Suggested Units for Admission to Post-Secondary Schools

Two-Year/Tech Colleges	English 4	Math 2-3	Lab Science 1-3	Social Studies 3	Foreign Language 0-2
Four-Year Colleges	English 4	Math 3-4	Lab Science 2-4	Social Studies 3	Foreign Language 2-4
Highly Selective Colleges	English 4	Math 4-5	Lab Science 3-4	Social Studies 3 -4	Foreign Language 3-4

These numbers vary with the intended area of specialization of each student as well as with the demands of each school. See your counselor for information about specific requirements for your program of interest.

TIPS FROM THE EXPERTS

The single most important factor in admission decisions is your academic record. The types of courses you select, as well as the number of years you study a subject and the grades you earn, are of primary importance. According to the vice presidents of the six New England public universities in their pamphlet titled Preparing for Higher Education; a four-year college-bound student should plan a high school program to include the following:

ENGLISH: 4 years

MATH: 3-4 years, at least three, and preferably four years of college preparatory mathematics” *

SOCIAL STUDIES: 2-3 years

SCIENCE: 3-4 years "preferably three years of study devoted to biology, chemistry, and physics" **

FOREIGN LANGUAGE: 2-4 years of the same language

SENIOR YEAR: In addition to these recommendations concerning course work and overall objectives, we want to make suggestions about course schedules. Several studies have noted the tendency for high school students to avoid the more demanding and challenging courses available to them. This tendency has been especially apparent during the senior year, after most college and university admission decisions have been made. We want to emphasize that this interruption in the learning process makes the transition to college more difficult. We urge high school seniors to test their abilities at more demanding levels during their final year and to use that time period as an opportunity to experiment with new subject areas.