Should I advocate for new classes at my high school?

There are topics like personal finance and coding that aren't currently taught at my high school but seem super important. What would be the best approach to get these kinds of classes included in our curriculum?

Absolutely, if you feel that your high school is lacking classes in critical areas, advocating for curriculum changes is a wonderful initiative. Not only does it show college admissions officers that you're proactive and care about your education, but it will also benefit your fellow students. The best approach would be to start by gathering some evidence to support your case. This could include articles about the importance of personal finance and coding in today's job market, or statistics showing how schools with these classes have improved student outcomes.

Next, you should talk to other students and get them on board. There’s strength in numbers! If you can show that there's a significant interest in these courses among your peers, school administrators are more likely to listen. Then take your findings to a teacher who might be sympathetic to your cause or who has expertise in one of the subjects. They could help champion the addition of these subjects to the curriculum.

From there, you'll want to take your proposal to the school administration. Be prepared to address potential obstacles, such as finding qualified teachers to lead these classes or fitting them into the current schedule. Show that you’ve thought things through and that you’re presenting a solution, not just pointing out a problem.

Remember, change often takes time, so be patient but persistent. Even if the classes aren’t added by the time you graduate, you’ll have left a meaningful impact on your school, which is a significant accomplishment by itself and a great talking point for college interviews!