I’m a freshman in high school and I’m trying to figure out my schedule for next year. In science, I would like to double up in Chemistry Pre-AP and Bio AP. But, this means I would have to drop Spanish III, since my other classes are essential. I don’t know which class, Bio AP or Spanish III, would benefit me more. Which one would colleges like to see?
More selective colleges commonly want to see level 3 or 4 in a foreign language. In addition, many colleges have foreign language graduation requirements, so completing a higher level in high school can mean fewer foreign language courses needed to fulfill such a requirement in college, or the opportunity to take higher level courses to improve your skill in the language.
Yeah, I would definitely say that Spanish III would look good for colleges. But, it also depends what you are going into. I took Spanish 1 through 3, but then took AP Chem over AP Spanish (which would be my 4th year) because I am going into a STEM field.
As @ucbalumnus says, what colleges want to see will depend upon the college and what they suggest for HS preparation. The more selective ones will want 3-4 years of a foreign language and rarely accept the desire to double up as a valid reason for ignoring their suggestions.
Would you be able to pick up Spanish III in your junior year?
@MN1007
Don’t worry too much about which classes a college would prefer to see. It makes a lot more sense to pursue what interests you and let your passion for whatever topic you select shine through in your application. Remember there are many excellent universities you could get into that aren’t competitive and there are even international institutions you could attend to and pay almost nothing!
It’s important to remember that it’s you who chooses the college ultimately. Not the college that chooses you. Does it makes sense to go to a prestigious college if it means you have to study something your note interested in? Of course not.
Also keep in mind that 2 years after graduating, your resume matters much more than your choice of college.
If science really interests you, id suggest taking the science class and them do an exchange semester or year to a Spanish speaking country. You will pick up a lot more of the language this way and that also looks great on an application.
Take Spanish 3 next year and AP Bio junior year. You’ll still have plenty of time to take Science classes Jr/Sr year whereas you could be done with the minimal foreign language sequence sophomore year if you really dislike it. (Level 3 is going to be the minimum selective 4-year colleges expect.)