Which electives to take in high school?

I'm trying to plan out my high school classes and want to strategically select electives to boost my college applications. Any recommendations on which electives are most beneficial or well-regarded by colleges? Thanks!

Planning your high school classes carefully is an excellent way to maximize your college application potential. Electives can play a significant role in showing colleges your interests and expertise in specific areas. Keep in mind that colleges are typically more impressed by students who demonstrate depth and proficiency in a particular subject rather than those who dabble in various areas.

Here are some recommendations on selecting your high school electives:

1. Align electives with your interests and passions: Choose electives that you're genuinely interested in so that you're more likely to excel in them. Colleges appreciate students who are passionate about their chosen subjects and showcase their dedication via extracurricular activities or personal projects.

2. Strengthen your application "spike": Focusing on electives that build upon your existing strengths or desired major can help enhance your spike—a highly-developed specialty that makes you stand out to colleges. This could be anything from pursuing advanced coursework in math and science if you're aiming for a STEM major or building a strong foundation in language arts for a humanities-focused degree.

3. Consider electives that demonstrate breadth: While having a specialized area of interest is important, taking electives that showcase your well-roundedness can help paint a comprehensive picture of you as an applicant. For example, if you're a STEM-focused student, consider taking an elective in a humanities or arts subject to demonstrate your intellectual curiosity and versatility.

4. Seek out electives that develop valuable skills: Some electives can help you develop skills that will benefit you beyond high school and college, such as public speaking, critical thinking, and problem-solving. Choosing electives such as debate, journalism, or programming can enhance your skillset and provide you with valuable experiences to draw from in your college application essays.

5. Take advantage of unique offerings at your school: If your high school offers electives that are uncommon or particularly challenging, consider taking them to demonstrate your willingness to go above and beyond typical high school curricula. For instance, classes in advanced topics, interdisciplinary studies, or project-based learning could catch the eye of an admissions officer.

Remember to balance your course load, keeping in mind that colleges will consider the rigor of your overall academic schedule. Challenging yourself is important, but don't stretch yourself so thin that your grades or extracurricular involvement suffer. Good luck with your high school planning!