Course Selection for Rising Upper Mids

Course load

Rising upper mids typically enroll in five courses, which is a standard course load. The following circumstances may allow upper mids to take six courses:
- Taking a second foreign language.
- Taking a course offered by the Visual & Performing Arts Department.
- Taking a computer science course.
Note, that under no circumstances may students enroll in more than six courses, and learning opportunities on campus are not limited to what appears on a transcript.
An overview of the course numbering system can be found here.

Be mindful of diploma requirements. After the lower mid year, it is especially helpful to make and periodically revise your plan of study (Google Doc template). This sign up template may also be helpful with managing course preferences and electives.
Students who entered as preps generally have completed graduation requirements in Humanities & Social Sciences, Science, and Visual & Performing Arts. Depending on your entry level, you may have also fulfilled the Classical & Modern Languages requirement. Note that the College Office recommends four years in each of the core subjects.
Students who entered as lower mids must take one additional year in Humanities & Social Sciences. That course need not be another course in U.S. history.

Which level? Your Language teacher will inform you if you are being recommended for a level other than your current trajectory (i.e. if you are in CN250Y and they are recommending you for CN380Y, they would let you know; if they are recommending you for CN350Y they will not). If you have any questions about your placement, please reach out to your current Language teacher.
Diploma requirement. Students who enter Hotchkiss in their prep or lower mid years are required to complete study in Languages through the 300 level to be eligible for a diploma. More information about language course selection.

Note that incoming upper mids and seniors must have a credit in U.S. history to meet the graduation requirements. Please consult with the Head of the Humanities & Social Sciences Department, Mr. Phil Hodosy <phodosy@hotchkiss.org>, or the Dean of Academic Life, Mr. Richard Davis <rdavis@hotchkiss.org> with any questions about these requirements.

Which level? Your Math teacher will inform you if you are being recommended for a level other than your current trajectory. You should contact the Head of the Math Department, Mr. Justin Almeida, if you intend to complete summer work to advance in math or if you struggled in math over the past year. If you have any questions about your placement, please reach out to your current Math teacher and/or reach out to the Head of the Math Department.
Diploma requirement. Successful completion of any 300-level math course satisfies the graduation requirement, but students should still continue taking math as almost all colleges expect students to have 4 years of math. Your advisor should consult with the College Office if you have any questions about the details about how math fits into the college application process. More information about math course selection.

Most upper mids enroll in a Biology course, either BI350Y or BI380Y. In some circumstances, students may take other courses in science. You should pay close attention to prerequisites and consult with your advisor and science instructor.
If you are considering BI380Y or any honors course, please consult with your current science teacher and pay close attention to course prerequisites. More information about science course selection.

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