Hey guy, i have a dilema. For my senior classes next year… Im forced to decide between 3 years of spanish, or another AP class? Which looks better and what do colleges prefer?
<p>Some points to consider:</p>
<ol>
<li><p>A number of colleges either require 3 years of language or highly recommend it (some of those even 4 years). Thus, one major consideration is where you are intending to apply and, if you know, go to their sites and find out what the admission requirments are.</p></li>
<li><p>Even those that may require only two years may have college level language requirements that favor those who take more in high school. Example: UIUC requires only 2 years of language for admission. To graduate from the engineering school requires 3 semesters of language at the college level. However, that requirement can be met by having 3 years of high school language. In other words, take two years in high school and you still have to take language in college, but take three and you may get out taking it in college. Colleges with language requirements for graduation ( many) often work that way -- complete enough language in high school and you can skip taking it in college. Once again this depends on the schools to which you are intending to apply.</p></li>
<li><p>If you do not know yet all the colleges to which you intend to apply, then taking Spanish 3 would be recommended because you could ultimately end up wanting to apply to one of those colleges covered by the rules I mentioned above.</p></li>
</ol>
<p>If you are only applying to colleges that require (or recommend) two years or less of language and there is no additional language requirement at the college level, then you might consider the AP course.</p>
<p>Two year is usually the minimum for a foreign language, and in Calif (maybe not your state) the first two years are relatively EASY -- and colleges know that. In our growing multicultural and global society, colleges "prefer" more foreign language to less FL. The UC's recommned 3 years, for example; but for Berkeley and UCLA its an unwritten requirement.</p>
<p>But, you don't mention what the alternative ap course is, nor what your other classes have been. For example, if it's Span 3 vs. a 5th/6th year of science, then I'd rec Span 3. If it's Span 3 vs. most of so-called ap-lites, then I'd rec Span 3. But, if its Span 3 vs. a fourth year of Eng or history, then I rec the ap Eng/history class.</p>