<p>Hello, I'm new to the fourm so it's nice to meet all of you. I've actually have been on the site before but never need to make an account. However, I have since encountered a problem:</p>
<p>Apparently there is a conflict in my schedule and I have to choose between AP US History, and Honors Spn IV (This is due to the fact that I am a junior and taking a senior spanish course). I am forced either to drop down in history, or move to AP Spanish (which I am not sure I can handle). I don't have the option of dropping to second track in Spanish as that course conflicts with another part of my schedule. I am, however afraid that if a drop Spanish this year I will not be able to pick it up again my senior year. On the other hand, I do very well in history and have worked with the AP teacher before, so I am reluctant to drop the class. So, my question is, how much do colleges want a student to take four years of language? If it helps, I am looking at majoring in physics.</p>
<p>This is tricky, but a very common problem. Both of my kids have been in a very similar situation and the resolutions were different for each. Finding the best resolution for you would require knowing a bit more about the flexibility available at your school (do they allow self-study of AP classes? Would they allow you to attend the AP Spanish class time, but study the Spanish III, or whatever, texts and such?), which AP history-related classes you have already taken, plan to take, or are allowed to take), etc. </p>
<p>DS2 ran into this problem in 10th grade, and his Mandarin teacher let him move from Man. 1 to Man. 3. He, basically studied both Man. 2 and 3 that year and the teacher recommended that he stay with the Man. 3 class and move to 4 his junior year instead of going back with his original class to 3 his junior year. It turned out to be a great thing for him, but he did have to be self-motivated to keep up and catch up with the Man. 3 class.</p>
<p>DS1 had the same problem with two AP/IB classes, so he took one and self-studied the other (a subject he excelled in and enjoyed self-studying), taking the AP test for both at the end of the year.</p>
<p>There are many good resolutions possible, but their viability’s depend on many variables that we don’t know. Sometimes, a creative approach can work best for everyone, but you might have to sell your teacher and guidance counselors on thinking outside the box. Learning to advocate for yourself now will help you immensely in the future. Good luck!</p>
<p>My school is rather strict with scheduling, and they don’t offer any free periods (or if they do it is hidden very deep in the course selection book). I did know one person who took honors history last year and self studied for the AP exam but it was entirely outside of school and he was exceedingly good at memorization. As for Spanish, all students taking the AP class are required to take the AP test, which I do not think I would do well on. Getting into AP classes at my school requires department approval and is reserved for a certain number of students. I am set to take:
- AP US History (now up in the air)
- AP Physics
- AP English (Language and Comp.)
Next year I hope to take (pending department approval):
- AP Calculus BC
- AP Statistics
- AP English (Literature and Comp.)
- AP Government and Politics
- And perhaps some course partnered with universities in the area (Engineering, etc.)</p>
<p>I never considered self-studying a course. I would be reluctant to try it with an AP (I’m not sure I trust myself that much 
), but I might be able to find a Spanish tutor. Of course, I also have an open course spot now. I could switch language as well, and try learn Arabic, Mandarin, or Latin, but I’m not very good at language so I wonder if I should just take a computer elective. </p>
<p>I think you should give AP spanish a try. Its designed to be a 4th year course anyway. You may be surprised with how well you do. What grades have you gotten in spanish, if you dont mind me asking?</p>
<p>I think I averaged out at about around a 90-91 for the year. But when we register for Spanish courses last year my teacher looked kind of relieved when I said I wanted to go into honors. I think he would have dissuaded me from going into the AP class. It’s not that I’m missing the work ethic, but I cannot hear the language, for example, my teacher will correct students and I hear the same pronunciation twice (think Hermione: It’s LeviOsa, not LevioSA). Admittedly I have become better, but it is still a difficult subject for me.</p>
<p>Personally, I would not recommend dropping a level in history. You need US history for graduation, and since you have the ability, you might as well take AP.</p>
<p>I would try AP Spanish; it’s really not that bad.</p>
<p>At the end of the day, there are only a handful of colleges that recommend/require 4 years of a language:</p>
<p><a href=“https://www.asdk12.org/depts/world_lang/program/HS/University_WLReq.pdf”>https://www.asdk12.org/depts/world_lang/program/HS/University_WLReq.pdf</a></p>
<p>If you’re not planning on applying to any of those, it really does not matter if you take 3 years of Spanish vs. 4. Keep in mind that many universities will have a foreign language requirement for graduation, so the more proficient you get in high school, the fewer courses you have to take in college.</p>
<p>For admissions purposes, 3 years of one language and one year of a second is much less desired than four years of a single foreign language. If you are unable to resolve the issue, and end up with only three years of Spanish, and there are no community college options to take a course, your GC can explain the scheduling conflict in the Secondary School report.</p>
<p>Again, I’d still try to give AP Spanish a try.</p>
<p>Thanks for the list. Did you take AP Spanish (or any other AP language)? I am curious because from what I understand there are two AP Spanish tests, one with listening and one without it.</p>
<p>@BigBang13 there are two different AP Spanish classes/exams. There is AP Spanish Language and AP Spanish Literature (which in my area is less common- its not offered everywhere). </p>
<p>There are 2 Spanish SAT Subject tests, one with listening and one without. Both AP Spanish tests have a listening component. I took AP Spanish Language. AP Spanish Literature is usually offered after AP Spanish Language, and as guineagirl noted, is less commonly offered.</p>
<p>Oh, okay. I’m looking at my course catalogue and it says that we take the language exam. I know that my school’s AP Spanish class is highly oriented towards listening and speaking, which I suppose is to help with the exam but makes the class more difficult (at least in my opinion).</p>
<p>@skieurope Thanks for clarifying. That makes more sense.</p>
<p>Tiebreaker is teacher quality (so APUSH wins) … but remember language proficiency is useful for almost everyone (and two foreign languages is better than one) so it is not just about whether schools other than Harvard and Michigan prefer 4 years of HS language. So don’t give up on finding good ways to get the foreign language skills. I wish I knew more than two languages well.</p>
<p>You have gotten a lot of really good advice here and many options explored. I also wonder if it wouldn’t be possible to take AP Gov this year and AP USH next year? Colleges don’t really care what order you take the classes in. That way, you would still get another year of Spanish before AP next year. Just another option. I wouldn’t drop down in rigor on your history, though.</p>
<p>I will promise you one thing: As long as your schedule shows adequate rigor in comparison to your peers at YOUR school, you will not be penalized by colleges for getting creative with your scheduling. :)</p>
<p>@2018RiceParent I think you made a good point about teachers, I hadn’t thought of that. </p>
<p>@happykidsmom I would defiantly consider that, but AP Government is reserved for seniors. </p>
<p>The other option is for me to take AP Spanish senior year which might be good if I can improve my foundation of the language on the weekends. Would colleges count skipping a year against me if I can only go up to AP Spanish anyway?</p>
<p>
No. The challenge will be keeping your Spanish fresh in the interim year.</p>