Hey guys, so my main concern at this point is getting into Princeton SCEA (I might post a chances thread later). Basically with my extremely packed extracurricular and academic schedules, I can feasibly choose one extra online class to take. I am currently taking French II this summer, and I will finish by the start of school. My state’s virtual school offers up to French III, so I could take that as a yearlong course for this upcoming senior year, or I could take AP Art History online. I know Princeton puts a stress on foreign languages, requiring students to become proficient in one before they leave the university, so based on this, I would assume that French III would be the better option. But how much of an impact would having 3 years of a foreign language compared to 2 have? Would the additional AP look stronger? I don’t really have a personal preference. I think both would be beneficial to take, and I enjoy both fields of study equally.
Doesn’t your school offer French? Why do you think Princeton will be impressed if you take an online course?
I would take the foreign language course if given the option. Most colleges require or “highly recommend” 3 years of a foreign language, which highly outweighs any benefits of one additional AP course, so I would to that first. If you won’t you might have to make it up by taking additional foreign langauge courses in college to catch up. Additionally foreign language is considered one of the core subjects, while art history is not considered one of the more important AP courses.
Nope, my school has 1300 students but offers Spanish only because “if they offer French, everyone might want to take that.” Horrendous excuse from my school but yeah, that’s why I have to do online @CheddarcheeseMN . Taking it has nothing to do with the online aspect, just the FL aspect.
To expound on this point… will having only 3 years have any negative effect on my app to Princeton?
Do you know what Princeton itself says? (You should.)
“If possible, we expect students will complete the following courses before beginning study at Princeton: …four years of one foreign language”
Nice to know what they expect, in order to graduate. But first you need to get in.
@lookingforward I know what the website says… I know every recommended courseload… but every school has “recommendations.” It’s kind of difficult in my position when my school/state offers no more than 3 years of the language I’ve been studying since 5th grade (Rosetta Stone). And on top of that, I have friends that got into Ivies (Yale + Harvard specifically) that also recommend 4 years of a foreign language having only taken 2 years. To take a line from Yale’s website, “we only expect that you will excel in the opportunities to which you have access.” So if I have access to 3 years of a foreign language, what am I supposed to do? All that I asked was how much of a negative effect only having 3 years would have on the application (I’ve read through Princeton’s website front and back, I was just hoping someone could shed some light onto my situation)… there was no need to get snobby.
Don’t you need 4 years of a foreign language for Princeton?
@londondad They changed it from required to recommended a few years back.
“Nope, my school has 1300 students but offers Spanish only because “if they offer French, everyone might want to take that.” Horrendous excuse from my school but yeah, that’s why I have to do online @CheddarcheeseMN . Taking it has nothing to do with the online aspect, just the FL aspect.”
Sorry, but it seems like you go to an awful high school. Therefore, you should make sure that you are taking the most rigorous courseload there so the school does not hold you back from being competitive for top colleges like Princeton.
When they want four, when it’s a tippy top college with fierce competition for an admit, thousands of kids with model records and a solid self-presentation via the app and any supps, take the 3rd year of language.
You asked about getting by with 2 years and taking AP art history instead. Don’t take the Yale comment so literally that you settle for two years. it puts you at risk. You school may not offer this, but you did venture into the online. (That’s good.)
Anecdotes about kids getting in with two years shouldn’t be your default. There are cases where otherwise stellar applicants can have two years overlooked, but it’s an exception, not the rule. It’s often stem kids faced with a much higher/college level math opportunity that conflicts with when the FL is offered.
Have you taken the three years of Spanish?
@londondad You know, my school is great except when you’re trying to take a foreign language lol. It’s the top school in my county, top in the region, and one of the top in the state. My dad went in to ask why they refuse to offer French (we had a teacher this year who was certified in both Spanish and French) and that answer was the one they gave. I’ll have 10 APs upon graduation and standardized test scores above the 50th percentile for both SAT and ACT… so I’m doing good in every area except foreign language. My real purpose of this thread was finding out how much of a drawback only having 2-3 years would be. Princeton does admit students without that 4th year I know, but do you have any idea HOW important it is… Thanks for the responses.
“Optional” = mandatory
“Recommended” = very mandatory
Of course I’m kidding, but if you are reading “recommended” as unnecessary, I think you are mistaken, especially for a place like Princeton.
EDIT: I see your high school only offers 3 years, my mistake. If it’s only possible to take three years at your high school, then I suppose that would be forgiven.
Good luck!
@lookingforward Thank you for the response… I did not take Spanish because it in no way worked with my schedule. At my school, there are usually 1-2 periods for AP courses, so there’s a give and take. Besides, I came into high school knowing I wanted to take French only. I guess I could have looked into taking something with the local community college, but A. that is irrelevant at this point since it isn’t feasible and B. my schedule honestly would not have allowed it at any point in HS. I guess I have decided that I will definitely be taking French 3 to answer your question.
Thank you @STEM2017 , I know the common maxim about recommended being mandatory haha. My school really has put me in a tough spot with this, but I’m sure it’ll all work out in the end. I just hope that Princeton will understand that.
Online is fine. You’ve showed some initiative (and will have three years. Good.) If you had said you did take the 3 years of Span, that would be a different scenario. So make sure you know what the school values and needs to see in your own app, take time to consider how you will put this forth. Best wishes.
@lookingforward Thank you, I’m trying. Best wishes to you also.