspirations. So, embrace the challenge—your commitment may just set you apart as a thoughtful and prepared candidate for selective colleges. 

3. Laboratory Science

For those selective colleges, the fact that you are taking laboratory science courses like biology, chemistry, and physics (preferably at the AP, IB, or Honors level) is hardly a matter of just padding your transcript; rather, it’s an opportunity to demonstrate your capacity for critical thinking and hands-on problem-solving.

These classes push you beyond rote memorization and require you to engage in experimentation, data analysis, and scientific reasoning—crucial skills in today’s fast-evolving academic and professional landscapes.

Laboratory sciences empower you to observe real-world phenomena, develop hypotheses, and conduct experiments to test theories. This can deepen your understanding of the scientific method and improve your ability to think analytically and work collaboratively in teams — a key skill for college and beyond.

Think about it: the precision and attention to detail needed in your lab work translate directly into valuable competencies that colleges highly regard.

Excelling in these courses can enhance your application by signalling your readiness for advanced study, even if you hope to avoid science courses in college. Admission committees appreciate candidates who have demonstrated success in challenging classes, particularly those that require both intellectual rigour and practical application.

Strong performance in laboratory sciences can indicate a solid foundation for future success in various fields, including medicine, engineering, technology, and even non-stem fields.

In short, laboratory science courses prepare you academically and empower you as a thinker and a doer. They open doors to a wealth of exploratory opportunities and showcase your readiness for the challenges of higher education.

So, as you plan your high school curriculum, consider making laboratory sciences ─ especially biology, chemistry, and physics – a key component of your academic journey. It’s not just about getting into college; it’s about laying the groundwork for a future packed with possibilities.

4. Foreign Language Study

As part of our college admissions consultation, we often advise students to extend their language study as far as their schedules allow, especially if they’re targeting highly selective institutions.

Mastering a foreign language means more than vocabulary and grammar; you’re immersed in a new culture with its fresh perspectives. Selective colleges appreciate applicants who showcase this intellectual curiosity and the ability to engage with diverse viewpoints.

By committing to three or four years of a single language, you demonstrate perseverance and a strong dedication to mastering a skill that requires time and effort.

Foreign language studies foster critical thinking and communication skills that are invaluable in higher education. The nuances of a foreign language can sharpen your analytical abilities, thereby making you a more compelling candidate to admission officers.

Striving for fluency not only enhances your academic profile but also prepares you for a world that increasingly values cross-cultural communication and understanding.

More than an option, incorporating foreign language studies into your high school curriculum is an opportunity to enrich your educational experience and broaden your horizons. Whether aiming for a niche major or simply wanting to stand out in the applicant pool, the commitment to language learning highlights your adaptability and cultural sensitivity, qualities that are becoming essential in our global society.

And, it may be a springboard to one or more semesters abroad during your undergraduate education!

P.S: If you detest studying a foreign language, keep in mind that the minimum requirement for college admission tends to be two years of the same language. More selective colleges far prefer three, four, or even five years of the same language. But if you simply must stop short of three or four years, make sure your curriculum includes five core academic subjects each year.

5. Social Studies/Humanities

Courses like US history, government, and economics – preferably at the AP or IB level, consider the essential framework of our society and encourage you to think critically about the world. They challenge you to analyze events, understand human diversity, and consider the impact that historical occurrences have on contemporary issues.

This breadth of knowledge is key to developing your analytical skills—yet another trait that admission committees actively seek in applicants. Understanding these subjects can also help you grasp the key components of a strong college application.

By engaging in these subjects, you demonstrate a commitment to understanding the complexities of human interaction, governance, and economics. These areas of study can significantly enhance your application by showcasing your ability to think critically and articulate nuanced views. They prepare you for discussions about societal challenges, ethical dilemmas, and global citizenship—qualities that selective colleges esteem.

Your solid foundation in the humanities signals your ability to engage in thoughtful discourse and offers a lens through which you can meaningfully perceive the world around you. It enriches your academic profile and equips you with essential skills for your future coursework and career aspirations.

So don’t shy away from immersing yourself in Social Studies or the Humanities; these classes could be your stepping stones toward becoming a well-rounded applicant. Our college admissions counseling team can help you make smart academic choices in the humanities that align with their long-term goals and reflect genuine intellectual engagement.

6. OOPS – one more! Computer Science

During our college admissions consultations, we encourage students to consider computer science as part of their course lineup, especially if their interests lean toward STEM or business.

If you can fit in a computer science course or two (again, preferably at the AP or IB level), it will complement the rest of your high school curriculum and add to a solid foundation for college and career. Yes, computer science is a core academic subject in its own right – it’s not science and it’s not social science… but it does count as a core class.

When AP or IB courses Aren’t an Option…

AP and IB courses aren’t for everyone, and some schools don’t offer many of them. What can you do to best prepare for challenging college-level academics and to appease the college admission gods?

Take the most challenging courses you can comfortably master in each of the five core subject areas: English, math, science, social science, and foreign language ─ and computer science. Make sure that you take at least five core academic subjects every school year. It is crucial to have support throughout the entire process to enhance your chances of acceptance into top-tier universities.

Personalized Guidance and Mentorship

At JRA Educational Consulting, we know that each student is unique, with individual strengths, interests, and goals. Our approach to college admissions guidance goes beyond just suggesting a list of courses; we delve into the student’s personality, academic performance, and career aspirations to create a well-rounded plan that showcases his or her unique capabilities.

We connect students with experienced mentors—educators and professionals who provide essential support and insight into college admissions. This mentorship can be invaluable. It offers students a firsthand look at the challenges and benefits of a rigorous academic path, while also helping them hone skills that colleges value, such as leadership, critical thinking, and effective communication.

Furthermore, we understand that taking on challenging coursework can be intimidating. Our team is here to help students overcome these obstacles, whether through personalized study plans, time management strategies, collaborative study sessions, or professional tutoring. We emphasize the importance of cultivating resilience and perseverance – crucial traits for success in any field.

Our college admissions counseling doesn’t stop at transcripts—it’s a full-circle process that supports the whole student. By ensuring you engage in a challenging, yet achievable course load, and by providing consistent mentorship, we empower you to stand out in the admissions process — not just as a student but as a committed, well-rounded individual ready to contribute positively to your chosen institution.

Let us help you transform ambition into achievement and take the necessary steps toward a successful college application.

Ready to Build a Smarter, Stronger Academic Plan for Your College Admissions Process?

Our team at JRA Educational Consulting offers hands-on college admissions guidance for your unique strengths and goals. With personalized mentoring, one-on-one college admissions consultation, and curriculum planning, we’ll help you make the best academic choices: starting now.

Reach out to us at (844) 438-1600 or email our college admissions consultants at  info@jraeducationalconsulting.com and take the first step toward your future.