This is where the rubber meets the road. Nine-in-ten students come to high school saying they want to go on to college in some form or another. And who wouldn’t? It could mean a cooler job, a better home and an extra $1,000,000 in lifetime earnings.

But here’s the catch: only about half the students who want to go to college make it. Some drop out in high school, some never get into college and others go but don’t finish. What makes the difference?

You do. Sure, some kids have it easier. But one factor more than any other puts everyone on the same level, rich or poor, smart or not so smart.

It’s not grades, it’s not test scores and it’s not being head cheerleader, though all those things help. The biggest ingredient in who makes it to college and who succeeds are the courses you choose to complete in high school. Yes, that’s right, the courses.

The more college prep classes you complete, the better your odds are for success. Take all the Core Courses and you’ll be ready for just about anything. That’s because employers have said that the challenging courses required for college are also the best at helping people prepare for jobs that don’t require a college degree.

Think these courses may be too hard and hurt your grades? Believe it or not, you’re better off taking them anyway.

Students who get a “C” in challenging courses tend to do better in college than students who get “A”s in easier ones. Those taking the easy classes are only fooling themselves. They’ll have to make up for it in college, where about half the students are required to pay more money to retake high school-level classes for no credit.

Challenge is a good thing. Are you ready for it?

If you’re really serious, then you can’t assume college will take care of itself. It won’t. Many students never follow through on their dreams and miss most of the courses that could get them there. Take these three steps to put yourself on the path to success.

  1. Talk as a family about your plans. Get on the same team. Students whose parents help choose their courses are more likely to follow through and make it to college. 
  2. Tell school counselors early and often that you want to go to college and you need their help to get the best preparation. Bring the list of courses featured here with you to plan your schedule. Some students can even go beyond the Core Courses by taking some in middle school, and adding Advanced Placement or Dual Enrollment courses to earn early college credit. If you want to pursue career technical training in high school, talk to your counselor about how to fit in as much of the Core as possible so that you’ll have more opportunities for advancement in your chosen field.
  3. Ask your teachers for help when you struggle in class. It will pay off in the long run. Students who get practice asking questions and knowing where to find help are more likely to succeed in college and careers.