<p>I am taking 5 ap classes next year for sure but am mulling over which ones to take. Btw(Our school has block scheduling, so no classes are a year long. )
I am planning to go into science or engineering, so taking more science aps would be beneficial in that respect, but how badly do I need 4 years of language in high school for colleges?
Schedule 1:
AP Physics Newtonian Mechanics 1 semester
AP physics E/M 1 semester
AP Calc AB 1.5 semester
AP COmpgov 1 semester
Honors Chem-1 Semester
English(regular) 1 semester
AP Spanish 1 semester.</p>
<p>OR, I could take regular chem over the summer, and have this schedule
AP Physics Newtonian Mechanics 1 semester
AP physics E/M 1 semester
AP Calc AB 1.5 semester
AP COmpgov 1 semester
AP Chem-1.5 Semester
English(regular) 1 semester
As you see, AP Spanish can't fit in this schedule.
(I'll fill in the 9 week slots w/ gym and an elective).</p>
<p>One consideration is that many schools have language requirements - unless you have a 4 or 5 on the AP exam, or above a certain level on the SATII, they require you to take language classes when you get there. You might decide that it’s a better use of your time to take the Spanish in high school so you can opt out of the language requirement in college. </p>
<p>There’s always a lot of debate on here about schools that say they ‘prefer’ 4 years of a language. To some people that means if you don’t, you have black mark on your record. Others think it’s not a big deal if you are otherwise an attractive candidate. You’ll have to decide for yourself what ‘prefer’ means - ask the admissions officers when they visit your school what it means to them.</p>
<p>Lastly, a suggestion - you can take language coures on-line and at your own pace if you don’t care about getting school credit for it. You can then report to the school that you pursued a fourth year of language independently, without having to take up a slot on your school schedule for something you’d rather do.</p>
<p>I am a proponent of foreign languages. I am one that thinks four years, or equivalent, is important if at all possible. I would seriously seek out taking the fourth year at your local CC over the summer, then taking AP Chem during the regular school year. Online courses are a great idea for some subjects, however foreign language isn’t one that I would suggest if you have an option of taking it with a teacher. I would then take the SATII in the event that your potential university will accept a specific score to fulfill your language requirement. Best of luck.</p>
<p>See if the schools you want to go to exempt you from your language requirement if you take the AP test…languages are supposedly much harder to take in college so it might be worth while…</p>
<p>^That being said, some top colleges don’t accept them anyway, while others only need 3 years of HS level language - so first check what their policy is.</p>
<p>It depends on the colleges you are aiming for but also whether you have a shot at getting into what you are aiming for.</p>
<p>Is there any reason one of the Physics can’t be dropped to accommodate your dilemma?</p>
<p>Check each school as to the value of AP chemistry versus Spanish in the context of admission and graduation requirements.</p>
<p>Note that “four years of a foreign language” usually means completing the fourth level of the language in high school.</p>
<p>I dropped AP Euro for AP Latin. So I suggest finish Spanish, that shows persistence.</p>