<p>I know this has been addressed numerous times, but just how important IS 4 years of a foreign language for HYPS?</p>
<p>Right now, I want to take AP Spanish Language as my fourth year of a foreign language, but my counselor told me my schedule won't work out unless I drop Physics C. I find physics interesting, but I've already taken Physics B, so this is just a little extra to further my physics understanding. Should I go ahead and drop my Physics C class for the 4th year of the foreign language? I don't plan on majoring in anything physics related and I'm not an engineer.</p>
<p>If I keep physics, would it be acceptable to have the counselor explain in her recommendation that I tried to take 4 years of Spanish, but my schedule wouldn't work out? Or do the colleges not care?</p>
<p>I'm really lost on what I should do. Help appreciated! I have to get back to her by tomorrow. =[</p>
<p>If you find physics interesting, you can always take it in college; regardless of what you major in, it will probably fulfil some course breadth requirement. I’d like to just say “take the courses you’re interested in not the ones you think look good”, but the fact is, if you aren’t majoring in engineering, 4 years of spanish is going to help you out in admissions.</p>
<p>Thanks for the quick reply! It’s just I also really like my high school physics teacher, but I guess it’s not worth compromising my 4 years of foreign language?</p>
<p>I’m still debating, but I appreciate your input!</p>
<p>I honestly think you should just take whatever interests you more, and not worry too much about what admissions officers will think. Physics C is an impressive class and its impressive to have 4 years of Spanish under your belt, but at the end of the day its best to enjoy the classes you’re taking.</p>
<p>I definitely think you can explain in your application (or get a counselor to explain) that Physics C conflicted with Spanish so unfortunately you were only able to take one, that is exactly the sort of thing they think is important to hear.</p>
<p>Finally, another option is to self-study for the Physics C exam. You definitely shouldn’t feel the need to do this, but if you really do find physics interesting and have already taken Physics B, it shouldn’t be too much extra work. This would show that you’re dedicated to your education, and that even when something seems impossible you find a way to get around it.</p>
<p>I’d like to just go ahead and say “take whatever interests you, it won’t really matter in the future, and after all you only get one chance to be young, blah blah blah”. And it’s partly true, in that nobody will know or care what classes you took your senior year of high school once you have a bachelor’s degree.</p>
<p>But having 4 years of a foreign language will be an advantage. At some colleges, that small advantage could be the thing you need to get accepted. And from my experiences here, people who ask questions like this usually care more about the small advantage. </p>
<p>Not everyone, though. I could be taking classes at a community college next year; heck, my high school has a program where I could be ENROLLED at a community college next year. I could’ve done a lot more community service, I could’ve gotten a job… you get the idea. But I would rather enjoy high school while I can, instead of throwing away things I enjoy for things that will help me get admitted to better colleges.</p>
<p>Which do you care about more? I don’t know.</p>
<p>The way I view is: I could have done a lot of things, but I didn’t. I missed out on lots of opportunities that could have given me small boosts in admissions, so I’m trying to compensate by doing the things I know will matter. While I do enjoy physics, I think you’re right about being able to take it in college. Moreover, it’s not like I absolutely despise Spanish, and it’s not like I won’t enjoy high school without physics.</p>
<p>I’m considering self-studying for the Physics C exam if I do drop it, but I’m not sure if I can juggle that along with 8 other AP classes this year. I know it won’t help me for admissions since the score comes too late anyway.</p>
<p>amarkov, which schools in particular are you saying the small boost will be significant. I understand that is certainly true with HPY, etc, but what about places like Berkeley, Michigan, USC, etc? Is it going to be a big deal once you leave the top 10 (but stay in the top 30)?</p>
<p>I have 3 years of French, but last year I had to drop French 4 (we have an intermediate class between 3 and AP) for AP Lang. Once you stop a language at any point at our school, you’ve dropped the language forever. So, I think it depends on the situation; in my case, I think dropping Fench 4 for an AP class was the right move (if you disagree, feel free to tell me)</p>