5 Course Selection Tips

Spring is here! And that means not only a return to your extracurricular and academic routines, but a whole new set of goals and resolutions. 

Part of setting yourself up for success means selecting rigorous and strategic courses for next school year. Colleges want to see students actively challenging themselves by taking advanced coursework for all four years of high school. This means students should enroll in Honors, Advanced, and AP/IB courses whenever possible and avoid taking off-blocks unless they are using that time productively for an internship, research opportunity, or major-related work experience. Students should also pursue elective courses tailored to their intended field of study to demonstrate their interest. Keep in mind that these courses may require prerequisites, so it’s essential to plan your schedule for all four years in advance. 

We know it can be daunting to pore over your high school’s course catalog to select your academic schedule, so here are 5 tips to help you build the best schedule possible!

#1 - Understand Graduation Plans and Endorsement opportunities

High schools in Texas typically offer 3 graduation plans and 5 endorsements that students can earn by completing the necessary courses. Graduation plans and endorsements appear on your transcript and can also be listed on your resume!

Did you know? The most popular graduation plan for Texas students is the Distinguished Level of Achievement Plan (DAP), and in order to be admitted to a Texas public university under the top 10% admission law, a student must earn DAP. This more rigorous graduation plan prepares students for college-level coursework and can make students a more competitive applicant for top-tier programs as well.

Students are typically asked during their 9th grade year if they would like to pursue an endorsement—a specialized area of study—and can earn one or more endorsements by taking the required coursework throughout high school. Earning endorsements necessitates planning ahead, so it’s imperative to document your projected courses to ensure you meet all the endorsement requirements by the time you graduate. For 10th and 11th graders, it’s still possible to earn multiple endorsements, but it becomes more difficult to fulfill requirements as high school progresses. 

Endorsement Areas:

• Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM)

• Business and Industry

• Public Service

• Arts and Humanities

• Multidisciplinary Studies 

#2 - Career and Technical Education Courses offer real-world experience

Career and Technical Education (CTE) courses are specialized courses that provide students with technical training in a variety of career fields. Students walk away from CTE courses knowing how to apply their education in the workforce—they can even earn industry-recognized certifications (like becoming a certified Nurse Aide). 

There are fourteen total CTE Career Clusters, but not all schools offer all of these options. The most popular CTE programs of study include Health Science, Information Technology, Engineering, and Business, Marketing, and Finance.

#3 - AP Exams can earn you college credit 

AP exams can translate to college credit depending on the college you attend and the AP score you earn. Texas law requires state IHEs (Institutes of Higher Education) to grant credit for scores of 3 and above. However, private and out-of-state colleges may not accept AP scores or may only apply them for placement purposes but not course credit. Students can check this resource and/or contact the colleges they’re interested in to assess the required scores for different schools.

*Don’t forget—you can take AP exams without taking the corresponding course in school if you believe you’re prepared enough to earn a score of 4 or 5.

#4 - Students interested in international schools should consider the International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma Programme

For those interested in attending college outside of the US, pursuing the IB Diploma is especially beneficial. Students will take pre-IB courses in 9th and 10th grade before pursuing the IB Diploma in their final two years of high school.

Additionally, students who earn the IB Diploma and attend a public Texas college or university are guaranteed 24 hours of college credit. Even if a student doesn’t earn the full IB Diploma, IB exam scores can still earn college credit and impact course placement, similar to AP exam scores. 

#5 - Dual Credit or Dual Enrollment courses offer the flexibility to pursue major-relevant coursework

Students can earn dual credit when they enroll in a college course and receive credit from both their high school and that college. Some dual credit classes are taught at high school while others are taught on college campuses or online. Dual credit classes can also be taken during the summer—a great option for students who want to free up their schedule during the school year. 

While dual credit is accepted by most state schools, students interested in attending a private or out-of-state college should check with those institutions about their policies. Generally, it’s recommended that students stick with their high school’s AP and IB classes instead of dual enrollment to maximize credit transfer. 

*UT Austin offers OnRamps dual enrollment classes, which allow students to accept the earned college credit depending on their performance. Check out the full list of OnRamps course offerings here! 

Final Thoughts

The information we’ve shared today is a great starting point, but don’t forget to utilize the course selection resources offered by your school, especially your school counselor! If you haven’t already, take the time to schedule a meeting with them and bring specific questions and concerns to your session. School counselors are familiar with your school’s offerings, course requirements, and policies, so their help is truly invaluable in this process.

Above all, it’s vitally important to strike the correct balance between challenging yourself and ensuring you perform well in the courses you select. Take some time to reflect and consider your strengths and weaknesses so you are able to both manage your course load and remain invested in your extracurricular activities.

Want an idea of what courses might be the best fit for your major goals and application profile? Berkeley2 Academy has admissions experts who are ready to help you strategize your academic schedule. 

Our Steps Program for 7-11th graders offers personalized guidance for each step of your high school experience—from course selection to resume building and summer planning. 

Contact Berkeley2 Academy today to see how we can help!