With registration for next school year taking place, students from all corners of the school are being asked to decide up to four elective courses to put on their schedules for next fall. This is an important decision as the electives a student chooses to take for all four years of high school factor in to what colleges will look at come application time.
“Colleges definitely look at your entire transcript,” college counselor Jeannie Walls said. “They look at what classes you have chosen to take your entire four years of high school.”
Whether it’s because of this or a future career, some students are putting a lot of thought into what classes they sign up for every year.
“I’m taking AP Psychology because it sounds interesting and I’m thinking about having a career as a social worker,” sophomore Olivia Fowler said.
A class like AP Psychology can be a great elective course for students interested in psychology related careers. Seeing an AP elective on a transcript may help a college in its consideration of a respective student as a candidate.
“Colleges look at the rigor of class work for all classes on your transcript,” Walls said.
That means it can be important to choose classes that will challenge a student as well as classes that are interesting to that student personally. However, for some students it doesn’t mean that all electives need are AP level courses.
“I’m taking the Pre-Cal lab because a senior told me that will help with taking Pre-Cal, and he said the teacher is really good at explaining the concepts so I figured that would be a good class to take,” junior Bo Graham said. “I’m also taking choir because I love to sing.”
Taking enjoyable electives can also help colleges see what a student is interested in while also showcasing any talents an individual may have.
“Colleges look at where your interests are, where your passions are,” Walls said.
Fine arts classes look good on college applications as being a part of the well rounded student.
“I’m taking Majestics, Studio Dance and hopefully Pre-Drill,” junior Samantha Fink said. “I love to dance and I want to share that with others.”
Electives are also a great chance to develop new talents as well as old.
“I’m taking Culinary Arts because when I go to College my mom won’t be there to cook for me,” junior Becky Cummings said.
