What's a solid list of honors classes to take for someone interested in a STEM field?

So, I’m mapping out my junior and senior year schedule and I’m leaning towards majoring in engineering or comp sci. I need advice on which honors classes would bolster my application. Could you guys share what honors classes you took and felt were beneficial? I want to make sure I'm challenging myself enough for competitive STEM programs.

Hey there! It's great that you're planning ahead for your junior and senior years with an eye toward your intended major. If you're aiming for competitive STEM programs, it's important to focus on taking the most rigorous math and science courses available at your school. Honors classes in Calculus (if available), Physics, Chemistry, and Biology are directly relevant to engineering and computer science.

Apart from the STEM classes, honors courses in English and History can still be beneficial, as even though they aren't directly connected to your intended major, they show that you're well-rounded in your academic pursuits and a generally curious person. This can also help you with the critical thinking and writing skills that are valuable in every field, and speak well of your ability to make interdisciplinary connections, which is a skill that will likely be more relevant to your success in college than it was in high school, where classes normally stand separately from each other.

Remember, though, the key isn't just to take these courses but to excel in them, as your performance will be a critical aspect of how colleges evaluate your academic accomplishments—taking a bunch of honors classes but getting D's in all of them never helped anyone get admitted to a top college. Make sure you're balancing rigor with what you can handle so that your grades and mental health don't suffer. Best of luck with your schedule planning!