Any tips on picking online high school English courses?

Hi folks, I'm currently a junior, and my school’s English offerings are a bit meh. I’m considering enrolling in an online English course to challenge myself and explore literature more deeply. I'm slightly anxious about choosing the right one, though. Does anyone have experience with this? I'm particularly looking for something that will both look good to colleges and genuinely improve my skills. What should I be looking for? Thanks in advance!

Hi there! It's great to see you're eager to deepen your literary knowledge and skills. When choosing an online English course, I suggest looking for accredited institutions, as college admissions teams want to know that your instruction meets their standards for rigor.

Also, make sure the course offers advanced content that goes beyond what you're learning at school, such as AP English Literature or college-level courses. Otherwise, schools may wonder why you didn't just take the offerings at your high school. To check how the course might be viewed, consult your school counselor to ensure the credit is recognized and to see how it might fit into your overall academic profile.

When applications season rolls around, you might consider utilizing the "additional information" section of the Common App to explain your decision, as that would ensure admissions officers don't misinterpret it, even unintentionally. Rather, they'll get a clear sense of your desire to challenge yourself, which is obviously something every college values in applicants.

Lastly, don't forget the importance of developing a robust skill set. Find a course that offers comprehensive feedback on your writing and critical thinking—a key aspect that will not only prepare you for college-level work but also improve your writing, which is a skill that will help you with your college essays, and throughout your life. Best of luck!