<p>I have already paid my deposit and will attend ND in the fall. I am taking AP Spanish this year and would really like to improve my speaking skills because I would like to use spanish in my career. However, this class is extremely frustrating because when we do speak spanish (not very frequently) it is either to our partner or to the computer and our teacher never comes around and listens so I have no idea if I am even doing a good job. Second semester I would really like to improve my skills so I was thinking of dropping spanish and doing independent study with the same teacher where I would practice listening/vocabulary/writing at home and then maybe once or twice a week for 20 minutes go in and have a conversation with my teacher in spanish and get feedback. Sorry this is so long but my questions are:</p>
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<li>would I just email my regional rep to see if ND is ok with this?</li>
<li>when I email ND should I tell them my concrete plan for independent study or just ask if I can do it?</li>
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<p>if anyone has any resources that would help me with improving my spanish that would be greatly appreciated! </p>
<p>You will definitely need to notify ND of any change in your schedule. What you need to figure out is what kind of credit you’ll be getting for the independent study class. (ie, What will the class be listed as on your transcript?) Will you still be taking the AP test/expecting AP credit for this course? Telling ND that you will be taking it as an independent study course should be sufficient, but it would be best if you know what it will show up as on your transcript, because that will offer the best description of what you’re doing.</p>
<p>Edit: I misread and didn’t see that you’ve already been accepted. Don’t worry about ND “being okay” with it. I’m certain your acceptance is not contingent on whether or not you’re in AP Spanish. It should be fine, but you do still need to notify them of this change since it will be on your final transcript. </p>
<p>thank you! taking independent study won’t count as an AP class and I won’t be taking the AP spanish test in the spring because ND doesn’t accept it for placement</p>
<p>Even though you are accepted, I’d still strongly suggest that you contact ND and talk to your admissions officer before dropping an AP, Every acceptance is contingent on continued academic/personal success. My D’s friend got into a top school (not ND so I can’t comment on policies at ND, just in general) ED and when she contacted them about dropping an AP the school was definitely not OK with it and said they could consider rescinding her acceptance if she dropped the AP – so she kept the class. Hopefully if you explain your reasoning in advance you will be fine, but definitely check first. Maybe get even a brief letter from your teacher describing your plan and how your goals (speaking well) were not met in AP Spanish that you can send as back up to your decision. You will have to send your final transcript to ND so if you drop AP Spanish for independent study, it will be obvious.</p>
<p>thanks for your help! I emailed my regional rep and she said that since the reason I wanted to drop the class was because I wanted to improve my speaking skill then it is ok for me to drop it and take independent study!</p>