Suggestions for College-Bound Students
The Lower Merion School District has established minimum requirements that students must fulfill in order to graduate. The information below offers recommendations that we encourage students to consider as they prepare for a competitive college admissions process. Please note that these are general suggestions. We strongly encourage families to research the schools and programs they wish to apply to and meet with their School Counselor or the Career & College Access Counselor to better understand these suggestions and how they relate to their individual post-secondary goals.
Mathematics
It is recommended that students complete the entire Integrated Math curriculum to better position themselves for college admission. Our integrated mathematics program consists of three courses in which Algebra I, Geometry, and Algebra II concepts are intentionally integrated and reinforced across the full sequence. While not all colleges require students to complete all three courses, many institutions, including large public flagship universities such as The Pennsylvania State University expect completion of this sequence at a minimum to be considered for admission.
- Integrated Math 1 - 1.0 credit
- Integrated Math 2 - 1.0 credit
- Integrated Math 3 - 1.0 credit
Science
It is suggested that students complete the three standard science courses listed below.
- Biology - 1.0 Credit
- Chemistry - 1.0 Credit
- Physics - 1.0 credit
Arts
Students planning to apply to the California State University (CSU) or University of California (UC) systems, as well as many other large public universities, are encouraged to complete coursework in the performing or visual arts. This generally includes two 0.5-credit courses or one 1.0-credit course in either performing arts or visual arts; the UC system recommends that semester-long courses be taken within the same discipline.
World Language
Students are encouraged to complete coursework in a world language, as many colleges require or strongly recommend this preparation. State system institutions typically require a minimum of two consecutive years of the same world language, while more competitive and highly selective colleges often recommend three to four consecutive years.