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Preparing for College: Choosing the Right Courses in Junior High and High School

American Council on Education

The American Council on Education and ACE are registered trademarks of the American Council on Education and are used with permission.

The following list of courses provide only a general guideline of courses. School graduation and college entrance requirements vary by institution. Students and parents should consult their school guidance counselor and college admissions office for a more complete list.

Courses students should take in middle or junior high school to prepare for college.

Math:  Every year, including algebra I in the 8th grade and geometry in the 9th grade. Algebra and Geometry are the foundation for all college math and science courses.

English, Science, History or Geography:  Every year. Along with math, these subjects form the core of academic preparation for college.

Foreign Language, Computer Science, The Arts:  Most colleges expect students to have taken some classes in art and foreign language and all colleges expect that they will know how to use a computer. Students should take advantage of every opportunity to learn about these subjects.

Courses students should take in high school to prepare for college

Subject

Minimum Years

Types of Classes

English

four

  • Composition
  • American Literature
  • English Literature
  • World Literature

Mathematics

three to four

  • Algebra I (if not completed in 8th grade)
  • Geometry
  • Algebra II
  • Trigonometry
  • Pre-calculus
  • Calculus

History and Geography

two to three

  • Geography
  • U.S. History
  • U.S. Government
  • World History
  • World Cultures
  • Civics

Laboratory Science

two to three

  • Biology
  • Earth Science
  • Chemistry
  • Physics

Foreign Language

two to three

  • French
  • Spanish
  • German
  • Latin
  • Russian
  • Japanese

Visual and Performing Arts

one

  • Art
  • Drama
  • Dance
  •  

Electives

one to three

  • Economics
  • Psychology
  • Statistics
  • Computer Science
  • Communications

© 2006  American Council on Education

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