Colleges do ask what you are taking senior year, and it is important to make smart decisions about your high school course schedule. By taking at least 5 academic solids junior and senior year, you will demonstrate to your colleges that you are ready for college and serious about learning.

Take honors and AP courses if you feel you can do reasonably well without compromising your academic performance generally. Even if you don't necessarily do as well grade-wise in more rigorous courses, you will not only impress colleges with your determination but also acquire knowledge and skills that will prepare you to succeed once you get there.

Sometimes students face a choice between an AP course taught by a poor teacher with a dismal track record of preparing students for the AP test, and a regular course taught by a wonderful teacher. All I can say is that when my own child was faced with this decision, I happily went along with her decision not to take AP, even though the class she chose didn't "look as good" on her transcript. This decision may not face future students as often. The AP program is tightening up requirements for courses labeled AP, and this may help to weed out weak teachers.

Compare your record to the entrance requirements for the UW!

English

If your school offers an English course called "English" or "Language Arts," that's what you should probably be taking. If you take an elective, be sure it sounds reasonably serious. "Shakespeare's Tragedies" and "Expository Writing" are better than "Writing for TV" or the "Films of Woody Allen." If a bona fide Language Arts offering has a title that makes it sound like something else (like Journalism Writing), be sure to have your counselor explain this in the School Report.

History

Avoid courses on current events or those with clever names (like "Riots and Revolutions").  American history, European history, or American government are good bets, and offered at virtually every high school.

Math

Many students complain that math does not relate to their everyday lives, and there is some truth to that. But math is useful for several reasons: (1) to prepare to study in fields like science, engineering, architecture, (2) to get ready for the math portion of the SAT or ACT, and (3) to demonstrate you are a determined, non-slacking student. You don't have to take Calculus, especially if you usually struggle with math and do not feel you can do well, but avoid courses like "Math for the SAT" and try to challenge yourself with the highest level of math you can reasonably handle. Studies show that students who take 4 years of math tend to do better in college than students who take less math.

Sciences

You may not be planning to major in science, but having three or four years of basic sciences (biology, chemistry, physics) on your transcript is the way to go if you want to look like a serious student. Science courses like psychology, geology, and astronomy may be interesting, but are less impressive on a transcript.

Foreign Languages

Taking three or more years of a single foreign language is a good way to add depth and rigor to your transcript. For the University of Washington, 2 years of a foreign language in 7th and 8th grade is equivalent to one high school year, but for highly selective colleges, 3-4 years of high-school study is recommended.

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