There maybe a lot of emphasis on extracurricular activities given by college admissions counselors but a student’s academic record remains the most vital part of his or her college application.
Aside from getting good grades, what can a student do to strengthen their academic record?
The primary focus of your high school education should be the core subjects: English, math, science and social sciences. Perform well in these classes because it won’t matter how many A’s you get in elective classes like gym, music or cooking.
Some high schools will list a student’s weighted GPA, giving more credit for harder classes. That is why some students can earn a 5.0 GPA. Colleges tend to focus on the unweighted number, which eliminates elective classes that can inflate the numbers. This gives them a clearer picture of your performance in the areas where it matters, and helps even the playing field for students who attended high schools that don’t have as many electives or advanced classes.
Most selective colleges also require you to have fully covered the core subjects. The requirements vary from school to school, so make sure you know if the college you’re looking at requires two or three years of science. In general, most institutions of higher education require four years of English, three years of math, two years of science and two years of history or social science. Those are the minimum requirements, but admissions counselors can tell if a student has only fulfilled the bare minimum. If you’re hoping to attend a competitive college, you should plan on an additional year of math, science and social science each.