What Does “College Prep” Mean in the Common App?

When students begin filling out their Common App, they will encounter various fields asking them to describe their academic coursework. One term that often raises questions is “College Prep.” Understanding what this label means and how to categorize different courses correctly can be crucial in presenting an accurate academic profile to admissions offices.

TLDR (Too Long, Didn’t Read)

“College Prep” on the Common App refers to the standard academic courses designed to prepare students for college-level work. These are non-remedial, non-honors, and non-advanced courses typically aligned with state or district high school graduation requirements geared toward post-secondary readiness. Most students will find that the majority of their classes fall under this category unless marked otherwise as honors, AP, IB, or dual enrollment. Properly understanding and categorizing course levels helps colleges assess a student’s academic rigor accurately.

Defining “College Prep” in the Context of the Common App

The Common App is a centralized college application platform used by over 1,000 institutions. It standardizes how students present their academic history, extracurriculars, personal essays, and more. One section of this application involves listing courses by subject areas and levels—this is where the term “College Prep” appears.

In simple terms, College Prep courses are the foundational academic classes that high schools offer to prepare students for college. They:

• Are part of the school’s standard curriculum
• Meet high school graduation requirements
• Focus on core subjects like English, math, science, social studies, and languages
• Are not classified as honors, Advanced Placement (AP), International Baccalaureate (IB), or dual credit

In most high schools, these courses make up the bulk of a student’s transcript. Depending on the school’s offerings, some students may take mostly College Prep classes, while others may pursue an honors or advanced track.

Why College Prep Matters

Using the correct course designation allows colleges to:

• Gauge rigor: Universities assess academic rigor in the context of what was available to the student based on their school’s offerings.
• Compare fairly: Admission officers compare applicants from different schools fairly by evaluating how challenging a student’s course load was within their environment.
• Understand readiness: These labels help institutions determine how ready a student is for handling the demands of college-level academics.

While “College Prep” is considered the baseline track, it still signifies that a student has undertaken courses meant to ready them for college—not basic or remedial work.

How to Identify a College Prep Course

Students (and their counselors) should be aware of how their high school categorizes courses. The best way to determine if a class qualifies as a “College Prep” course is by asking the following questions:

1. Is this course part of the core curriculum offered to all students?
2. Does it meet state graduation or college admission requirements?
3. Is it labeled as a non-honors or non-advanced course?

If the answers to these questions are yes, then it’s safe to list the course as “College Prep” on the Common App. It’s also wise to check with a school counselor or refer to the school profile, which often accompanies college applications and includes course classification details.

Other Course Levels on the Common App

In addition to “College Prep,” the Common App allows students to classify courses under these broader categories:

• Honors – Courses marked beyond the standard level, often more rigorous with increased expectations.
• Dual Enrollment – High school classes that offer college credit through a partnering college or university.
• AP (Advanced Placement) – College-level content standardized by College Board, offered in high schools.
• IB (International Baccalaureate) – Internationally standardized and rigorous courses through the IB program.
• College – College courses taken independently from high school programs.
• Other – Any course level that doesn’t fit in the common categories; often used for specialized programs.

Each level signifies a different degree of academic challenge, and colleges will consider the distribution of a student’s course levels in the context of their school’s curriculum. For example, taking mostly “College Prep” courses in a school with limited advanced programs may still demonstrate strong academic commitment.

College Prep vs. Honors and Advanced Levels

A common misconception is that “College Prep” courses are somehow inferior or less important than honors or AP tracks. However, this isn’t the case. “College Prep” fulfills educational standards and often lays the groundwork for success in future advanced coursework.

Here’s a quick comparison:

This chart illustrates that while College Prep provides necessary foundational skills, pursuing higher-level coursework where available can further demonstrate academic drive.

Tips for Reporting College Prep Courses Accurately

When listing courses on the Common App, accuracy and consistency are key. Students should follow these tips:

• Reference the School Profile: Schools usually provide profiles highlighting how courses are categorized, which students can refer to on their applications.
• Consult with a Counselor: School counselors can provide clarification on which courses should be listed as College Prep versus Honors or Advanced.
• Be Honest: Never overstate or alter a course’s level, as colleges often ask for school profiles or transcripts during the verification process.

The Role of Context in Course Evaluation

Admissions officers don’t assess rigor in a vacuum. They understand that the availability of APs or IB programs can vary significantly across schools and districts. A student taking the most challenging set of “College Prep” classes available to them may still be seen as favorably as those taking APs in schools that offer them widely.

Contextual information—such as the number of honors or AP courses offered at a student’s school—helps provide a fair comparison. As such, students should focus not only on taking the toughest courses available but also on doing well in them.

Conclusion

“College Prep” in the Common App serves as a fundamental descriptor for courses that equip students with the essential skills needed for college. While they may not have the prestige of honors or AP classes, they are a vital part of many students’ academic journeys. Knowing how to categorize and report these courses accurately allows admissions committees to evaluate them appropriately within the context of a student’s school environment.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

• Q: Are all my high school classes considered “College Prep”?
  A: Not necessarily. Only standard academic courses designed for students aiming to attend college—excluding remedial or vocational classes—should be marked as College Prep.
• Q: What’s the difference between College Prep and honors?
  A: Honors courses are more rigorous than College Prep courses and may involve advanced content, faster pacing, or deeper analysis.
• Q: Can I mark an elective like Art or Music as College Prep?
  A: If the course is part of the standard graduation pathway and focused on academic skills or enrichment, it may be classified as College Prep. It’s best to ask your counselor for confirmation.
• Q: Does taking only College Prep courses hurt my chances for competitive colleges?
  A: Not if that’s the most rigorous curriculum available at your school. Admissions teams consider context and school offerings during their evaluation.
• Q: What should I do if I’m unsure how to label a course?
  A: Consult your school counselor or academic advisor to correctly classify courses based on your