What are important pre-requisite classes for possible engineering students?

Olivia,

Take as much math as you can. Mathematics is the universal language of engineering. It is involved in most engineering problems in one way or another. It teaches analytical reasoning, perseverance, and solving problems in steps. Good engineers need those skills. Many engineering programs are very challenging mathematically, so practice and challenge yourself in high school. Resilience to learn something difficult and to stay at until you have mastered it pays off in engineering college. My daughter, graduating in May in software engineering from a top university, said that her calculus classes were the most important of her high school career.

THE most important classes you can take in high school are the ones that teach you to speak and to write, in other words, to express yourself. Practicing these skills is important, with evaluation by others. You can take rhetoric, public speaking, debate, and more English classes. And never miss an opportunity to give a presentation! Possessing these skills will allow you to persuade people to accept you, hire you, promote you, and desire to share their knowledge with you.

Don't believe in the stereotype of the socially clumsy genius who spent countless hours in the lab, and who is tolerated by society while stumbling onto great discoveries and lots of money.

If you can represent yourself well, which takes years to accomplish, you will flourish in the field in which you have interest!