Electives in High School?

I just got my high school schedule, and there's room for electives but I'm a little confused about what they exactly are. I mean, I get it's supposed to be a subject that we can choose, but how important are they really? Will it matter when I'm applying for colleges?

Electives in high school are considered 'extra' classes that aren't part of the mandatory curriculum, and they allow you to explore subjects of particular interest to you. These can range from languages, arts, and humanities to more specialized subjects like computer programming, journalism, or graphic design.

When it comes to the college admissions process, electives can indeed matter. Firstly, they can show colleges more about your interests and passions outside of the standard academic curriculum. For instance, if you're planning on studying business in college, taking courses like economics or entrepreneurship as electives could highlight your strong interest in the subject.

Secondly, electives can also contribute to your overall academic rigor, showing colleges that you're challenging yourself by taking more than the baseline number of classes.

Finally, some high school electives can be a stepping stone to advanced classes in a particular subject. For example, a basic computer science elective could lead to an AP Computer Science class.

Remember, though, that your selection of electives should also be about exploring interests, developing skills, and simply enjoying your high school experience. Balance your choices to include academic rigor, but also subjects you're genuinely interested in.

While electives are just one part of your application, they can provide colleges with additional insight into who you are as a student and what you might contribute to their campus community. So choose wisely, but also enjoy the opportunity to delve into subjects you find particularly intriguing!