As of 2.27.2017, colleges do not necessarily look directly at endorsements at the time of admission, but at the rigor of classes you have taken at SHS. Rigor can include coursework within an endorsement which can show universities your vested interest in a particular area. Additionally, we do know that colleges want to see students taking the 4 core classes all 4 years which turns into a Multidisciplinary Endorsement (please see below).
We do know that if you are applying to a specific college (i.e. College of Engineering at UT or Business College at Texas A&M) then the endorsements are helpful because you will have shown interest in the field/college by taking classes related to that field/college coursework in high school. Therefore, this is not a statement that endorsements are required for initial enrollment in any post-secondary institution or program.
Look at each endorsement listed below.
You choose your electives based on those classes listed.
There may be a prerequisite for a class and that can be found in the Program of Studies under the Course Requirements tab.
Carefully read the course pathway (or sequence of courses) and plan your schedule with those classes. This is a part of your 4 year planning.
The Endorsements, then Pathways, and the courses within those Pathways are what is put into your 4 year plan along with your 4 core classes.
There are 5 Endorsements. Each student is required to graduate with at least one endorsement. Most students will graduate with 2 Endorsements (but it is not required) based on elective choices. Everyone will naturally have one endorsement in Multidisciplinary (meaning all 4 core classes all 4 years).
Students: you can download an ENDORSEMENT CREDIT CHECKLIST and see if you are on the right track to earning the credits you need to graduate.
The 5 Possible Endorsements and Classes to Enroll:
4) Arts & Humanities Endorsement: There are no active links for this as of 2.28.2017, but the main idea is 4 classes/courses in a pathway equals an endorsement.
Fine Arts Pathway -Art, Music, Theater, Dance
English Electives Pathway
Languages Other Than English Pathway - 4 years of a Foreign Language or 2 years of one language and 2 years of another.