Each year, MHS counselors meet with students to discuss their Four-Year Academic Plans, keeping in mind each student’s interests, goals, and vision as they prepare for their post-graduate experience. To best prepare for the college admission process, we encourage students to pursue the sample academic programs below; however, be aware that completion of a sample program like these does not guarantee admission, especially at the most selective schools. Also, schools vary widely in their requirements for fine arts courses – be sure to check the fine arts requirements early in your high school career for any colleges you are seriously interested in and plan your high school courses accordingly. It is common for out-of-state schools to require a full credit of high school fine art in their admission requirements.
Examples of Most Selective Institutions Recommended Minimum Program of Study
Dartmouth English 4 years at the Honors/AP Level
Duke Math 4 years at the Honors/AP Level
Georgetown Social Studies 3-4 years at Honors/AP level
Stanford Science 3-4 years at the Honors/AP Level
University of Pennsylvania World Lang 3-4 years at Honors/AP Level
Stanford offers the following advice on their website: “The primary criterion for admission to Stanford is academic excellence.We look for your preparation and potential to succeed. We expect you to challenge yourself throughout high school and to do very well. The most important credential that enables us to evaluate your academic record is the high school transcript. Remember, however, that our evaluation of your application goes beyond any numerical formula. There is no minimum GPA or test score; nor is there any specific number of AP or Honors courses you must have on your transcript in order to be admitted to Stanford.”
Examples of Highly Selective Institutions Recommended Minimum Program of Study
Colorado College English 4 years with Advanced/AP encouraged
Baylor University Math 3-4 years with Advanced/AP encouraged
Northwestern Social Studies 3-4 years Adv/AP encouraged
Reed College Science 3-4 years Adv/AP encouraged
University of Michigan World Lang 2-3 years Adv/AP encouraged
The University of Michigan offers the following advice on their website: “Academic strength, certainly as an indicator of how thoroughly you’ve been prepared to succeed in a dynamic interdisciplinary environment, is key. To that end, the amount of intellectual challenge you’ve taken on based on what is offered in your educational environment will be highly important. It will be important to take a rigorous curriculum in which you succeed and can demonstrate your intellectual skills… Show us how the combination of coursework and related activities inspired original thinking on your part. What you’ve done beyond simply taking AP courses is a very important consideration for admission. It speaks to what kind of person you are and how well you might do in a dynamic, multifaceted campus community.”
Examples of Very Selective Institutions Recommended Minimum Program of Study
Colorado State University English 4 years
University of California System Math 4 years, including at least 1 year beyond Algebra 2
Southern Methodist University Social Studies 3-4 yrs, at least 1 year of U.S. or World History
University of Colorado-Boulder Science 3-4 years, depending on major, 2 years lab-based
University of Denver World Lang 2 years minimum in the same language
Note: For these types of schools, MHS counselors recommend that students complete the minimum academic standards for these colleges, which should somewhat match our MHS graduation requirements, but also challenge themselves further with additional and/or honors coursework when appropriate. Many applicants to Very Selective colleges/universities complete 1-3 AP classes at a minimum. From CU-Boulder: “The primary factor in admission decisions is your academic achievement. CU-Boulder focuses on your grade point average (GPA) in core academics… (and) the rigor of your course selection and your best combination of scores on the SAT/ACT.
Examples of Less Selective Institutions Required Minimum Program of Study
Adams State College English 4 years
Fort Lewis College Math 4 years
Metropolitan State College Social Studies 3 years, incl 1 yr U.S. or World History
Colorado Mesa University Science 3 years, including 2 years of lab-based classes
Western State College World Lang 1 year, per HEAR requirements
Note: MHS counselors recommend that students interested in Less Selective schools plan to complete our minimum graduation requirements, and take two years of a world language, if possible. Community and junior colleges, vocational schools, and military induction require that all standard high school graduation requirements are met.