Balloting may arguably be one of the most important things a student does before the end of the school year. In fact, balloting can change a student’s future and possibly their development and career. Starting this past week of March, Hughson High School has begun the process of balloting.
There are lots of things to consider when choosing classes for the upcoming school year like A-G requirements, AP classes, honors, credits, and even electives.
A-G requirements may sound familiar to many who have started their student portfolio; they encompass what is a list of courses that students must complete between their 9th and 12th grade. These courses will add up to fifteen different courses that students should take to be able to qualify for admission to a California State University (CSU) or a University of California (UC). The A is for Social Studies or History; a course that requires two years. The B is for English and students are required to have taken four years. The C is for Mathematics which has a requirement of three years but four years are recommended. The D is for Laboratory Science (Biology, Chemistry, Physics) that requires two years but three years are recommended. E is for Foreign Language which requires two years but three are recommended. F is for Visual or performing arts which only requires one year. And Finally, G is for a college preparatory elective which only requires one year. As students are balloting for their upcoming schedule, keep in mind the classes needed to complete these requirements and that several can be completed throughout one year.
Advanced Placement (AP) classes are also a big thing to consider when balloting. Students who have completed several AP classes have higher chances of admission in competitive colleges and universities. Aside from the college credits they can provide, students searching for higher chances of getting accepted in a particular CSU or UC should take AP classes. They can also give students an advantage in the college environment by preparing students for the workload and expectations of college classes. Similarly, honors classes can provide students with a boost in their record that will provide a comparison when admitted into colleges and universities.
Lastly, and probably one of the most important things to consider are credits. Students need 255 credits to graduate from high school; balloting allows for students to choose the classes they want to take to complete them. However, not taking a specific course or failing to take the necessary class can cause students problems in the future where credit recovery would be needed, which also means that students will be unable to take any unscheduled classes throughout their senior year.
Balloting is an exciting period of time but students are at times forced to make quick and important decisions. Counselors are there to help in this process to make it easier to complete; they can also answer questions and give suggestions to students when balloting or seeking help choosing classes that would best suit their needs.
