Okay, so you don’t necessarily need to know what college major you’re interested when you’re only 14 or 15 years old. But it can be very helpful to have a sense of where you’re heading academically, especially if you’re interested in a competitive major like computer science, business, or engineering.
When you’re applying to competitive majors, admissions officers usually expect to see certain coursework on your transcript. But the thing is, those courses tend to build on top of each other. For example, you have to take Algebra II before you can take Pre-Calc.
To meet these expectations, you’ll have to plan ahead.
Let’s dive in.
Understanding Coursework Alignment with Your Intended Major
"Major alignment" means selecting high school classes that set you up for success with your intended college major.
Let’s look at an example: engineering. If you want to apply for engineering, you'll want to make sure you’re on track to take the most advanced STEM courses your school offers, which often requires you to get on an honors track starting in 9th grade.
By your senior year, you should probably plan to take these courses (or their equivalents at your school): AP Physics C, AP Chemistry, and AP Calculus BC.
These courses are about more than just course rigor. Particularly at highly selective schools, admissions officers know that students need this subject-specific coursework to be on track in the major’s curriculum.
If all of the first-year engineering majors at the school must take multivariate calculus, but the highest math you took in high school is Algebra II, then you’re not going to be ready to begin the engineering major’s course sequence. Admitting you would not be setting you up for success, so admissions officers (at highly selective schools, at least) are unlikely to admit you.
The Importance of Prerequisites
But the tricky part is that you can’t just magically take a class like AP Calculus BC in your senior year if you haven’t taken the right prerequisites.
Prerequisites are courses that you must take before you can take a high-level course.
Imagine jumping from basic geometry to AP Calculus BC… Unless you’re a math prodigy, that would probably be nightmarish.
To handle prerequisites effectively, you'll need to understand your high school's course sequence.
Classes usually build on each other: you'll need Geometry before Algebra II, or you'll have to finish Honors English before you can take AP Literature. So, planning ahead is essential. Make sure you complete the necessary classes before your junior and senior year.
If you’re not sure where to start, go visit your school’s counseling or academic advising office. They, along with your teachers, will be able to walk you through your school’s curriculum to make sure you’re on the right track.
