SVJHS COUNSELING DEPARTMENT
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HIGH SCHOOL CLASSES COLLEGES LOOK FOR

If you’re in high school and you’re thinking about college — and you should be — you should know that the courses you take now matter. That’s because college admission officers want to see a solid foundation of learning that you can build on in college.
​To create that foundation, take at least five solid academic classes every semester. Start with the basics, and then move on to challenging yourself in advanced courses. The courses listed below should prepare you for success in college and beyond.

Choosing the Right High School Classes

English (Language Arts)
Take English every year. Traditional courses, such as American and English literature, help improve your writing skills, reading comprehension and vocabulary.
​

Math
Algebra and geometry help you succeed on college entrance exams and in college math classes. Take them early, so you'll have time for advanced science and math, which will help show colleges you're ready for higher-level work.
Most colleges want students with four years of high school math. The more competitive colleges prefer advanced math courses. Take some combination of the following:
  • Algebra I
  • Algebra II
  • Geometry
  • Pre-calculus
  • Calculus
  • Statistics​

Social Studies
Improve your understanding of local and world events by studying the cultures and history that helped shape them. Here is a suggested high school course plan:
  • World History / World Studies / Geography
  • U.S. History 
  • Economics 
  • Government
  • An extra half-year in the above or other areas

 
Science
Science teaches you how to think analytically and how to apply theories to reality. Colleges want to see that you’ve taken at least three years of laboratory science classes. A good combination includes a year of each of the following:
  • Biology
  • Chemistry
  • Physics
  • Earth/space science
Schools that are more competitive expect four years of lab science courses, which you may be able to get by taking advanced classes in these same areas.
​

Foreign Languages
Solid foreign language study shows that you're willing to stretch beyond the basics. Many colleges require at least two years of study in the same foreign language, and some prefer more.

The Arts
Research indicates that students who participate in the arts often do better in school and on standardized tests. The arts help you recognize patterns, learn to notice differences and similarities, and exercise your mind in unique ways.
Many colleges require or recommend one or two semesters in the arts. Good choices include studio art, dance, music and drama.
Challenging Course Work
To ready yourself for college-level work, enroll in challenging high school courses, such as honors classes, AP courses or IB-program courses. You may even be able to take college courses at your high school or a local college.

More Help with Choosing Courses
Use College Search to look up a specific college's academic requirements to be sure you’re on track to attend the college of your choice. You can also meet with a school counselor or teacher if you have questions about choosing classes and staying on track for college.

Picture

High school vocabulary to know

Academic Progress
Shows where you are in having the appropriate amount of credits toward graduation.
Course Load
Number of courses, classes, or credits you take each semester or school year.
Credit
Primary method used to determine and document that students have met academic requirements, generally at the high school level. Credits are awarded upon completing and passing a course or required school program.
Department
Division of school that is related to a subject area.
(For example, the Science Department.)
Prerequisite
Course that you are required to take before taking a more advanced course. (For example, Algebra I is a prerequisite to Algebra II.)
Transcript
A  record of your academic accomplishments in high school. It lists every class you took, when you took them, and the grade you received in each class, sometimes along with additional information such as standardized test scores and any honors you received.

WhY does my GPA matter?

Grade Point Averages are often used to determine your eligibility for college or university entrance, or for your standing on the honor roll or sports teams. To calculate your GPA, set up three columns. In the first, list your subjects. In the second, after your subject, write your letter grade. In the third column, record your points as follows:

Example

Class

Math
Science
Social Studies
English
PE
Elective

Grade

B
A
C
C
A
​B

Grade points

3
4
2
2
4
​3

Grade Points

* For Honors Courses *
*4
*5
*3
*3
4
​3
Add up the number of GRADE POINTS you've earned.

Divide the total number of GRADE POINTS by the total number of CLASSES TAKEN.
​​
This will give you your GPA.
​

18      /      6      =      3.0

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  • WELCOME
    • SVJHS COUNSELING PROGRAM >
      • COMPONENTS
      • STANDARDS
      • MINDSETS & BEHAVIORS >
        • 1. Mindset Standards
        • 2. Behavior Standards
  • ACADEMIC
    • ASSESSMENT >
      • AZELLA
      • AZMERIT >
        • MENUS: AzMERIT >
          • CONTEXT TOOLS >
            • TOOL: Highlight
            • TOOL: Mark for Review
            • TOOLS: Special Symbols
            • TOOL: Strikethrough
            • TOOL: Text to Speech
            • TOOL: Question Tutorial
          • GLOBAL >
            • TOOL: Calculator/Graphing & Regression
            • TOOL: Calculator/Scientific
            • TOOL: Dictionary & Thesaurus
            • TOOL: Drop-down Menu
            • TOOL: Expand Question
            • TOOL: Equation Response Editor
            • TOOL: Help
            • TOOL: Math Notepad
            • TOOL: Navigation Buttons
            • TOOL: Paginated Stimuli
            • TOOL: Writing Guide
        • TEI's >
          • TEI's: AzMERIT/READING >
            • Editing Task Items
            • Evidence Based Selected Response
            • Hot Text Items
            • Multiple Choice Items
            • Multi-Select
            • Open Response Items
          • TEI's: AzMERIT/WRITING >
            • TASK >
              • Writing Prompt
              • Writing Guide
            • SCORING
          • TEI's: AzMERIT/MATH >
            • Equation Response Item
            • Evidenced Based Selected Response
            • Grid Item
            • Hot Text Items
            • Matching Item
            • Multiple Choice Items
            • Multi-Select
            • Open Response Item
            • Table Item
        • PRACTICE TESTS >
          • MATH Practice Test: (STUDENT)
          • MATH Practice Test: (TEACHER)
      • NAEP
    • COURSE REGISTRATION >
      • 7th Grade >
        • Academics 7
        • Electives 7
      • 8th Grade >
        • Academics 8
        • Electives 8
      • High School >
        • Campo Verde HS >
          • Sequence
        • Gilbert HS
        • Mesquite HS
    • CREDIT RECOVERY
    • HONORS
    • STRATEGIES FOR SUCCESS >
      • For Students >
        • Academic Strategies >
          • Motivation & Goal Setting
          • Memory
          • Organization and Management
          • Support Tech
          • Note Taking
          • Test-Taking >
            • Taming Test Anxiety
        • Learning Inventories >
          • Learning Style Inventory >
            • Barsch Inventory
            • Gardner Inventory of Multiple Intelligence
          • Study Skills Inventory >
            • Math (Inventory Tips)
            • Note Taking (Inventory Tips)
            • Organization (Inventory Tips)
            • Study Routine (Inventory Tips)
            • Test Taking (Inventory Tips)
      • For Parents >
        • English/Language Arts
        • Math
        • Establishing a Structured Routine
        • Homework Habits for Parents
        • Mindsets
        • Motivating Your Teen
        • Procrastination
        • Support Tech
  • PERSONAL/SOCIAL
    • "THE TEEN BRAIN"
    • ANXIETY & STRESS >
      • For Students >
        • ANXIETY >
          • Anxiety Disorder >
            • Diagnosis & Treatment
            • Types >
              • Generalized Anxiety Disorder
              • OCD
              • Panic Disorder
              • PTSD
              • Separation Anxiety
              • Social Anxiety
              • Specific Phobias
          • Managing Anxiety >
            • Calm Breathing
            • Thinking, Feeling, Doing
        • STRESS >
          • Causes of Stress >
            • Thinking Errors
          • Symptoms of Stress
          • Self-Managing Stress >
            • Calm Breathing
            • Developing a Stress Management Plan >
              • I. Stress Mgmt Plan
              • II. Stress Mgmt Plan
              • III. Stress Mgmt Plan
              • IV. Stress Mgmt Plan
              • V. Stress Mgmt Plan Template
          • Discovering Wellness
      • For Parents >
        • ANXIETY >
          • Biology of Anxiety >
            • Autonomic Nervous System
            • Hormones
            • Neurotransmitters
            • Physiology of Fear
          • Co-Morbidity
          • Diagnosis and Treatment
          • Types of Anxiety Disorders
          • Shaping Thoughts
          • Tolerating Uncertainty
        • STRESS >
          • Managing Stress
          • Shaping Thoughts
          • Tolerating Uncertainty
    • BODY IMAGE, SELF ESTEEM >
      • For Students >
        • Anorexia
        • Binge Eating Disorder
        • Bulemia Nervosa
      • For Parents
    • BULLY PREVENTION >
      • For Students
      • For Parents
    • CHARACTER STRENGTHS >
      • For Students >
        • Curiosity
        • Gratitude
        • Grit
        • Growth Mindset
        • Optimism
        • Purpose
        • Social/Emotional Intelligence
        • Self-Control
        • Zest
      • For Parents >
        • Growth vs. Fixed Mindsets
    • DIGITAL CITIZENSHIP >
      • For Students >
        • Digital Safety & Cyber Security
        • Ethical Use of Technology
        • Privacy, Surveillance & Disclosure
        • Social Media
      • For Parents >
        • Active Monitoring
        • Cyber Sexuality
        • Digital Boundaries
        • Digital Ownership
        • Guide to Digital Safety
        • Hidden Apps
        • Privacy, Surveillance & Disclosure
        • Social Media
    • DIVORCE >
      • For Students
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    • GRIEF AND LOSS >
      • For Students
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    • SOCIAL/EMOTIONAL INTELLIGENCE >
      • For Students
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    • SUICIDE AWARENESS & PREVENTION >
      • Warning Signs
      • Risk Factors
      • Intervention >
        • Help for Self
        • Help for a Friend
      • Management & Treatment >
        • Medical
        • Psychological
        • Self Managed >
          • Calm Breathing
          • Coping Statements
          • Stress Management Plan
      • Grief & Loss >
        • Newly Bereaved
        • Child Survivors
      • Healing >
        • Healing for Survivors
        • Toward Recovery
  • HS/COLLEGE/CAREER
    • HIGH SCHOOL PLANNING >
      • HS Registration Info.
      • Academics
      • Electives
      • ECAP
      • Rigor
      • Transcript
      • What to Expect
    • COLLEGE PLANNING >
      • Academic Record
      • Accreditation
      • Admissions, Retentions, Placements
      • Applications
      • Campus Life
      • Choosing the Right School
      • Entrance Tests
      • MOOC's
      • School Costs
      • Timeline
      • In the News
    • CAREER PLANNING >
      • [APTITUDES & INTERESTS] >
        • AzCIS
        • O*Net Interest Profiler
        • Skills Profiler
      • CAREER CLUSTERS >
        • Agriculture, Food and Natural Resources
        • Architecture & Construction
        • Arts, A/V Tech & Communication
        • Business Administration and Management
        • Education and Training
        • Finance
        • Government and Public Administration
        • Health Science
        • Hospitality and Tourism
        • Human Services
        • Information and Technology
        • Law, Public Safety, Corrections and Security
        • Manufacturing
        • Marketing
        • Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics
        • Transportation, Distribution and Logistics
      • SALARY FINDER
  • RESOURCE & REFERRAL
    • For Students
    • For Parents
  • CONTACT
    • Schedule Change Requests
  • {TODAY'S LESSON}
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