Do colleges prioritize honors classes over regular ones?

Rising junior here, feeling a bit uncertain about my schedule for next year. I’m wondering, when admissions officers see your transcript, how much more do they value honors classes over the regular ones? Trying to decide if I should bump up some of my classes to honors.

Hey there, rising junior! It's great that you're giving thought to your course selections—it shows you're taking your education seriously. When it comes to the courses you choose, admissions officers are indeed looking for students who challenge themselves. Honors classes are typically seen as more rigorous than regular classes and can help demonstrate your academic drive and intellectual curiosity.

However, it's important to balance rigor with what you can handle. If you feel confident that you can manage the workload and do well in these honors classes, it's a good idea to take them. This can be especially true for subjects that are related to your intended area of study or college major, as it shows depth in your knowledge. But remember, it's also crucial to achieve strong grades, so don’t overload yourself to the point where your performance might suffer.

Universities do look for robust course schedules, but they also understand not all students have access to the same opportunities or feel comfortable taking an AP or IB workload across all subjects. It's about finding the right balance and showing growth over time, so even stepping up in a few areas can make a difference.

If you're excelling in regular classes and ready for more of a challenge, bumping up a few classes to honors could indeed be a wise move. Just make sure to stay well-rounded in your studies and extracurricular commitments. Wishing you all the best with your decision!