COLLEGE ENTRANCE REQUIREMENTS
Students planning to attend college should realize that requirements for college admission vary greatly, and depend on both the selectivity of the school and the specific program to which the student is applying. In general, colleges indicate that the most important factors in their admission decisions are the quality and rigor of the student’s high school program, and the student’s performance in that program. Therefore every student is encouraged to take an appropriately rigorous program of study. College admissions personnel typically look for the following pattern of high school preparation:
English 4 years
• Including writing as well as literature
Mathematics 4 years
• Algebra I, Geometry and Algebra II - plus one more year of math for those planning to major in business administration, mathematics or sciences
Science 3-4 years
• Including two years of lab science (1 year in a physical science and 1 year in a life science)
Social Studies 3-4 years
• Including U.S. History and American Government
World Language 2-3 years recommended, 3-4 years preferred
• Must be consecutive years of the same language at the high school level
STEM 1 year
• Elective in science, technology, engineering or mathematics
Humanities 1 year
• Elective
Reminder: Some schools and colleges will have additional requirements beyond those general university-wide classes listed above. This is only an example of the requirements.
Other factors considered by the colleges, but not necessarily in the order listed, are: the SAT, the ACT, SAT Subject Tests, leadership, participation in extracurricular activities, character, impressions made in personal interviews and letters of recommendation from your school counselor, teachers and others.