Generally speaking, most colleges expect you to have:

- Two to four years of a foreign language

- Four years of English, which can include advanced composition, speech, journalism, and media literacy

- Three to four years of math, which can include algebra, geometry, trigonometry, calculus, advanced algebra, analysis, and statistics

- Three to four years of science, which can include biology, earth science, chemistry, and physics, including lab work

- Three to four years of social studies, which can include geography, U.S. history, U.S. government, world history, anthropology, economics, psychology, and sociology

- One to three years of electives such as fine arts, performing arts, computer science, computers, or technology

Actual requirements vary from one school to another—even among state universities in the same state! So check the entrance requirements for each college in which you’re interested. And remember to work closely with your counselor.