<p>Hey, I'm a high school student in the 2012 graduating class aspiring to become a student at Carnegie Mellon one day :D' I have to start choosing my classes for next year and I was looking for some advice on what to choose. As of next year, I have the option of dropping my foreign language class. This is something I would really really LOVE to do. Unfortunately, I know that the majority of colleges recommend 3 years of foreign language. After a quick search on College Board, I found out that CMU only requires 2 years of foreign language and does not recommend any more. What kind of impact would having only 2 years of foreign language have on my chance of getting accepted?</p>
<p>If I continue with Spanish for another year, I would have to really struggle and work to get into the A- range. In the other scenario, I take a computer programming course, receive a free A+, and have a free period everyday.</p>
<p>Mmmm, I don’t think it’s that big a deal actually. It helps probably, but I can’t see it as a bad thing if you don’t take more than 2 years. If I remember right they don’t require an extra language course when at the college itself. I had…mmm, 5 years of spanish? But I speak it so it’s my easy A.</p>
<p>Also I’d imagine computer programming looking nicer on the transcript than spanish 3.</p>
<p>But I feel odd giving this kind of advice so don’t rely on it.</p>
<p>Can you take a SAT subject test or an AP to demonstrate your ability? That might help. If you are looking at the SCS, then I think a year of programming could be a better choice. Even if you have already been programming on your own, a course is a good way to demonstrate interest. (And if it is a decently good one, you will learn as well.)</p>
<p>Since you’re a new poster-- not sure if you geniune-- but I’ll bite.</p>
<p>I don’t know what your intended major might be…but that said, there is NO guarantee you’ll be admitted to CMU and you should not make HS curricula plans based on one school - way too risky.</p>
<p>The more broadly accepted admissions criteria are 3 years of language (some Ivies at 4!!). The only other exception of a comparable school I can think of is Cornell Engineering (as opposed to Cornell CALS) which accepts 2 years of language and many other schools of far less quality/ranking.</p>
<p>It would be very short sighted to assume you are heading to Carnegie and then find yourself lacking the 3 years of language many schools will look for on your transcript should you aim to apply elsewhere.</p>
<p>I think you should post this inquiry in the “College Admissions” forum for more broadly based responses. I suspect you’ll hear the same.</p>
<p>Your major is also quite relevant…and should be added to any subsequent posts.</p>
<p>Adios Amigo!
Por favor que es problemo con espanol en su escuela?</p>
<p>Aside from the admissions requirements, some colleges require some level of language proficiency. With a solid HS base, you might be able to test as proficient.</p>
<p>I agree with mom2012and14 above that there is no guarantee of admission to CMU, so broader preparation may be more valuable for you.</p>
<p>You’d be good for CMU, but since you’re only an incoming junior I wouldn’t necessarily put all your eggs in one basket. When I was your age I thought I wanted to go to UC Berkeley or UCLA, so I didn’t take a science my senior year. I later turned both down for Carnegie and regretted not having four years of science (AP Comp. Sci only counted as a science for my class within California, sadly.)</p>
<p>Thanks for the replies. To clarify a bit more, I have already taken the AP Computer Science A exam although I haven’t taken the course. My current plan is to apply for CMU with early decision and if I get rejected attend Rutgers University. It’s a school in my area and easy to get into, especially if you live here. As of now, I’ll be dropping foreign language as a junior. If I decide that I do need 3 years, I’ll take my 3rd year as a senior. Putting aside the bigger picture, would my decision to drop language and take another year of elective overall increase my chances of getting accepted?</p>
<p>*In responses to nemom, I will be competing in various programming contests throughout next year. One of which is USACO.</p>
<p>This question gets asked here at least every six weeks or so. It is a good question, and our colleges and universities might be directly asked via admissions (get a name) when you’re planning your senior year. The goal seems to be to demonstrate advance study.</p>
<p>Most higher education institutions put on their own websites under their admit sessions what is “required” in course work for admission, and what is “recommended”. Please note that the two are not one and the same, and for higher tier schools, it’s advisable to be familiar with the “recommended” course work in foreign languages.</p>
<p>My son was just with me tonight talking about foreign languages and I once again told him to look this point up at his potential college list.</p>
<p>Yeah, that’s mainly the reason I’m asking this question. Almost all college’s I’ve checked on college board so far required 2 years of foreign language and recommended 3. Carnegie Mellon happened to be one of the unique ones where it requires 2 and doesn’t recommend for any additional years.</p>
<p>Looks like 2 years is the “required” CMU foreign language amount. But the above consortium of PA colleges (including CMU) addresses their “recommended” differently. Lamentably, no date is given to that publication, so I’d suggest calling CMU.</p>
<p>I’ve posted this before as well, but at UVA the admissions representative said that most of the other applicants will have four years of a foreign language. We took that to mean if you want to be competitive at top schools, take the language. However, it does sound as though the OP has a plan should CMU not pan out.</p>
<p>So in conclusion, while two years would improve my chances of getting into CMU, I should take three years in order to widen my possible college choices?</p>
<p>Hi, rEgonicS,
Yes - three years of a language is probably wise. Schools vary a good bit in terms of what they want. You don’t want to close too many doors at this stage. And, if you already have a 5 on the AP CS A exam (alas, they don’t have the AB anymore…) , an A in a programming course in high school probably won’t much impress CMU adcoms. And, while I can’t speak to what your high school does, you may find you enjoy Spanish more as you get past all the memorizing and into actually reading material.</p>
<p>I took German from grades 8-10 and struggled every year to get a B. As soon as my school district would let me, I stopped taking a foreign language and instead took extra math/science courses. I don’t think it hurt me at all when applying to colleges.</p>