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Although each university has the final say in
admissions decisions, Michigan's public universities have agreed
that students who plan to attend a four-year college must meet the
following requirements:
ENGLISH
(4 years required)
Take English every year. The ability to read critically and to
understand what you read is essential for success in college and in
most work situations. It is as important to be able to express
yourself clearly as it is to understand what others have written.
College courses typically require the ability to organize and
present information and ideas in written form, and the most
successful students are those who learn these skills while in high
school. You should also develop your capacity to speak clearly and
concisely and to be a good listener. Traditional courses, such as
American and English literature, help you improve your writing
skills, reading comprehension and vocabulary.
MATH
(3 years required; 4 years strongly recommended)
You need algebra and geometry to succeed on college entrance exams,
in college math classes and in most careers. Take them early on, and
you'll be able to enroll in advanced science and math in high school
– and you'll show colleges you're ready for higher-level work.
College prep math classes include algebra, geometry, algebra II,
trigonometry and calculus. Colleges and universities are putting
more emphasis on math when they consider a student for admission.
Recent studies show that
finishing a
course beyond the level of algebra II (for example, trigonometry or
pre-calculus) more than doubles the odds that a student who enters
post-secondary education will complete a bachelor's degree.
SCIENCE
(2 years required; 3 years strongly recommended)
Our world is becoming much more complex as a result of new
technology and innovations. An understanding of scientific concepts
will help you deal with everyday life situations and open the doors
to a number of challenging career options. Science teaches you to
think analytically and apply theories to reality. Laboratory classes
let you test what you've learned through hands-on work. Six
semesters are recommended: two semesters in biology, two semesters
in chemistry and/or physics, two semesters in earth/space sciences,
advanced biology, advanced chemistry or physics.
SOCIAL STUDIES
(3 years required)
As
you study the social sciences, you will see how political, economic
and social conditions relate to each other. Understand world events
that are happening now by studying the culture and history that has
shaped them. Social sciences round out your core curriculum. Take two
semesters of U.S. history, one semester of U.S. government, one
semester in economics, one semester in world history or geography
and one additional semester in the above or other areas.
FOREIGN
LANGUAGES
(3 years strongly recommended)
Language is the basic means of thought and expression. By studying
foreign languages you gain a better understanding of different
cultures and the diversity among the peoples of the world. Foreign
language study also helps you understand the structure of our own
language.
Many colleges require at least two years of foreign language study,
and some prefer more.
THE ARTS
(2 years recommended)
Research indicates that students who participate in the arts often
do better in school and on standardized tests. The arts help you
recognize patterns, discern differences and similarities and
exercise your mind in unique ways, oftentimes outside of a
traditional classroom setting.
COMPUTER
LITERACY
(1 year recommended)
More and more college courses and jobs require at least a basic
knowledge of computers. Computer skills also can help you do
research and school work better and faster.
OTHER
CONSIDERATIONS
Advanced Placement (AP®)
Try out college-level work, master valuable skills and, with
satisfactory grades, maybe even receive college credit. More than
1,400 higher education institutions award credit based on
satisfactory AP Exam grades. Learn more about the AP Program at
www.collegeboard.com. |