I’m going into my junior year of high school. I want to get into the theatre program at USC. I go to a small performing arts school that doesn’t offer any honors and only 2 AP. I’m only taking one because the other is world history. I already took regular world history my freshman year. I’m taking dual credit not for college credit but a more rigorous curriculum. I want to make myself more competitive by taking online classes. They’re expensive I can only take 2. Should I take two APs or two more years of foreign language? Two APs might put unnecessary stress on me with other classes, theatre, and clubs. It’s a boarding school with a long schedule it would be hard to find the time. It’s a two year school I just transferred here and completed Spanish 1&2. This school doesn’t offer foreign language. I was thinking of having dual credit plus a community college class for a more rigorous curriculum and taking Spanish 3&4 online. I know I could handle two regular Spanish courses between junior and senior year. Can anyone give me advice on which situation is more worth it? I’m really nervous about this.
What are the APs? USC do accept AP Credit with a minimum score of a 4, however little of the APs actually are useful credit - the majority of them go to elective credits.
Honestly, I think the foreign language is more beneficial.
APs are not everything. Not only are three-four years of a foreign language appealing to colleges, but some also require that many. With dual credit, you can indulge in the classes you want at your CC and take the AP exam at the end as well. As already said, the majority of APs actually go to elective credits.
The APs are english and world history. I already took regular world history. There’s no reason to take AP world history right?
@KayMoore15 at my school world history is a 2 year course, 1st year its honors or regents world history; second year its AP, honors, or regents world history so there is a reason to take AP world history. Does your school count foreign language taken in middle school towards high school?
No it doesn’t count. I’ll have to see if I can take AP world history. I didn’t know if people normally take the regular class and then AP.
@KayMoore15 Its a NY thing because of the regents
Actually, regular “world history” includes basic geography and is typically a freshman class, whereas AP WH often is a senior class; you can absolutely take APWH.
As for your choices: take foreign language. Top colleges want to see 4 years of a foreign language even if they don’t require it (plus, since there typically are foreign language proficiency requirements to graduate from college, it ensures a decent placement for you at USC and fewer college language classes for you to take.)
Do what you enjoy, don’t regret high school when your 60.
Neither of them are useful credit at USC unless if you major in that or something closely related, which from what your thread says you seem like a person to go into the Arts.
Therefore, go foreign language. If you have 4 years you will be highly competitive. When it comes to foreign language, 2 years is actually the norm.
It sounds like foreign language would be the best option for me thanks.
Elefish92: actually, 2years is only the norm at the least competitive 4-year colleges. Top colleges like USC want 3years but 4is considered best.
(The rule for top universities/LACs is one eachbof English, Math, Social Science, Science, and Foreign Language, every year, plus 1-3 personl choices, 5/year being honors/Ap)