How beneficial are CTE courses in high school for college admissions?

I've got a ton of interest in subjects that fall under Career and Technical Education (CTE), but I'm a bit worried about how taking CTE courses might look on my college application. Do adcoms see these classes as rigorous? Would I be better off taking more traditional academic classes or can these actually strengthen my app?

It's wonderful to hear about your interest in Career and Technical Education (CTE) courses. These classes can certainly be beneficial for your college application, as they reflect your pursuit of subjects that you are passionate about. Admissions committees generally appreciate applicants who are engaging with their interests in a meaningful way, regardless of what those interests are. So, CTE courses can indeed strengthen your application, especially if they align with your intended major or career path.

However, you should also consider the balance of your overall course load. Top colleges typically expect students to have a strong foundation in the core academic areas such as math, science, English, social studies, and foreign language. If you can combine CTE classes with advanced courses in these core areas, you will demonstrate both a solid academic foundation and a specialized interest, which is the best of both worlds.

If the CTE courses are an integral part of your academic and professional goals, then they can indeed be a beneficial part of your application, but make sure that your coursework also demonstrates that you have a diverse set of skills and experiences that you'll be bringing to campus. Good luck with your course selection!