How to Choose High School Electives
How to Make Your High School Electives Stand Out to Colleges
What are electives? These are classes outside the required high school curriculum that you get to choose from. You may find elective classes like art, music, journalism, computer programming, and business.
While primarily seen as a chance to learn something new, choosing electives is also a way to make yourself stand out when applying for college.
Tips for Choosing High School Electives That Colleges Look For
What's a school elective that could make your college application shine? Many high schools offer a variety of classes worth exploring. Keep these tips in mind to choose courses that can give you an advantage when applying to colleges.
Pursue Your Passions.
Follow your passions when choosing high school classes. If you're unsure what you want to study, pick some subjects that spark your interest. Taking a class in an area you enjoy or want to learn more about can be fun and help reduce stress. High school electives you genuinely love could also lead to scholarship opportunities and more pursuits in college.
If your school doesn't offer the classes you want, check out the course offerings at community colleges. Many schools also let you take online courses as electives.
Maintain Balance.
Handling four or five core courses each semester leaves little room for extracurricular activities. Nevertheless, fulfilling elective graduation requirements is vital. If you have a lot on your plate, consider taking electives that only require a little after-school commitment, such as art or a foreign language.
Signal Willingness to Try Something New.
What's an elective? It should be an opportunity to try something brand new. Taking an elective can introduce you to an entirely new subject or expose you to more advanced concepts than you find in your regular classes. Taking electives is an ideal way to challenge yourself and stay motivated throughout high school. You may even discover a new talent or interest. More importantly, your electives show that you're willing to venture outside your comfort zone, try something new, and expand your horizons.
Enhance Your College Application.
Choosing a good elective can help you when you apply to college. One way to use electives is to explore potential majors or otherwise prepare for the college experience. Consider using those class slots in your schedule to learn more about majors that interest you.
You can also take general electives focusing on college prep, critical thinking, public speaking, and other relevant skills you'll use later. Seeing these on your transcript could make your application more appealing to the college admissions panel.
Elect to Take Courses That Colleges Recommend
Did you know that just taking your school's required courses may not be enough to meet the admissions requirements at some colleges? For example, some colleges want to see that you've studied fine art or taken four years of a foreign language in high school. Admissions officers want you to have a solid foundation of learning that you can build on in college.
To ensure you're choosing the right elective classes, take these steps:
- Explore your interests.
- Research course requirements for colleges and universities you're interested in attending.
- Talk with your school counselor or college admissions professional.
Show Colleges Who You Are
Did you know that just taking your school's required courses may not be enough to meet the admissions requirements at some colleges? For example, some colleges want to see that you've studied fine art or taken four years of a foreign language in high school. Admissions officers want you to have a solid foundation of learning that you can build on in college.
Strengthen Your High School Transcript
One of the most important pieces of your college application is your high school transcript. Admissions officers want to see you earn good grades in challenging classes. If you choose electives you're excited about and will work hard to master, your interest and effort will show in your grades.
- Talk to your counselors and teachers to help you determine which electives will meet the requirements of the colleges or types of programs you're considering.
- Use College Search to see what specific colleges require.
- Check out High School Classes Colleges Look For to get an idea of the courses college admissions officers want to see on your transcript.
FAQ
What are electives in high school?
A high school elective is a course that's not part of your core curriculum. Electives are usually required for high school graduation, but you can take whatever classes interest you. Electives give you a chance to learn new skills and explore career paths.
Do your high school electives matter?
Electives matter because they give colleges another example of your interests and academic ability. They also expand your horizons beyond academia and indicate to schools that you have more to offer than just your educational requirements.
Why are electives important in high school?
Choosing electives in high school demonstrates an interest in new areas of study while showing your willingness to branch out and try something new. School electives prepare you for tomorrow, setting the stage for new interests, college majors, and career paths. Although they may seem like "extra" classes while you're still in high school, electives can be critical to your future success.
What’s the best elective to take in high school?
There's no "best" elective. What's appropriate for you depends on your goals. If you have a specific major you wish to pursue, use your electives to prepare. The most impressive electives include college preparatory classes or courses that revolve around skills you'll carry into college and beyond.
Do electives affect your grade point average?
This can vary based on the school or district, but elective classes may impact your GPA. Your grade point average is a standardized way to view your academic achievement. It includes both core and noncore classes. That's why taking elective courses you can excel in can be a good idea. Check with your high school counselor or an administrator to understand how your school weights electives in the grade point average.
How many electives can you take?
The number of electives in high school that are available to you depends on your school. Electives are a graduation requirement, and the exact number of course credits you need can differ from one school to the next. Speak with your counselor for guidance.
Once you’ve decided on your core classes, you can choose electives to fill the remaining slots in your schedule.
What’s the difference between elective and core subjects?
Core classes are mandatory classes you must take to meet graduation requirements in the subject areas of English, math, science, and social studies. World languages might also be considered a core class in some schools.
Electives fall outside the scope of core classes. Schools may require electives to graduate, but you may be allowed to choose the electives that you want to take, depending on your school’s offerings.
What are some common types of electives offered in high schools?
High schools provide their students with a broad range of elective classes based on the school's curriculum, student population, and resources. These electives include fine arts, foreign languages, social studies, math, and science.